PSY292 Exam 2

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering central concepts from Chapters 5, 6, and 7 of the PSY292 Exam 2 Study Guide, focusing on stress physiology, psychoneuroimmunology, and pain theories.

Central nervous system

The division of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral nervous system

The division of the nervous system that includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, further dividing into the somatic and autonomic systems.

Somatic nervous system

The part of the peripheral nervous system that primarily serves the skin and voluntary muscles.

Autonomic nervous system

The part of the peripheral nervous system that primarily serves internal organs and includes sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis

A major neuroendocrine pathway activated by the perception of stress.

Adrenocortical response

The physiological response in which adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary stimulates the adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids, including cortisol.

Adrenomedullary response

The release of catecholamines, including epinephrine and norepinephrine, by the adrenal medulla during stress.

Allostasis

The process of maintaining physiological stability through active change.

Allostatic load

The physiological wear and tear or burden associated with ongoing adjustment to stressors.

Selyes’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Hans Selye's three-stage model of the body's response to stress, comprising alarm reaction, resistance, and exhaustion.

Alarm reaction

The initial response stage of Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome.

Resistance stage

The second stage of Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome, marked by continued physiological adaptation while the stressor persists.

Exhaustion stage

The final stage of Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome, where prolonged demands deplete physiological resources and increase vulnerability.

Primary appraisal

In Lazarus's theory, the initial evaluation of a potentially stressful event.

Secondary appraisal

In Lazarus's theory, the evaluation of whether one possesses the resources or ability to cope with a stressor.

Reappraisal

The reevaluation of a situation or stressor as new information becomes available.

Coping

Changing cognitive or behavioral efforts to manage demands appraised as taxing or exceeding one's resources.

Problem-focused coping

A coping strategy directed at changing the source of stress.

Emotion-focused coping

A coping strategy directed at managing the emotional response associated with stress.

Nonspecific defenses

General, early lines of immune defense that act after invaders pass the skin and mucous membranes, including phagocytosis, granulocytes, macrophages, and inflammation.

Specific immune responses

Immune responses targeted to particular invaders, involving T-cells that mobilize an attack and B-cells that produce antibodies.

Antibodies

Molecules secreted by plasma cells (derived from B-cells) that bind to specific antigens and mark them for destruction.

Memory lymphocytes

Specialized immune cells that can be reactivated if an antigen returns, helping establish long-term immunity.

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

The field of study investigating interactions among behavior, the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system.

Cytokines

Chemical messengers involved in communication within the immune system, including proinflammatory cytokines.

Diathesis-stress model

A model stating that individuals are vulnerable to stress-related illness due to an underlying predisposition (diathesis), which may be inherited or learned.

Direct stress effects

Pathways through which stress influences health directly via alterations in physiological body systems, including the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems.

Indirect stress effects

Pathways through which stress influences health by causing negative changes in health practices and behaviors.

Emotional disclosure

An intervention involving expressing strong emotions by talking or writing about the events that precipitated them.

Mindfulness

An intervention involving intentionally focusing on the present moment in a nonjudgmental and accepting manner.

Nociception

The stimulation of sensory nerve cells that may lead to the perception of pain.

Nociceptors

Receptors in the skin and organs that respond to stimulation capable of causing tissue damage.

Specificity theory

A pain theory proposing that pain is a direct consequence of physical injury and that tissue damage determines pain intensity.

Gate control theory

A pain theory proposing that structures in the spinal cord, particularly the substantia gelatinosa, act as a gate regulating sensory input interpreted as pain.

Neuromatrix theory

A pain theory proposing that pain is produced by a widespread brain network with loops connecting the thalamus, cortex, and limbic system, which can generate pain even without sensory input.

Endocrine system

Secrete hormones that travel through the blood stream

Lazarus’s view

stress depends on appraisal; how a person interprets the situation

Lymphatic system

immune system is spread throughout the body

Lymph

tissue of the lyphatic system; consists of tissue components of blood other than red blood cells and platelets

Lymph nodes

round/oval capsule spaced throughout the lymphatic system that helps clean lymph of cellular debris, bacteria, and dust that have entered the body

relaxation training

aims to produce slower breathing, lower blood pressure, and reduce heart rate

Lymphocytes

type of white blood cell found in lymphs

t-cells

cells of an immune system that produce immunity; recognize invaders and mobilize an attack

b-cells

attack invading microorganisms; can become plasma cells that secrete antibodies

natural killer (nk) cells

attack invading organisms

thymus

produces thymosin; processes and activates t-cells

thymosin

involved in the maturation and differentiation of the t-cells

tonsils

trap and kill invading cells and particles

spleen

site where lymphocytes mature; serves as a holding station for lymphocytes as well as disposal cite for worn out blood cells

phagocytosis

the atacking of foreign particles by cells of the immune system

granulocytes

encounters invading substances, and releases chemicals that attack the invaders

macrophages

scavenge for worn out cells and debris, initiate specific immune responses, and secrete a variety of chemicals that breakdown the cell membranes of invaders

inflammation

restores tissues damaged by invaders

humoral immunity

immune response through b-cell recognition of antigens and their manufacture of antibodies; happens in the blood stream

vaccination

a weakened form of a virus or a bacterium is introduced into the body, stimulating the production of antibodies

immune system disorders/problems

immune deficiency, failure of immune system development, chemotherapy-related immune effects, aids, allergies, and autoimmune diseases

pain

an unpleasant feeling associated with illness or injury and can serve a survival function

receptors

convert physical energy into neural energy

impulses

travel through the peripheral nervous system towards the spinal cord and brain

somatosensory system

conveys sensory information from the body to the brain

spinal cord

carriers ascending sensory and descending motor information

dorsal root ganglion

contains cell bodies of primary afferent neurons

thalamus

receives information from afferent neurons; information then travels to areas including the somatosensory cortex

referred pain

pain experienced in the body other than the site where the pain stimulus originates

acute pain

pain experienced when injured (cuts, burns)

chronic pain

endures over months/years

chronic recurrent pain

pain marked by alternating episodes of intense pain and no pain (headaches)

pre-chronic pain

between acute and chronic stage

tolerance

the body’s decreased responsiveness to a drug

dependence

when the drugs removal produces withdrawal symptoms