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AP psych
Health psychology
a subfield of psychology that explores the impact of psychological, behaviors, and cultural factors on health and wellness
Key Areas of Health Psychology:
Behavior and Health – Examining how behaviors like smoking, diet, exercise, and stress management influence health.
Psychological Factors in Illness – Understanding how stress, personality, and coping mechanisms affect disease progression and recovery.
Healthcare and Patient Behavior – Studying how patients adhere to medical advice and interact with healthcare professionals.
Prevention and Intervention – Designing programs to promote healthy behaviors, such as smoking cessation or weight management.
Chronic Illness and Pain Management – Helping patients cope with conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and chronic pain.
Psychoneuroimmunology
the study of how psychological, neural, and endocrine processes together effect our immune system and resulting health
ex;
1. Stress and Immune Function
Chronic Stress & Illness: Long-term stress (e.g., from caregiving, job pressure, or trauma) leads to increased cortisol levels, which suppress immune function, making people more vulnerable to infections like the common cold.
Exam Stress & Immunity: Studies show that students experience weakened immune responses (e.g., reduced T-cell activity) during exam periods, making them more susceptible to illness.
2. Depression and Inflammation
Inflammatory Response & Mental Health: Depression is linked to higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can worsen mood and increase fatigue, contributing to a cycle of poor mental and physical health.
Approach and Avoidance motives
the drive to move toward (approach) or away from (avoid) stimulus
Examples of Approach Motives:
Academic Achievement: Studying hard to earn high grades and gain recognition.
Social Relationships: Making new friends to experience belonging and connection.
Career Growth: Seeking a promotion to achieve professional success and financial stability.
Examples of Avoidance Motives:
Academic Pressure: Studying to avoid failing a test and disappointing parents.
Social Anxiety: Avoiding parties to prevent awkward social interactions.
Job Performance: Working extra hours to avoid being reprimanded by a boss.
General adaption syndrome (GAS)
Selye’s concept of the bodys adaptive response to stress in 3 stages
alarm- sympathetic nervous systems activated, heart rate increases, blood is diverted to your skeletal muscles. With your resources mobilized, you are ready to fight back
resistance- your temperature, blood pressure, and respiration remain high, your endocrine system pumps epinephrine and norepinephrine into your bloodstream. You are fully engaged, summoning all your resources to meet the challenge. As time passes, with no relief from stress, your body’s reserves dwindle.
exhaustion- with exhaustion, you become more vulnerable to illness or even, in extreme cases, passing out and death
ex;
1. Work-Related Stress
Alarm Stage: A person receives an overwhelming workload, triggering a stress response (increased heart rate, adrenaline surge).
Resistance Stage: The person adapts by working extra hours and managing deadlines, though stress remains.
Exhaustion Stage: After months of overwork, burnout occurs, leading to fatigue, anxiety, or even physical illness.
2. Exercise and Physical Training
Alarm Stage: A beginner starts an intense workout, experiencing muscle soreness and fatigue.
Resistance Stage: Over time, the body adapts, muscles strengthen, and endurance improves.
Exhaustion Stage: Overtraining without rest leads to injuries, chronic fatigue, or decreased performance.
Tend-and-befriend response
under stress, people (especially woman) may nurture themselves and others (tend) and bond with and seek support from others (befriend)
ex;
1. Parental Care During Crisis
A mother protects and comforts her children during a natural disaster, keeping them calm and ensuring their safety while seeking help from others.
2. Support During Workplace Stress
A group of coworkers, facing layoffs, support each other emotionally, share job leads, and encourage each other instead of panicking or acting competitively.
3. Community Bonding in Difficult Times
After a hurricane, neighbors come together to provide food, shelter, and emotional support, forming stronger bonds in the process.
coronary heart disease
the clogging of the vessels that nourish the heart muscle; a leading cause of death in many developed countries
ex;
Causes and Risk Factors
Lifestyle Factors
Unhealthy diet (high in saturated fats, cholesterol, and sugar)
Lack of physical activity
Smoking
Excessive alcohol consumption
Medical Conditions
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Obesity
Psychological Factors
Chronic stress: Increases cortisol and inflammation, worsening heart health.
Type A personality: Competitive, impatient, and aggressive traits linked to higher CHD risk.
Depression & Anxiety: Can lead to poor lifestyle choices and increased heart strain.
Type A
Friedman and Rosenman’s term for competitive, hard-driven, impatient, verbally aggressive, and anger-prone people
ex;
A manager constantly checks emails, rushes through meetings, and gets frustrated when things are inefficient.
A student obsessively studies for exams, aiming for the highest grades, and feels anxious about minor mistakes.
An athlete trains excessively, always aiming to outperform others and win at any cost.
A driver aggressively honks and weaves through traffic because they can’t tolerate delays.
A salesperson competes fiercely with coworkers and works overtime to close the most deals.
Type B
Friedman and Rosenman’s term for easygoing, relaxed people
ex;
A teacher enjoys guiding students but doesn’t stress about achieving perfect results.
An artist focuses on creativity rather than rushing to finish a painting for an exhibition.
A traveler remains calm even when flights get delayed, using the time to read or relax.
A musician plays for enjoyment rather than obsessing over winning competitions.
A software engineer takes breaks between tasks, enjoys teamwork, and doesn’t panic over tight deadlines.
Catastrophes (Major Traumatic Events)
These are large-scale, unpredictable disasters that cause extreme stress and trauma.
Examples:
Natural Disasters: A family loses their home in a hurricane, leading to financial struggles and emotional distress.
Terrorist Attacks: A survivor of a bombing experiences PTSD, anxiety, and fear of public places.
War and Conflict: Refugees fleeing war zones suffer from long-term trauma and uncertainty about their future.
Pandemics: Healthcare workers face burnout, exhaustion, and emotional distress while treating patients during a health crisis.
Significant-life change
These are major transitions that disrupt normal life and require adaptation.
Examples:
Marriage: Planning a wedding and adjusting to married life can bring financial and emotional stress.
Divorce: Separating from a partner leads to emotional distress, financial struggles, and lifestyle changes.
Relocation: Moving to a new city for work can cause stress due to adjusting to a new environment and social isolation.
Death of a Loved One: Losing a close family member results in grief, sadness, and long-term emotional stress.
Job Loss: Unemployment creates financial pressure, self-doubt, and anxiety about the future.
Daily Hassles (everyday frustrations)
These are minor but frequent annoyances that build up over time.
Examples:
Traffic Jams: Being stuck in traffic every morning leads to frustration and impatience.
Work Deadlines: Constant pressure to meet deadlines causes stress and burnout.
Technology Issues: A slow internet connection or a crashing laptop during an important task increases stress.
Parenting Struggles: Juggling work and taking care of children creates daily stress.
Financial Worries: Struggling to pay bills each month leads to ongoing anxiety.
Social Stressors (interpersonal and societal pressures)
These involve pressures from social interactions and expectations.
Examples:
Peer Pressure: A teenager feels stressed about fitting in with friends and meeting social expectations.
Workplace Conflicts: Disagreements with a boss or coworkers create tension and anxiety.
Social Media Comparison: Constantly seeing others' "perfect" lives online leads to self-doubt and stress.
Bullying & Harassment: Being the target of bullying (online or in-person) causes emotional distress.
Discrimination: Facing racial, gender, or cultural discrimination leads to long-term psychological stress.
Fight-or-flight response in stress
the body's automatic reaction to stress or danger, preparing a person to either fight the threat or flee from it. This response is controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), specifically the sympathetic nervous system, and is triggered by the release of stress hormones like adrenaline (epinephrine) and cortisol.
ex;
✅ Physical Threat: Encountering a bear while hiking → Your body prepares to run (flight) or defend yourself (fight).
✅ Public Speaking: Feeling anxious before going on stage → Increased heart rate and sweating as your body prepares for "battle."
✅ Job Interview: Feeling nervous before an important interview → Adrenaline rush, dry mouth, and fast breathing.
✅ Confrontation: Getting into a heated argument → Body tenses, voice raises, and heart races as you prepare to defend yourself.
✅ Near-Accident: Swerving to avoid a car crash → A split-second reaction driven by adrenaline.
Stress and Its Influence on the Immune System
Stress has a significant negative impact on the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to illness and disease. When stress is prolonged, it can suppress immune function, increase inflammation, and slow down the body's ability to heal.
How Stress Affects the Immune System
Activation of the Stress Response:
The brain perceives stress and triggers the fight-or-flight response.
The body releases cortisol and adrenaline, which prepare the body to deal with the stressor.
Short-Term Effects (Acute Stress):
Brief stress (e.g., before an exam or giving a speech) can temporarily boost the immune system by mobilizing immune cells.
However, if stress is too intense, it can start to suppress immunity.
Long-Term Effects (Chronic Stress):
Increased Cortisol Levels:
Chronic stress keeps cortisol levels high, which suppresses white blood cell production, weakening the immune system.
Reduced Lymphocytes (White Blood Cells):
The body has fewer T-cells and B-cells, reducing its ability to fight infections.
Increased Inflammation:
Stress can trigger an overactive immune response, leading to chronic inflammation, which is linked to autoimmune diseases, heart disease, and diabetes.
Delayed Healing:
Wounds take longer to heal because stress reduces the body’s repair functions.
Examples of Stress Weakening the Immune System
🔹 Frequent Illness: People experiencing prolonged stress (e.g., caregivers of sick relatives, students during finals) often catch colds or infections more easily.
🔹 Slower Recovery from Surgery or Injury: Stress can delay healing after surgery due to reduced immune response.
🔹 Autoimmune Diseases: Chronic stress can worsen conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis by increasing inflammation.
🔹 Cancer Progression: Some research suggests that chronic stress may promote tumor growth by weakening immune surveillance against cancer cells.
Stress mediator
the factors or processes that influence how we perceive and respond to stress. These include psychological, biological, and environmental factors that either enhance or reduce the impact of stress.
Factors That Influence Stress Responses
A. Cognitive Appraisal (How We Perceive Stress)
Primary Appraisal: The initial judgment of whether an event is stressful (threatening, challenging, or neutral).
Example: A person sees an unexpected bill and initially perceives it as a threat, feeling anxious and overwhelmed.
Secondary Appraisal: The evaluation of available resources to cope with the stressor.
Example: After the initial shock, the person considers their financial resources and decides they can manage the bill by cutting back on expenses.
B. Personality Traits
Type A Personality: People who are more competitive, impatient, and aggressive often perceive and react to stressors more intensely.
Example: A Type A manager might experience heightened stress and anger when facing a tight deadline.
Type B Personality: People who are more relaxed and laid-back tend to handle stress more effectively.
Example: A Type B colleague might take the same deadline in stride, using effective time management to meet it calmly.
C. Social Support
Having a strong network of friends, family, or colleagues can act as a buffer against stress. Social support helps individuals cope more effectively.
Example: A person who has supportive friends may find it easier to cope with a personal crisis like losing a job compared to someone who feels isolated.
D. Coping Strategies
Problem-Focused Coping: Directly addressing the stressor by seeking solutions or taking action.
Example: An employee stressed about a heavy workload decides to organize tasks and delegate responsibilities to manage the stress.
Emotion-Focused Coping: Managing the emotional impact of the stressor by seeking comfort, relaxation, or distraction.
Example: A person under stress might meditate or engage in a hobby to relax and distract themselves from the situation.
Stress responses
refer to how the body reacts to stressors, including both physical and emotional reactions.
How the Body Reacts to Stress
A. Physiological Responses
Fight-or-Flight Response: The body reacts to stress by preparing to either fight or flee from the perceived threat.
Example: You encounter a dangerous situation (e.g., an approaching car) and feel your heart race, muscles tense, and adrenaline surge, preparing you to act quickly.
Increased Heart Rate & Blood Pressure: Stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisol) cause the heart to pump faster, increasing blood pressure.
Example: Someone who is nervous before a public speaking event might notice their heart racing and palms sweating.
Elevated Breathing Rate: Breathing becomes faster and shallow to supply more oxygen to muscles.
Example: An athlete preparing for a race experiences rapid breathing as their body readies itself for physical exertion.
B. Emotional Responses
Anxiety & Fear: Feeling of unease or worry when faced with an uncertain or threatening situation.
Example: A person anticipating a major exam might feel anxious or fearful about their performance.
Irritability & Frustration: When under stress, individuals may become easily irritated or frustrated.
Example: A parent juggling work and childcare may feel irritable due to constant time pressure.
Sadness & Depression: Chronic stress can lead to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and even depression if stressors persist without resolution.
Example: Someone experiencing prolonged job insecurity might feel low and lose motivation.
C. Behavioral Responses
Avoidance: People may avoid dealing with the stressor, often to escape the anxiety it causes.
Example: An employee avoids confronting a difficult coworker, leading to ongoing tension and frustration.
Overeating or Undereating: Stress can lead to unhealthy eating behaviors as a coping mechanism.
Example: A person under high work stress might eat junk food excessively or lose their appetite entirely.
Substance Abuse: People may turn to alcohol, smoking, or drugs to manage stress.
Example: A stressed college student might start drinking more frequently to cope with academic pressure.
D. Long-Term Responses
Chronic Illness: Prolonged exposure to stress can lead to conditions like heart disease, hypertension, and digestive problems.
Example: A person who experiences constant work stress may develop high blood pressure over time.
Immunosuppression: Long-term stress weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections.
Example: Someone under chronic stress (like a caregiver) may frequently catch colds or experience slower recovery from illness.
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