Chapter 10: Stress, Health, and Coping
Stress vs. Stressor
* Stressor: Anything that causes stress (an event, situation, or demand).
* Example: Exams, losing a job, relationship problems.
* Stress: The body’s response to a stressor.
* Example: Feeling anxious, increased heart rate.
Types of Stressors
1. Catastrophe
* Large, unpredictable events affecting many people.
* Example: Natural disasters, wars.
2. Significant Life Changes
* Major events that require adjustment.
* Example: Divorce, moving, starting college.
3. Daily Stressors
* Small everyday problems.
* Example: Traffic, homework, arguments.
Sympathetic Nervous System & Fight-or-Flight
* Activates during stressful situations.
* Prepares the body to react.
* Causes:
* Increased heart rate
* Faster breathing
* More energy released
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
A three-stage response to stress:
1. Alarm: Body reacts to stress.
2. Resistance: Body tries to adapt and continue functioning.
3. Exhaustion: Long-term stress drains resources.
Type A vs. Type B Personality
Type A:
* Competitive
* Impatient
* Time-urgent
* More stress-prone
Type B:
* Relaxed
* Patient
* Less stressed
Immune System & Stress
* Long-term stress weakens the immune system.
* Makes the body more vulnerable to illness.
Locus of Control
Internal locus of control:
* Belief that you control your outcomes.
External locus of control:
* Belief that outside forces control outcomes (luck, fate).
Managing Stress
* Aerobic exercise
* Meditation
* Relaxation techniques
* Spending time with pets
* Social support
* Healthy sleep habits
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Chapter 11: Social Psychology
Fundamental Attribution Error
* Tendency to explain others’ behavior by personality instead of situations.
* Example: “He’s lazy” instead of considering he may be exhausted.
Attitudes
* Feelings and beliefs that influence behavior.
* Made of:
* Thoughts
* Feelings
* Actions
Cognitive Dissonance
* Mental discomfort from having conflicting beliefs or behaviors.
* Example: Knowing smoking is unhealthy but continuing to smoke.
Social Contagion
* Spread of behaviors, emotions, or ideas through groups.
* Example: Panic spreading through a crowd.
Classic Studies
Asch’s Line Study
* Showed people may conform to a group even when the group is wrong.
Milgram’s Obedience Study
* Showed people may obey authority figures even when uncomfortable.
Social Facilitation vs. Social Loafing
Social Facilitation:
* Performance improves when others are watching.
Social Loafing:
* People put in less effort when working in groups.
Deindividuation
* Losing self-awareness and responsibility in a group.
* Example: Crowds acting differently than individuals.
Ingoups vs. Outgroups
Ingroup:
* Group you belong to.
Outgroup:
* Group you see as different.
Can lead to:
* Bias
* Stereotypes
* Prejudice
Passionate vs. Companionate Love
Passionate Love:
* Intense attraction and excitement.
Companionate Love:
* Deep affection, trust, and commitment.
Altruism & Bystander Effect
Altruism:
* Helping others without expecting a reward.
Bystander Effect:
* People are less likely to help when others are present.
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Chapter 12: Personality
Personality
* Patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that make someone unique.
Psychoanalytic Theory (Freud)
Id
* Wants immediate pleasure.
* “I want it now.”
Ego
* Reality-based decision maker.
* Balances id and superego.
Superego
* Morals and rules.
Defense Mechanisms
Ways the mind protects itself from anxiety.
Examples:
* Denial: Refusing to accept reality.
* Projection: Blaming feelings on others.
* Rationalization: Creating excuses.
Humanistic Theory
* Focuses on personal growth and reaching full potential.
* Carl Rogers developed Person-Centered Therapy.
Trait Theory (Big Five)
Five major personality traits:
OCEAN
* Openness
* Conscientiousness
* Extraversion
* Agreeableness
* Neuroticism
Spotlight Effect vs. Narcissism
Spotlight Effect:
* Believing others notice you more than they actually do.
Narcissism:
* Excessive self-focus and feeling superior.
Kruger-Dunning Effect
* People with low ability may overestimate their skills.
Individualistic vs. Collectivistic Cultures
Individualistic:
* Focus on independence and personal goals.
Collectivistic:
* Focus on family, groups, and cooperation.
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Chapter 13: Psychological Disorders
Psychological Disorder
* A pattern of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that causes distress or problems functioning.
Anxiety Disorders
* Excessive fear or worry.
Examples:
* Generalized anxiety disorder
* Panic disorder
* Phobias
OCD
* Obsessions (unwanted thoughts)
* Compulsions (repetitive behaviors)
PTSD
* Stress disorder after experiencing or witnessing trauma.
Substance Use Disorder
* Difficulty controlling substance use despite negative effects.
Major Depressive Disorder
Symptoms include:
* Persistent sadness
* Loss of interest
* Changes in sleep or energy
Bipolar Disorder
* Episodes of depression and mania.
* Mania involves unusually high energy, mood, or activity.
Suicidal Ideation
* Thoughts about suicide. (Important: any concerns about safety should be taken seriously and support should be reached out to.)
Schizophrenia
* Disorder involving:
* Hallucinations
* Delusions
* Disorganized thinking
Personality Disorders
Antisocial PD
* Disregard for others’ rights and social rules.
Narcissistic PD
* Extreme need for admiration and lack of empathy.
Borderline PD
* Difficulty with emotions, relationships, and sense of self.
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Chapter 14: Treatment
Psychotherapy
* Treatment using psychological methods to improve mental health.
Types of Psychotherapy
Psychoanalysis/Psychodynamic
* Focuses on unconscious conflicts and past experiences.
Client-Centered/Humanistic
* Focuses on acceptance, growth, and self-understanding.
Behavioral Therapy
* Changes behaviors through learning principles.
Cognitive Therapy
* Changes unhealthy thought patterns.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
* Combines changing thoughts and behaviors.
Family Therapy
* Works with family relationships.
Group Therapy
* Therapy with multiple people.
Evidence-Based Practice
* Treatments supported by scientific research.
Therapeutic Lifestyle Change
Improving mental health through:
* Exercise
* Sleep
* Nutrition
* Social connection
Biomedical Treatments
Medication
* Treats symptoms through biological processes.
ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy)
* Uses controlled electrical stimulation to treat severe depression.
Psychosurgery
* Surgery involving the brain (rare).
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)
* Uses magnetic stimulation to affect brain activity.
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Quick Test Tips:
* Stress = response, Stressor = cause
* Asch = conformity
* Milgram = obedience
* Big Five = OCEAN
* Id = pleasure, Ego = reality, Superego = morals
* CBT = thoughts + behaviors
* Bystander effect = less helping in groups
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