Unit 5 Vocab Part 1
Stress: the response of the body and mind to challenges or demands, characterized by physical, emotional, and mental reactions.
Stressors: events or conditions that trigger stress by challenging an individual's ability to cope or adjust.
Eustress (Motivating): positive stress that enhances motivation, performance, and emotional well-being
Distress (Debilitating): negative stress that decreases motivation, impairs performance, and leads to emotional and physical problems.
Daily Hassles: minor irritations that occur regularly.
Significant life changes: major events that require adaptation.
Catastrophes: unpredictable, large-scale events that cause widespread stress.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): stressful or traumatic events in childhood that can have long-lasting effects on health and well-being throughout a person's life.
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): three-stage response to stress that includes alarm, resistance, and exhaustion, describing how the body reacts and adapts to stress over time.
Alarm Reaction Phase: the initial stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome, where the body reacts to a stressor with a "fight-or-flight" response, activating stress hormones and physiological changes.
Fight-Flight-Freeze Response: a physiological reaction to perceived threats that prepares the body to fight, flee, or freeze to enhance survival.
Resistance Phase: the second stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome, where the body tries to adapt and cope with a stressor, maintaining heightened alertness and stress hormone levels.
Exhaustion Phase: the final stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome, where the body's resources are depleted after prolonged stress, leading to decreased stress tolerance and potential health issues.
Tend-and-Befriend Theory: behavioral reaction to stress that involves nurturing activities to protect oneself and one's offspring, and seeking social support to reduce stress.
Problem-Focused Coping: involves directly managing or solving the source of stress to reduce its impact.
Emotion-Focused Coping: managing the emotional response to stress rather than changing the stressful situation itself.
Positive Psychology: the scientific study of human flourishing to help individuals and communities to thrive.
Subjective Well-Being: 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.
Posttraumatic Growth: positive psychological changes experienced as a result of struggling with highly challenging life circumstances, leading to a higher level of personal or interpersonal functioning
Positive Emotions: feelings that foster enjoyment, interest, and contentment, and contribute to overall well-being and happiness.
Gratitude: the appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself, enhancing overall well-being by fostering positive feelings and relationships.
Signature Strengths & Virtues: core characteristics that a person naturally possesses an
d expresses, which contribute to fulfilling, authentic, and engaged living.
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 compassionate, 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.