psychology chapter 14

acute stressor:

a stressful situation or circumstance that happens in the short term and has a definite endpoint.

approach-approach conflict:

: conflict that occurs when a person must choose between two equally desirable options.

approach-avoidance conflict

conflict that occurs when any available choice has both desirable and undesirable qualities.

avoidance-avoidance conflict:

conflict that occurs when a person must choose between two equally undesirable options.

chronic stressor

: a stressful situation or circumstance that is more long term and often lacks a definite endpoint.

Conflict:

discomfort brought about by two or more goals or impulses perceived to be incompatible.

Coping

efforts to manage, reduce, or tolerate stress.

daily hassles

everyday annoyances that contribute to higher stress levels; also known as micro-stressors.

Distress

:stress caused by unpleasant situations or circumstances.

emotion-focused coping:

coping strategies focused on changing one's feelings about the stressor

Eustress

the optimal level of stress needed to promote physical and psychological health

Frustration

an emotion people experience when thwarted in pursuit of a goal.

general adaptation syndrome (GAS):

a three-stage response to stress identified by Hans Selye; the stages are alarm, resistance, and exhaustion

immune system

the body's system of organs, tissues, and cells that identify and destroy foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses, as well as cancer cells.

Inoculation:

exposing oneself to a relatively low level of stress in a controlled situation to improve later performance in a more stressful situation.

life changes

shifts in life circumstances that require adjustment of some kind.

Lymphocytes:

white blood cells that circulate through the body and destroy foreign invaders and cancer cells; important components of the immune system.

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD):

: an anxiety disorder experienced in response to a major traumatic event, characterized by lingering, persistent, frightening thoughts or memories of the traumatic events, along with anxiety, depression, and other symptoms.

Pressure

an expectation or demand that someone act in a certain way.

primary appraisal

appraisal of a stressor to determine how severe it is; the first stage in Richard Lazarus's description of how people experience stress

problem-focused coping:

coping strategies focused on dealing directly with the stressor, such as by changing the stressor in some way.

Psychoneuroimmunology

an area of study focusing on links between stress, the immune system, and health.

secondary appraisal:

appraisal of one's personal resources and ability to cope with a stressor; the second stage in Richard Lazarus's description of how people experience stress

Stress

: state brought on by any situation that threatens or appears to threaten a person's sense of well-being, thus challenging the individual's ability to cope.

Stressor

: a situation or circumstance that triggers the stress response.

traumatic events

unexpected events severe enough to create extreme disruptions.

Type A:

a personality type characterized by competitiveness, impatience, and anger and hostility.

Type B:

a personality type that is less aggressive, more relaxed, and less hostile than Type A.

Type C:

a personality type characterized by difficulty in expressing or acknowledging negative feelings

Type D

a personality type characterized by negative affectivity such as worry or gloominess and social inhibition.