Topic 5.1 Ap Psych

Health Psychology

The study of how behavior, thoughts, and emotions affect physical health.
Example: Studying how stress impacts heart disease.

Psychoneuroimmunology

The study of how the mind, nervous system, and immune system interact.
Example: Chronic stress weakening the immune system.

Stress

The body’s response to demands or challenges.
Example: Feeling tense before a big exam.

Hypertension

Chronically high blood pressure.
Example: Long-term stress contributing to high blood pressure.

Immune Suppression

A decrease in the immune system’s ability to fight illness.
Example: Getting sick more often during stressful periods.

Eustress

Positive, motivating stress.
Example: Excitement before a sports competition.

Distress

Negative stress that causes harm or anxiety.
Example: Feeling overwhelmed by too much homework.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) (also in Unit 3)

Traumatic events in childhood that increase health risks later in life.
Example: Growing up in an abusive household.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

The body’s three-stage response to prolonged stress.
Example: The body reacting to long-term academic pressure.

Alarm

The first stage of GAS when the body detects stress.
Example: Heart rate increases when danger appears.

Resistance

The second stage of GAS where the body tries to adapt to stress.
Example: Staying alert during weeks of exams.

Fight-Flight-Freeze Response

The body’s automatic reaction to a perceived threat.
Example: Freezing when suddenly called on in class.

Exhaustion

The final stage of GAS when stress depletes the body’s resources.
Example: Burnout after months of constant stress.

Coronary Heart Disease

Narrowing of heart arteries that reduces blood flow to the heart.
Example: Long-term stress increasing heart disease risk.

Tend-and-Befriend Theory

Stress response that involves seeking social support.
Example: Talking to friends after a bad day.

Catharsis

Emotional release through expressing feelings.
Example: Crying to feel relief after stress.

Coping

Managing stress using behavioral or mental strategies.
Example: Exercising to reduce anxiety.

Problem-Focused Coping

Coping by addressing the source of stress.
Example: Making a study plan to improve grades.

Emotion-Focused Coping

Coping by managing emotional reactions to stress.
Example: Meditating to calm anxiety.

Meditation

A practice to focus attention and reduce stress.
Example: Deep breathing to relax.

Personal Control

The belief that one can influence outcomes.
Example: Believing effort will improve test scores.

Learned Helplessness

Believing you have no control after repeated failures.
Example: Giving up on studying after failing several tests.

External Locus of Control

Belief that outcomes are controlled by outside forces.
Example: Blaming luck for a bad grade.

Internal Locus of Control

Belief that outcomes are controlled by one’s actions.
Example: Studying harder to earn a better grade.

Self-Control

The ability to regulate impulses and behavior.
Example: Choosing to study instead of scrolling on your phone.