AP Psych Unit 5 Part 1

Health Psychology

the study of how psychological, behavioral, and cultural factors contribute to psychological health and illness.

Stress

the response of the body and mind to challenges or demands, characterized by physical, emotional, and mental reactions.

Hypertension

high blood pressure from stress.

Immune Suppression

weakened immune system from stress.

Stressors

the events or conditions that trigger stress by challenging an individual’s ability to cope or adjust.

Eustress

motivating stressors

Distress

debilitating stressors.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

stressful or traumatic evets in childhood that can have long-lasting effects on health and bell-being throughout a person’s life.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

describes how the body reacts and adapts to stress over time.

Alarm

stress reaction phase where the body reacts to a stressor with a “fight-flight-freeze” response, activating stress hormones and physiological changes (sympathetic nervous system).

Resistance

stress phases where the body tries to adapt and cope with a stressor, maintaining heightened alertness and stress hormone levels (high cortisol).

Exhaustion

stress phase where the body’s resources are depleted after prolonged stress, leading to decreased stress tolerance and potential health stress.

Tend-and-Befriend Theory

describes how females react to stress with nurturing activities to protect oneself and one’s offspring along with seeking social support to reduce stress.

Problem-Focused Coping

involves directly managing or solving the source of stress to reduce is impact.

Emotion-Focused Coping

manages the emotional response to stress rather than changing the stressful situation itself (deep breathing, meditation, medication, etc.)

Positive Psychology

a scientific study of human flourishing to help individuals and communities to thrive.

Subjective Well-Being

a method for measuring an individual’s quality of life through their self-perceived happiness or satisfaction with life.

Resilience

the ability to adapt and recover quickly from difficulties or change, maintaining psychological well-being in the face of adversity.

Positive Emotions

feelings that foster enjoyment, interest, and contentment, and contribute to overall well-being and happiness.

Gratitude

considered a positive emotion because it results in an appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself, enhancing overall well-being by fostering positive feelings and relationships.

Signature Strengths/Virtues

the core characteristics that a person naturally possesses and expresses, which contribute to fulfilling, authentic, and engaged living.

Character Strenghts

Wisdom

the ability to make sound decisions based on deep understanding and experience, contributing to effective problem-solving and interpersonal relationships.

Courage

the mental or moral strength to persevere and withstand fear or difficulty, enabling individuals to face challenges and act in accordance with their values despite potential risks.

Humanity

the quality of being passionate, empathetic, and supportive towards others, fostering positive interpersonal relationships and social well-being.

Justice

a commitment to fairness, equity, and advocating for the rights of others, which helps maintain healthy community and societal relationships.

Temperance

self-regulation and control over excesses and impulses, promoting balance and moderation in personal behavior and relationships.

Transcendence

the ability to connect to the larger universe and find meaning beyond oneself, often through appreciation of beauty, gratitude, hope, humor, and spirituality.

Posttraumatic Growth

concept that can have a positive effect of subjective will being because positive psychological changes experienced as a result of struggling with highly challenging life circumstances lead to a higher level of personal interpersonal functioning.

Psychological Disorder

Dysfunction

Distress

Stigma

American Psychiatric Association

Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) World Health Organization

International Classifications of Mental Disorders (ICD)

Eclectic Approach

Behavioral Perspective

Maladaptive Behaviors

Psychodynamic Perspective

Humanistic Perspective

Cognitive Perspective

Maladaptive Thoughts

Evolutionary Perspective

Sociocultural Perspective

Maladaptive Relationships

Biological Perspective

Biopsychosocial Model

Diathesis-Stress Model