Stress

What is the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?

Selye's 3-stage model of stress response: alarm, resistance, exhaustion

What happens in alarm stage?

Body recognizes stressor, sympathetic nervous system activates fight-or-flight response

What happens in resistance stage?

Body adapts to continued stressor, maintains high arousal, appears to cope

What happens in exhaustion stage?

Body's resources depleted, immune system weakened, illness may occur

What is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system?

Stress response system involving hypothalamus → pituitary → adrenal cortex → cortisol release

What triggers HPA system?

Chronic or severe stress that requires sustained response

What is the sympathomedullary pathway?

Stress response system: hypothalamus → sympathetic nervous system → adrenal medulla → adrenaline release

When is sympathomedullary pathway activated?

Acute stress requiring immediate fight-or-flight response

What is cortisol's role in stress?

"Stress hormone" - increases blood sugar, suppresses immune system, affects memory and mood

Effects of chronic cortisol release?

Weakened immune system, cardiovascular problems, cognitive impairment, mood disorders

Evaluation of GAS model - strengths?

Comprehensive model, explains physiological stress response, research support from animal studies

Evaluation of GAS model - weaknesses?

Based on animal research, ignores psychological factors, assumes all stressors similar

How does stress cause illness?

Immunosuppression weakens ability to fight infections and diseases

What is immunosuppression?

Stress hormones reduce white blood cell effectiveness and antibody production

Research evidence for immunosuppression?

Kiecolt-Glaser studies showing exam stress reduces immune function in students

How does stress affect cardiovascular system?

Increases blood pressure, heart rate, risk of heart disease and stroke

Research on stress and cardiovascular disease?

Friedman & Rosenman Type A personality research, workplace stress studies

What are life changes as stressors?

Major events requiring adjustment - death, divorce, job loss, marriage

Research on life changes?

Holmes & Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale - higher scores linked to illness

What are daily hassles?

Minor everyday annoyances and irritations that accumulate over time

Research on daily hassles?

Kanner et al. - daily hassles better predictors of illness than major life events

Evaluation of life changes research - strengths?

Objective measurement, practical applications, large-scale studies

Evaluation of life changes research - weaknesses?

Individual differences ignored, correlation not causation, cultural bias

What is workplace stress?

Stress arising from work environment, demands, and organizational factors

How does workload affect stress?

Too much or too little work creates stress - optimal level varies by individual

How does control affect workplace stress?

Low control over work decisions increases stress and illness risk

Research on workplace stress?

Karasek's job strain model - high demands + low control = highest stress

Evaluation of workplace stress research - strengths?

Real-world relevance, practical interventions possible, consistent findings

Evaluation of workplace stress research - weaknesses?

Correlation not causation, individual differences, measurement difficulties

What is Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)?

Holmes & Rahe scale rating life events by adjustment required (death of spouse = 100)

How is SRRS used?

Add up life change units over past year - higher scores predict illness risk

What is Hassles and Uplifts Scale?

Measures daily minor stressors and positive events over previous month

Evaluation of self-report stress measures - strengths?

Easy to administer, standardized, cost-effective, subjective experience captured

Evaluation of self-report stress measures - weaknesses?

Social desirability bias, memory problems, individual interpretation differences

What are physiological stress measures?

Objective measures of stress response - cortisol, blood pressure, heart rate

What is skin conductance response?

Measures electrical activity in skin - increases with emotional arousal/stress

Advantages of physiological measures?

Objective, difficult to fake, real-time measurement, scientific credibility

Disadvantages of physiological measures?

Expensive, invasive, affected by other factors, doesn't measure subjective experience

What is Type A personality?

Competitive, time-urgent, hostile, achievement-oriented behavior pattern

What is Type B personality?

Relaxed, patient, creative, reflective behavior pattern - lower stress

What is Type C personality?

Cooperative, patient, suppresses emotions, avoids conflict

Research on personality and stress?

Friedman & Rosenman - Type A twice as likely to develop heart disease

Which personality type most stress-prone?

Type A due to constant pressure and hostility, Type C due to emotion suppression

Evaluation of personality research - strengths?

Practical applications, consistent findings, prospective studies

Evaluation of personality research - weaknesses?

Oversimplified categories, cultural differences, measurement issues

What is hardiness?

Personality characteristic providing resilience against stress effects

What are the 3 Cs of hardiness?

Commitment (sense of purpose), Control (belief in own influence), Challenge (see change as opportunity)

Research on hardiness?

Kobasa - hardy executives less likely to become ill despite high stress

Evaluation of hardiness research - strengths?

Positive approach to stress, practical applications, research support

Evaluation of hardiness research - weaknesses?

Difficult to measure, may be post-hoc explanation, cultural bias

What is drug therapy for stress?

Medication to reduce stress symptoms - anxiolytics, beta-blockers, antidepressants

How do benzodiazepines work?

Enhance GABA activity to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation

How do beta-blockers work?

Block adrenaline effects on heart and blood vessels, reduce physical symptoms

Evaluation of drug therapy - strengths?

Fast-acting, effective for symptoms, widely available, evidence-based

Evaluation of drug therapy - weaknesses?

Side effects, dependency risk, doesn't address causes, masking symptoms

What is Stress Inoculation Therapy (SIT)?

Cognitive-behavioral approach teaching coping skills before stress occurs

SIT phases?

1) Education about stress, 2) Skill acquisition, 3) Practice in graded stress situations

Evaluation of SIT - strengths?

Addresses thoughts and behaviors, prevents problems, long-lasting effects, no side effects

Evaluation of SIT - weaknesses?

Time-consuming, requires motivation, therapist training needed, not suitable for all

What is biofeedback?

Training to control physiological responses through real-time monitoring

How does biofeedback work?

Visual/auditory feedback helps person learn to control heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension

Evaluation of biofeedback - strengths?

Non-invasive, teaches self-control, no side effects, objective feedback

Evaluation of biofeedback - weaknesses?

Expensive equipment, training required, limited generalization, placebo effects

How do gender differences affect stress coping?

Women more likely to seek social support ("tend-and-befriend"), men more problem-focused

Research on gender and coping?

Taylor et al. - women release oxytocin promoting social bonding during stress

What is social support?

Help and assistance received from others during stressful times

What is instrumental support?

Practical help - money, transport, childcare, advice

What is emotional support?

Comfort, empathy, caring, listening, reassurance

What is esteem support?

Feedback that enhances self-worth and confidence

Research on social support?

Cohen & Wills - strong social support reduces stress effects and improves health

How does social support help?

Buffering effect - reduces impact of stress, provides coping resources, improves health behaviors

Evaluation of social support research - strengths?

Consistent findings, practical applications, large-scale studies, cultural universality

Evaluation of social support research - weaknesses?

Correlation not causation, quality vs quantity unclear, individual differences