Stress, Health, and Positive Psychology

Cannon-Bard theory of emotion

The idea that the experience of emotion is accompanied by physiological arousal.

James-Lange Theory of Emotion

The idea that the experience of emotion is the result of the arousal that we experience.

Two factor theory of emotion

The idea that the strength of emotion is determined by the intensity of the physiological arousal we are experiencing, but that the cognitive appraisal of the situation determines what the emotion will be.

Emotion = arousal + cognition

Misattribution of arousal

When we incorrectly label the source of the physiological arousal that we are experiencing.

Theory of constructed emotion

Our brain constructs each instance of emotion based on predictions int makes based on past experience.

Emotion Regulation

The ability of an individual to modulate an emotion or a set of emotions

Grief

Complex set of emotions that accompany a significant loss.

Stress

The physiological or psychological response to internal or external stressors.

General adaptation syndrome

The distinct phases of physiological change that occur in response to long-term stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

HPA Axis

The system of connections between the hypothalamus, the pituitary, and the adrenal glands that plays an important role in our experience of stress.

Cortisol

A stress hormone that releases sugars into blood, helping prepare the body to respond to threat.

Daily Hassles

Our everyday negative interactions with the environment.

fight-or-flight response

An emotional and behavioral reaction to stress that increases the readiness for action.

tend-and-befriend response

behavioral reaction to stress that involves activities designed to create social networks that provide protection from threats

Positive Psychology

Psychology subdiscipline that focusses on flourishing and well-being.

Subjective well-being

our assessment of our own happiness and life satisfaction.

Optimism

The general tendency to expect positive outcomes

self-efficacy

belief in our ability to carry out particular actions in order to achieve a particular set of desired results.