AP Psych Vocabulary: Module 39

stress

the process by which we perceive and response to certain events, called stressors, that we appraise as threatening or challenging

approach and avoidance motives

the drive to move toward (approach) or away from (avoid) a stimulus

fight-or-flight response

an emergency response, including activation of the sympathetic nervous system, that mobilizes energy and activity for attacking or erscaping a threat

general adaptation syndrome (GAS)

Selye’s concept of the body’s adaptive response to stress in three phases- alarm, resistance, exhaustion

tend-and-befriend response

under stress, people (especially women) often provide support to others (tend) and bond with and seek support from others (befriend)

health psychology

a subfield of psychology that contributes to behavioral medicine

psychoneuroimmunology

the study of how psychological, neural, and endocrine processes together affect our immune system and resulting health

coronary heart disease

the clogging of the vessels that nourish the heart muscle; a leading cause of death in many developed countries

Type A

Friedman and Rosenman’s term for competitive, hard-driving , impatient, verbally aggressive, and anger-prone people

type b

Friedman and Rosenman’s term for easygoing, relaxed people