Unit 5 Psychology Test Review

Health Psychology

Subfield of psychology focused on how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health and illness.

Psychoneuroimmunology

Study of the interaction between psychological processes and the nervous and immune systems.

Stress

The process of appraising and responding to threatening or challenging events.

Eustress

Positive stress that can motivate and improve performance.

Distress

Negative stress with potentially harmful effects.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Early trauma that affects lifelong health.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Hans Selye's three-phase model describing the body’s adaptive response to stress: Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion.

Alarm Reaction

The initial response to stress where the sympathetic nervous system activates.

Resistance Phase

The body maintains heightened arousal to confront the stressor.

Exhaustion Phase

Prolonged stress that depletes resources, increasing vulnerability to illness.

Problem-Focused Coping

Efforts targeting the source of stress directly.

Emotion-Focused Coping

Managing emotional responses to the stressor.

Positive Psychology

Study of human flourishing emphasizing strengths and well-being.

Subjective Well-Being

An individual’s self-perceived happiness and life satisfaction.

Diathesis-Stress Model

Model suggesting disorders arise from genetic predisposition combined with environmental stress.

DSM-5

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, primary classification tool for psychological disorders.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Disorders characterized by developmental deficits that produce impairments in personal, social, academic, or occupational functioning.

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

Disorders characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and other cognitive or emotional dysfunctions.

Major Depressive Disorder

Psychological disorder characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest.

Bipolar Disorder

Mental health disorder marked by extreme mood swings including manic and depressive episodes.

Anxiety Disorders

Mental disorders characterized by excessive fear or anxiety.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Disorder involving unwanted and intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Mental health condition triggered by terrifying events, causing flashbacks and severe anxiety.

Resilience

The capacity to recover and adapt after adversity.

Post-Traumatic Growth

Positive psychological changes experienced as a result of adversity and stress.

Coping Strategies

Cognitive, emotional, and behavioral efforts to manage stress and its effects.

What is health psychology?

Health psychology is a subfield of psychology that focuses on how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health and illness.

Define psychoneuroimmunology.

Psychoneuroimmunology is the study of the interaction between psychological processes and the nervous and immune systems.

What are the two types of stress?

Eustress (positive stress) and distress (negative stress).

List examples of stressors.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), catastrophes, significant life changes, and daily hassles.

What is General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?

GAS is a three-phase model proposed by Hans Selye describing the body’s response to stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

What are coping strategies?

Coping strategies can be problem-focused (targeting the issue) and emotion-focused (managing emotional response).

How does chronic stress affect health?

Chronic stress can lead to weakened immune response, increased inflammation, cardiovascular issues, and accelerate aging.

What is positive psychology?

Positive psychology is the study of human well-being and strengths, promoting subjective well-being and resilience.

What are the main components of the biopsychosocial model?

The biopsychosocial model integrates biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding health and illness.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance following trauma.

Name a common medication prescribed for major depressive disorder.

Common medications for major depressive disorder include SSRIs like Fluoxetine (Prozac) and Sertraline (Zoloft