Defining Stress II: Stress Types and Dimensions

Vocabulary flashcards defining core concepts of physical and psychological stress, appraisals, coping styles, eustress vs. distress, General Adaptation Syndrome, and allostasis.

Physical Stress

A disruption of physiological systems caused by stressors that put strain on the brain and/or body, such as extreme temperature, injury, or exercise.

Psychological Stress

A state that disrupts the integrity of the mind, resulting in mental strain.

Primary Appraisal

An initial evaluation of a potential stressor that asks "What is it? Will it hurt me?" to determine if an event poses a threat.

Secondary Appraisal

An evaluation of available coping mechanisms that asks "Do I have the resources to deal?" with a stressor.

Problem-Focused Coping

A type of coping strategy aimed directly at resolving or managing the source of the stressor.

Emotion-Focused Coping

A type of coping strategy aimed at regulating and managing emotional reactions to a stressor.

Distress

A form of stress that produces deleterious or harmful effects on the mind or body.

Eustress

A form of stress that produces beneficial or positive effects on the mind or body.

Cold Pressor

A stressor involving immersion of a limb in ice water, serving as an example of combined physical stress and intense psychological stress.

General Adaptation Syndrome

A model formulated by Selye (1950) describing a non-specific response to stress across three sequential phases: alarm reaction, resistance, and exhaustion.

Alarm Reaction Phase

Phase 1 of the General Adaptation Syndrome, in which the body mobilizes its physiological resources immediately after a stressor occurs.

Resistance Phase

Phase 2 of the General Adaptation Syndrome, in which the body actively copes with and resists an ongoing stressor.

Exhaustion Phase

Phase 3 of the General Adaptation Syndrome, occurring when stress resistance can no longer be sustained and body reserves are depleted.

Allostasis

The process of achieving stability through physiological or behavioral change in response to stress.

Allostatic Load

The accumulated wear and tear on the mind and body (the accumulated price of adaptation) caused by chronic or repeated stress stimuli (McEwen, 2000).