Psychology – Meeting Life Challenges (Stress & Coping)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to stress, its sources, effects, coping strategies, and factors promoting positive health.

Stress

A pattern of physiological, emotional and behavioural responses to events that disturb equilibrium and exceed a person’s ability to cope.

Eustress

Beneficial, motivating form of stress that leads to peak performance and effective crisis management.

Distress

Harmful, excessive stress that causes wear-and-tear on the body and deteriorates performance.

Stressors

Events or conditions (e.g., noise, exams, conflict) that trigger the stress response.

Strain

The organism’s reaction to external stressors.

Primary Appraisal

Initial evaluation of an event as positive, neutral, or negative (harm, threat, challenge).

Secondary Appraisal

Assessment of coping resources and options for dealing with a perceived stressor.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Selye’s three-stage bodily response to prolonged stress: alarm reaction, resistance, exhaustion.

Alarm Reaction

First GAS stage; fight-or-flight responses are activated via adrenaline and cortisol release.

Resistance Stage

Second GAS stage; body attempts to cope with the stressor while physiological arousal remains high.

Exhaustion Stage

Final GAS stage; depleted resources lead to heightened vulnerability to illness.

Psychoneuroimmunology

Field studying links among mind, brain, behaviour and immune system in health and disease.

T Cells

White blood cells that destroy invaders and coordinate immune responses; suppressed by chronic stress.

B Cells

Leucocytes that produce antibodies against antigens.

Natural Killer (NK) Cells

Immune cells that combat viruses and tumors; activity decreases under high stress.

Burnout

State of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and overwork.

Hassles

Everyday minor irritations (traffic, noise) that accumulate to produce stress.

Life Events

Significant changes (e.g., death, marriage) that disrupt routines and can induce stress.

Traumatic Events

Extreme, life-threatening occurrences (accidents, disasters) that may cause lasting stress reactions.

Coping

Dynamic, situation-specific efforts (cognitive and behavioural) to manage stress.

Task-Oriented Strategy

Coping approach that tackles the problem directly through planning and action.

Emotion-Oriented Strategy

Coping aimed at regulating emotional responses (e.g., venting, wishful thinking).

Avoidance-Oriented Strategy

Coping via denial, distraction or withdrawal from the stressor.

Problem-Focused Coping

Strategies to alter or eliminate the source of stress (information seeking, action plans).

Emotion-Focused Coping

Strategies to manage emotional distress without changing the stressor itself.

Stress Management

Set of techniques (relaxation, exercise, biofeedback, etc.) used to reduce stress impact.

Relaxation Technique

Systematic muscle relaxation and deep breathing to lower physiological arousal.

Meditation

Yogic method of focused attention leading to altered, relaxed states of consciousness.

Biofeedback

Procedure giving real-time physiological information to help individuals gain voluntary control (e.g., heart rate).

Creative Visualisation

Imagery technique where realistic goals are mentally rehearsed to reduce stress and enhance performance.

Stress Inoculation Training

Meichenbaum’s cognitive-behavioural method to build resistance by reframing negative thoughts.

Lifestyle

Overall pattern of behaviour (diet, sleep, exercise) affecting health and stress vulnerability.

Hardiness

Stress-resistant personality trait cluster of commitment, control and challenge (‘3 Cs’).

Life Skills

Adaptive abilities (assertiveness, time management, rational thinking) that enhance coping and well-being.

Assertiveness

Skill of expressing needs and opinions confidently while respecting others.

Time Management

Planning and prioritising tasks to reduce time-related stress.

Rational Thinking

Challenging distorted thoughts and replacing them with realistic, positive beliefs.

Resilience

Capacity to ‘bounce back’ and maintain positive adjustment under adversity.

Social Support

Perceived availability of caring, supportive relationships that buffer stress effects.

Examination Anxiety

Stress response characterised by tension and worry before, during, or after tests, affecting performance.