Stress, Lifestyle, and Health

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and relationships regarding stress, lifestyle, and health from the lecture notes.

What is the definition of stress?

Stress is a term used to describe a variety of unpleasant feelings, characterized as a demanding or threatening event.

What are stimulus-based definitions of stress?

Stress is characterized as a stimulus that causes certain reactions, such as feeling overwhelmed or threatened.

What do response-based definitions of stress emphasize?

They emphasize physiological responses that occur in response to demanding situations, like increased heart rate.

What is cognitive appraisal in the context of stress?

Cognitive appraisal refers to the process of evaluating whether a situation is seen as threatening (primary appraisal) or manageable (secondary appraisal).

What is Eustress?

Eustress is positive stress that can motivate individuals and is associated with optimal performance.

What is Distress?

Distress is negative stress that can lead to burnout and decreased performance.

How does stress affect physiological responses?

Stress can lead to accelerated heart rate, headaches, and gastrointestinal problems.

What is Health Psychology?

Health psychology studies the interaction between psychological factors and physical health.

Which demographic groups typically report higher levels of stress?

Higher stress is reported among women, the unemployed, those with lower education, and lower income.

What is the fight-or-flight response?

A physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived threat, preparing an individual to either confront or flee from the danger.

What is Hans Selye known for?

He discovered the General Adaptation Syndrome, the body's non-specific physiological response to stress.

What are the three stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome?

Alarm Reaction, Stage of Resistance, and Stage of Exhaustion.

What triggers the sympathetic nervous system during stress?

The release of adrenaline from the adrenal glands.

What is learned helplessness?

The belief that one is powerless to change a situation after repeated failures to escape it.

What role does social support play in stress management?

Social support provides emotional comfort and can enhance immune functioning, reducing stress levels.

What are problem-focused coping strategies?

Strategies aimed at tackling the problem causing stress directly, such as finding solutions.

What are emotion-focused coping strategies?

Strategies aimed at minimizing the emotional distress associated with stress, such as avoidance or distraction.

What psychological factors are linked to a weakened immune system?

Stress can lead to decreased immune functioning and increased vulnerability to infections and diseases.

How is chronic stress different from acute stress?

Chronic stress is long-term stress that persists over time, while acute stress involves immediate, brief stressors.

What are psychophysiological disorders?

Physical disorders whose symptoms are exacerbated by stress and emotional factors, like tension headaches.

Which personality type is more likely to develop heart disease?

Type A personality, characterized by competitiveness, impatience, and hostility.

What is the relationship between depression and heart disease?

Depression is linked to unhealthy lifestyles that increase heart disease risk.

What is Positive Psychology?

A field of psychology that focuses on the study and promotion of human strengths and well-being.

What is flow?

A state of engagement and immersion in an activity, often leading to feelings of joy and fulfillment.

How does stress impact aging?

Stress can shorten telomeres, which are protective segments of DNA, leading to accelerated aging.

What factors influence happiness?

Age, quality of relationships, income, religion, and cultural values are all factors that can affect happiness.

What is the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)?

A scale that ranks life events based on the amount of personal readjustment they require, indicating their stress levels.

How can exercise help in stress reduction?

Exercise reduces stress and increases resilience to its adverse effects.

What role does optimism play in psychological health?

Optimism is associated with better health outcomes and coping strategies during stressful times.