Unit 5A Health & Positive Psychology Vocab

Health psychology

Provides psychology's contribution to behavioral medicine

Stress

The process of appraising and responding to a threatening or challenging event. Stress can take many forms, known as stressors.

Immune suppression

A decrease in the immune response, often due to stress or illness.

Stress diverts energy from the immune system, inhibiting the activities of its B and T lymphocytes, macrophages, and NK cells.

Stress does not cause illnesses or diseases, but by altering our immune functioning, it may make us more vulnerable to them and influence their progression.

Hypertension

A condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated.

Headaches

Pain in the head or neck region, often caused by stress, tension, or other factors.

Stressors

Events or conditions that cause stress.

Eustress

Positive / "good" stress, situations that are challenging but manageable and can lead to growth

Ex: significant life changes such as moving, marriage, and pregnancy

Distress

Negative / "bad" stress, situations that are difficult and have a negative impact

Distress can result in ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences)

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)

Negative experiences that affect a child's brain and health as they grow into adults

1. Catastrophes - unpredictable large-scale events, such as natural disasters

2. Significant Life Changes - divorce, death of a loved one

3. Daily Hassles - traffic, dead cell phone, no Wifi, strained budgets, deadlines

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

The body's three-phase process to stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Selye proposed that the body's adaptive response to stress is so general that it sounds, no matter what intrudes

Alarm (Phase 1 in the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS))

In Phase 1, you have an alarm reaction, as your sympathetic nervous system is suddenly activated.

Your heart rate zooms. Blood is diverted to your skeletal muscles. You feel the faintness of shock. With your resources mobilized, you are now ready to fight back.

Resistance (Phase 2 in the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS))

During Phase 2, resistance, your temperature, blood pressure, and respiration remain high. Your adrenal glands pump hormones into your bloodstream. You are fully engaged, summoning all your resources to meet the challenge. As time passes, with no relief from stress, your body's reserves begin to dwindle.

Exhaustion (Phase 3 in the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS))

You have reached Phase 3, exhaustion. With exhaustion, you become more vulnerable to illness or even, in extreme cases, collapse and death.

Fight-flight-freeze-fawn responses

The body's instinctive reactions to perceived threats.

Deep breathing exercises directly influence the autonomic nervous system, helping to calm the "fight-or-flight" response and promote relaxation.

Tend and befriend theory

A theory that suggests people seek social support and tend to others in times of stress.

Facing stress, women may have a tend-and-befriend response, providing or gaining support from others.

Problem-focused coping

Occurs when a person directly confronts a stressor in an attempt to decrease or eliminate it.

Emotion-focused coping

Occurs when a person focuses on regulating their negative emotional reactions to a stressor

Deep breathing (a part of Emotion-focused coping)

Deep breathing exercises directly influence the autonomic nervous system, helping to calm the "fight-or-flight" response and promote relaxation.

Mindfulness meditation (a part of Emotion-focused coping)

Is a reflective practice of attending to current experiences in a nonjudgmental and accepting manner

Medication (a part of Emotion-focused coping)

Pharmaceuticals used to manage symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Positive Psychology

The scientific study of human flourishing, with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities thrive

Wellbeing (a part of Positive Psychology)

A state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.

Resilience (a part of Positive Psychology)

The ability to recover quickly from difficulties.

Positive emotions (a part of Positive Psychology)

Feelings that contribute to overall happiness and life satisfaction.

Psychological health (a part of Positive Psychology)

A state of mental well-being where individuals can cope with stress and function effectively.

Gratitude

Is a sense of thankfulness and happiness in response to receiving a gift, either a tangible benefit given by someone or a fortunate happenstance

Gratitude increases subjective well-being - your perception of being happy or satisfied with life

Signature strengths

Personal qualities that are most essential to an individual's identity.

Wisdom (a part of Signature strengths)

creativity, curiosity, love of learning, and perspective

-You come up with new and original ways to think about and do things.

-You master new skills and topics on your own or in school.

-You appreciate that people see things in different

ways. You have the ability to understand the world

from multiple points of view.

Courage (a part of Signature strengths)

bravery, perseverance, honesty, and zest

-You act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary.

-You complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up.

-You are honest and speak the truth. You present yourself genuinely and sincerely.

-You approach life with excitement and energy. You energize people around you.

Humanity (a part of Signature strengths)

Love, kindness, and social intelligence -- (S.I- being emotionally aware of others' feelings)

-You value close relationships with others and being close to people.

-You are generous to others and you are never too busy to help out. You enjoy doing good deeds for other people.

-You are aware of other people's thoughts and feelings. You understand why they do things.

Justice (a part of Signature strengths)

teamwork, fairness, and leadership

-You work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal, reliable, and dedicated to helping your team achieve its goals.

-You believe that all people have value. You approach situations with an unbiased mindset and treat everyone with respect.

-You value each member of your group and inspire people to do their best.

Temperance (a part of Signature strengths)

forgiveness, humility, self-regulation, and prudence

-You forgive those who have done wrong. You accept that people make mistakes.

-You do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves.

-You have the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.

-You plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices.

Transcendence (a part of Signature strengths)

appreciation of beauty, gratitude, hope, humor, and spirituality

-You notice and value the world's beauty and people's skills. You don't take things for granted.

-You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.

-You expect the best from the future and work to achieve it.

-You like to laugh and bring smiles to other people

-You have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life's purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.

Posttraumatic growth

Refers to the positive psychological changes that can occur as a result of struggling with highly challenging or traumatic events