ap psychology - health psychology

stress

physical or psychological response to events (stressors) that challenge a person’s overall functioning

physical stressors

injury, physical exertion, noise, overcrowing, excessive heat or cold

psychological stressors

interpersonal conflict, isolation, traumatic life events, time-pressured tasks, peer pressure

psychophysiological stress

mental upset that triggers a physiological stress response

social readjustment rating scale

rates stressful events in our lives from 1-100 (100 = death of spouse, 50 = marriage) — higher score = greater probability of facing a major health event within the next year

alarm

sympathetic nervous system prepares for fight or flight

resistance

body continues to expend hormones that keep system elevated

exhaustion

body exhausted, resources depleted, illness may result

primary appraisal

determine whether an event is actually a threat and then how much of a threat it is

secondary appraisal

how to cope with stressor

maladaptive

coping strategy that involves failure to remove stressors or substitute one for another

adaptive

coping strategy that involves direct action or problem-solving

psychosomatic illness

a condition in which the state of mind either causes or mediates a condition of actual, measurable damage in the body

tend and befriend phenomenon

reaction to stress involving nurturing activities to protect oneself and one’s offspring and seeking social support and connection to reduce stress

type a

type of personality who are high achievers who walk, talk, and eat quickly

type b

type of personality who’s more relaxed and calm in their approach to life