psyc 1001 ch 14

stress

a state brought on by a situation that threatens, or appears to threaten ones sense of well being and ability to cope

factors that effect severity of stress

perception of situation

ability to cope

stressor

anything that triggers a stress response

acute stressor

short term stress (adaptive, mobilizes resources to overcome threatening event)

chronic stressor

long term pain, unemployment. not adaptive. may lead to physical health problems (cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes) and psychological problems (depression, ptsd, substance abuse)

frustrated

when goals are blocked

acute: stuck in traffic

chronic: stuck in relationship

pressured

results from perception of having to live up to some expectation. can be set up by yourself or others

conflicted

feeling that occurs when goals or impulses appear to clash (incompatible)

approach-approach

must choose between two desirable options

(should i date john or bill?)

avoidance-avoidance

have to choose between aversive options

(study math or physics tonight)

approach-avoidance

when choices come with desireable and undesireable consequences

(you like someone but cant stand his group of friends) leads to agonizing decision process

endangered

life-threatening situations produce stress

can be acute and short lived, or more chronic. if intense enough can have lasting effects

life changes

major shifts in life circumstances that require adjustments

death of a loved one, breakup, moving, etc

Holmes and Rahe

Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)

Daily hassles

everyday daily annoyances, “micro-stressors”

daily traffic, bad weather, no parking

cognitive-meditational theory of stress

Richard Lazarus

How stressful an event is depends on how we appraise the severity of the situation and our ability to manage it

Primary appraisal

we assess the situation and determine its severity and implications for us

ex. I have a test next week worth 25% of my grade

secondary appraisal

we consider our ability to cope with the event

ex. “OK, ive been attending classes all along. ive been reading the text and also making notes, I got this”

explanatory style

our characteristic pattern of explaining events

optimistic explanatory style

general belief that despite setbacks and losses, things will improve

pessimistic explanatory style

beleif that if things can go wrong they probably will and that negative effects will be enduring and global

coping

refers to efforts to manage, reduce, or tolerate stress

adaptive coping

join study group, reduce hours working

maladaptive coping

oh well, hit up george

lashing out

tends to occur after a series of stressors (“the last straw”)

self-defense

may involve self-deception or resressive coping style (deny negative feelings)

self-indulgence

may include overeating, drinking, or shopping. helpful if stressor is short-lived, but ineffective if problem is complex or ongoing

problem-focused coping

try to alleviate stress by a direct action with its source

ex. interpersonal conflict may approach person and try to reach a compromise

emotion-focused coping

try to manage your responses to a stressor. only strategy if you have no control over the stressor

ex. try to think positive thoughts about roommate