Managing and Coping with Stress: Biofeedback

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on biofeedback as a method for managing and coping with stress.

What is biofeedback?

A method of stress management that involves learning to control autonomic functioning through operant conditioning.

How does biofeedback work biologically?

It deals with the physiological response to stress, including increased heart rate and blood pressure controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

What are the two main aspects of biofeedback?

It is both biological and psychological.

What does the feedback process in biofeedback include?

Clients receive information on the status of their autonomic nervous system, such as heart rate and blood pressure.

What role does relaxation play in biofeedback?

It reduces sympathetic nervous system activity and activates the parasympathetic nervous system.

What is operant conditioning in the context of biofeedback?

A process where rewarding successful behavior promotes the likelihood of repeating that behavior.

Based on research, what was found about doctors using biofeedback?

Doctors reported less stress after using biofeedback three times daily for one month (Lemaire et al., 2011).

What was the classic study conducted by Neal Miller and Leo DiCara about?

They found that paralyzed rats could learn to control their heart rates through operant conditioning using rewards.

What physiological responses are monitored in biofeedback?

Heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, breathing patterns, and sweat gland activity.

What are the machines used in biofeedback called?

EMG (electromyograph), EEG (electroencephalograph), and skin conductance response devices.

What must clients learn to do after completing biofeedback training?

They must transfer their learned relaxation techniques to real-world stressful situations.

What is the significance of reward in biofeedback?

Reward reinforces the behavior of relaxation, enhancing the likelihood of successful stress management.

What happens to adrenaline levels when relaxation techniques are used effectively?

Adrenaline levels decrease, leading to reduced stress symptoms.

What is the result of conditioning that occurs during biofeedback?

The automatic responses of the autonomic nervous system are learned and can be modified.

Why is the study by Miller and DiCara significant to biofeedback?

It demonstrated that even involuntary autonomic behaviors could be conditioned through rewards.