PSY 100 USC Chapter 12 Stress, Coping and Health (revel)

stress

a type of response consisting of tension, discomfort or physical symptoms that arise when a situation, called a stressor, strains our ability to cope effectively

stress as a response

researchers asses peoples psychological and physical reactions to stressful circumstances

corticosteroids

A group of hormones, including cortisol, released by the adrenal glands at times of stress; stress hormones that activate the body and prepare us to respond to stressful circumstances

post-traumatic growth

the perception of beneficial change or personal transformation in the struggle to overcome adversity

primary appraisal

initial decision regarding whether an event is harmful

secondary appraisal

perceptions regarding our ability to cope with an event that follows primary appraisal

problem-focused coping

a coping strategy in which we tackle life's challenges head on

emotion-focused coping

a coping strategy in which we try to place a positive spin on our feelings or predicaments or seek emotional support to reduce painful emotions

hassles

minor annoyances or nuisances that strain our ability to cope

general adaptation syndrome

stress-response pattern proposed by Hans Selye that consists of three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion

alarm reaction

the excitation o the autonomic nervous system, the discharge of the stress hormone adrenaline, and physical symptoms of anxiety

emotional brain

consists of the amygdala, hypothalamus and hippocampus

fight-or-flight response

first described by Walter Canon in 1915; physical and psychological reaction that mobilises people and animals to either defend themselves (fight) or escape (flee) a threatening situation

resistance

Selyes second stage of GAS, marked by adaptation to the stressor and finding ways to cope with it

exhaustion

Selye's third and final adaptive response to stress, where your body's reserves begin to run out without relief from stress; you become more vulnerably to illness or even, in extreme cases, collapse and death

tend and befriend

reaction that mobilises people to nurture (tend) or seek social support (befriend) under stress.

oxytocin

a hormone that plays key roles in love, trust and emotional bonding, further counters stress and promotes the tend-and befriend response

social support

relationships with people and groups that can provide us with emotional comfort and personal and financial resources

proactive coping

anticipation of problems and stressful situations that promotes effective coping

catharsis

a release of emotional tension; disclosing painful feelings

hardiness

set of attitudes marked by a sense of control over events, commitment to life and work, and courage and motivation to confront stressful events

optimism

A general tendency to expect good outcomes.

spirituality

the search for the sacred, which may or may not extend to belief in God

fallacy of uniform efficacy

the assumption that certain ways of coping and regulating emotion are consistently beneficial

ruminating

focusing on how bad we feel and endlessly analyzing the causes and consequences of our problems

immune system

a complex response system that protects the body from bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

A disorder in which the immune system is gradually weakened and eventually disabled by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

psychoneuroimmunology

study fo the relationship between the immune system and the central nervous system

psychophysiological

authentic illnesses like ulcers in which emotions and stress contribute to, maintain or aggravate physical conditions

biopsychosocial perspective

proposes that most medical conditions are neither all physical nor all psychological

coronary heart disease

the complete or partial blockage of the arteries that provide oxygen to the heart

Type A personality

personality type that describes people who are competitive, driven, hostile, and ambitious, perfectionists, cynical, controlling, concerned with deadliness; most predictive of heart disease

health psychology

also called behavioural medicine; a rapidly growing field that has contributed to our understanding of the influences of stress and other psychological factors on physical disorders

Four behaviours that can promote health

1. Stop Smoking

2. Curb Alcohol

3. Achieve a healthy weight

4. Exercise

aerobic exercise

sustained exercise that increases heart and lung fitness; may also alleviate depression and anxiety