Psychology U3 AOS2 Stress and Coping

stress

a state of psychological and physiological arousal due to internal or external stressors

stress response

the psychological and physiological results of the state of stress

stressor

any person, situation or event that produces stress

internal stressor

originate within the individual, a result of personal problems

external stressor

originate outside of the individual - situations or events in the environment

eustress

a positive psychological response to a perceived stressor that provides a positive opportunity

distress

a negative psychological response to a perceived stressor that provides a threat or harm

fight response

confronting the stressor, involves the sympathetic nervous system releasing adrenaline to energise the body to deal with danger

flight

fleeing the stressor, involves the sympathetic nervous system prompting the release of adrenaline to allow the body to quickly escape the threat

freeze

a brief activation of the parasympathetic nervous system to provide time to assess the situation, followed very quickly by activation of the sympathetic nervous system

cortisol

a stress hormone that helps the body remain at above-average levels of arousal, involved in both acute and chronic stress

acute stress

A form of stress that is not prolonged, where the stressor demands an immediate response

chronic stress

a form of stress that demands a long-term biological response to energise the body over weeks or months

bi-directional

functioning in two directions, refers to the gut-brain axis

vagus nerve

the longest cranial nerve, connects the brain and the gut bi-directionally

enteric nervous system

the network of nerves in the gut, a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system, the gut and the brain influence each other

microbiome

all the information of all the microorganisms in the gut

microbiota

the microorganisms in the gut

alarm reaction

First stage of GAS, involves an initial decrease and subsequent increase in arousal in response to an immediate stressor

shock stage

decreased bodily arousal, ability to deal with stressor falls below normal. No cortisol released

countershock stage

sympathetic nervous system mobilises the body to respond, ability to deal with stressor increases above normal. Cortisol released at end of stage

resistance

GAS, high cortisol levels results in heightened physiological arousal. energy is directed towards confronting the stressor, functioning is still possible

exhaustion

GAS, the individual cannot cope with the demands of the stressor or other stressors. Functioning is significantly impacted, prone to illness due to prolonged high cortisol levels.

selye benefits

Provides information about physiological responses to stress, establishes connection between chronic stress and mental/physical health decline

selye limitations

Ignores psychological processes and emotions, based on research with rats not humans, prescribes a uniform model that is not subjective to situations

primary appraisal

TMS, the stressor is evaluated as whether or not it will cause stress, and further what kind of stressor it is

significant/stressful appraisal

The stimulus is classified as a significant source of stress, and the stressor is further classified into a more detailed category

insignificant/not stressful

The stimulus is classified as not significant enough to cause stress, appraisal does not proceed

threat

TMS, potential damage may be experienced as a result of the stressor

harm/loss

TMS, damage has already been experienced as a result of the stressor

challenge

TMS, a potential for growth or change as a result of the stressor

benign positive

Primary appraisal step one, the stimulus is neutral or good, no stress state results

Irrelevant

Primary appraisal step one, the stimulus is a non-issue, no stress

secondary appraisal

The individual evaluates the resources and coping strategies available

adequate coping

appropriate strategies are available, stress levels are reduced, stressor is reassessed to see if interpretation has changed

inadequate coping

strategies cannot meet the demands of stressor, leads to further stress

TMS benefits

Subjective stress responses can be measured, based on research conducted with human subjects

TMS limitations

Does not represent the instantaneous nature of appraisal, does not include biological processes

approach strategies

involve directly confronting the source of the stress and reducing or eliminating it

avoidance strategies

involve evading or distancing oneself from the source of stress, indirectly reducing it, usually maladaptive

context specific effectiveness

The degree to which an individual’s coping strategy is appropriate and applicable for the unique needs of the specific stressor

coping flexibility

The degree to which an individual can modify or adjust their coping strategy depending on the changing demands of a stressor