Emotion & Treatment of Mental Health

Exam 3 General Psych

Moods

Longer-lasting, less intense, and more generalized (sometimes without an identifiable cause)

Emotions

Brief, intense, and specific reactions to events

Amygdala

Brain structure crucial for processing emotions, particularly fear, and assigning emotional value to sensory information

James-Lange Theory of Emotion

Proposes that physiological arousal occurs and causes emotion

Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion

Suggests that physiological arousal and emotional experience occur simultaneously and independently

Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory of Emotion

Physiological arousal is ambiguous and requires interpretation to produce an emotion

Motivation

The psychological processes that initiate, guide, and sustain goal-oriented behavior

Intrinsic Motivation

Engaging in an activity for its inherent satisfaction, enjoyment, or challenge

Extrinsic Motivation

Performing a behavior to earn an external reward or avoid a punishment

Needs

A state of lack or deprivation that is essential for survival or well-being

Drives

An aroused, internal state of tension or a psychological manifestation of a need

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain a stable and balanced internal environment despite external changes

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Describes the relationship between arousal (stress) and performance

Low Arousal

Individuals may feel unmotivated or bored, leading to poor performance

Optimal Arousal

Individuals are alert, focused, and motivated, resulting in their best performance

High Arousal

Individuals may experience anxiety, nervousness, or cognitive overload, which can impair their performance

Biopsychosocial Model

Emphasizes the interaction between biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding and treating health and illness

Biological Factors

Genetics, physical health, brain chemistry, and other physiological processes

Psychological Factors

Thoughts, emotions, behaviors, coping mechanisms, and personality

Social Factors

Culture, socioeconomic status, family dynamics, social support, and access to healthcare

Exercise

Benefits the brain by improving cognitive functions like memory and thinking, enhancing mood by reducing anxiety and depression

Eustress

A challenging but rewarding form of stress that energizes and motivates you

Distress

A negative, harmful form of stress that feels overwhelming

Allostatic Load

The cumulative wear and tear on the body caused by chronic stress

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA Axis)

A major neuroendocrine system that regulates the body's response to stress

Hypothalamus

When a stressor is perceived, it releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

Pituitary Gland

CRH stimulates it to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) into the bloodstream

Adrenal Glands

It travels to the adrenal cortex, prompting it to produce and release cortisol

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

The three-stage physiological response to stress (Alarm, Resist, and Exhaustion)

Alarm Stage

"Fight-or-flight" response, which prepares you to deal with the situation / Physiological changes include increased heart rate, blood pressure, and the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline

Resistance Stage

The body attempts to adapt to the stressor and resist it / Physiological levels remain elevated as the body works to repair itself and if stress continues, the body’s resources are used at an unsustainable rate

Exhaustion Stage

The body's resources are depleted after a prolonged period of stress / This stage can lead to a breakdown of the body's systems and is associated with increased risk for diseases, fatigue, and mental health issues

Psychological Risks of Heart Disease

Depression, anxiety, chronic stress, social isolation, and hostility

Problem-Focused Coping

Aims to solve the underlying issue causing the stress by taking direct action

Emotion-Focused Coping

Aims to regulate your emotional response to the stressor to feel better about the situation

Social Support

A coping strategy that involves turning to others for support and is linked to better health outcomes, as it can help reduce stress and improve motivation