6. Psychology U3AOS1: General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) (PowerPoint 6)

General Adaptation Syndrome

Seyle's concept that the body responds to stress with alarm, resistance and exhaustion

- Three stage physiological response to stress

- Occurs regardless of the stressor encountered (internal v external, non specific)

3 stages of GAS

- Alarm

- Resistance

- Exhaustion

GAS Stage 1 - Simple definition

body goes into an initial state of shock, then rebounds (countershock) following awareness of the stressor

Temporary state of shock - Physiological changes (GAS 1)

- Ability to deal with stress falls below normal level

- Body acts as if injured

Physiological reactions - Shock stage (Alarm)

Decrease in:

- Body temperature

- Blood pressure

- Muscle tone

Counter shock

- Sympathetic NS is activated

- Resistance to stressor increases

- Fight or flight reaction

Physiological reactions in countershock stage

- Highly aroused and alert

- Release of adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol

- Heart and respiratory acceleration

- More energy supplied to muscles

GAS Stage 2 - Simple definition

- Resistance stage

- Body's resistance to the particular stressor rises above normal

Resistance stage elements

- Only if stressor remains

- Resistance is at its highest - continued cortisol release

- Suppression of immune system

Cortisol in the resistance stage

- Physiological arousal, above normal level

- Stress becomes chronic = cortisol release continues

- Suppresses immune system

- Susceptible to additional stressors (cold and flu)

GAS Stage 3 - Simple definition

- Exhaustion stage

- Body can no longer sustain resistance

- If stressor is not dealt with in stage 1/2

Exhaustion stage - resistance, resources

- Stressor can no longer be dealt with

- Bodily resources (stress hormones) depleted

- Resistance to disease is very weak --> Vulnerable to physical and mental disorder

Exhaustion stage - signs of 'wear and tear'

- Fatigue

- Sleep disturbances

- Vulnerability to anxiety attacks

- Depressed mood

- High blood pressure

- GI problems

Strengths of GAS

- First model to suggest stress weakens body's ability to resist infection

- increase likelihood for developing physical disorder

- Focus on biological processes

Strength of GAS (confirmed...)

role of GAS in endocrine system

confirmed by various contemporary researchers, continue to be influential

Limitation of GAS

- Fails to consider psychological appraisals made to combat stress

- Tested on rats - generalised too broadly

- Doesn't account for individual differences

Explanatory power

- Ability of theory/model to explain subject matter effectively

- Either HIGH or LOW