Chapter 3: Stress

Psychological hardiness

A cluster of traits that buffer stress and are characterized by commitment, challenge, and control

biofeedback training (BFT)

A means of training people to gain some degree of control over internal bodily responses through the use of physiological monitoring equipment that provides feedback (information) about changes in these responses.

Self-efficiency expectations

Beliefs to the effect that one can handle a task

acupuncture

Chinese medical practice of inserting needles into certain areas of the body

life changes

Major changes in life circumstances, such as getting married, starting (or losing) a job, or losing a loved one.

Type B

Relaxed and focused more on quality of life

Stress

An event that exerts physical and psychological stress on a person. Also can be a demand made on an organism to adjust.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit information from one neuron to another

avoidance-avoidance conflict

Conflict involving two negative goals, with avoidance of one requiring approach of the other.

multiple approach-avoidance conflict

Conflict involving two or more goals, each of which has positive and negative aspects.

Psychological symptoms of stress

Depressed, anxiety, anger, lack of motivation or energy

Keeping stress at manageable levels

Dont bite off more than you can chew. reduce daily hassles. Develop time-management skills.

Ten doorways to distress

Ellis believed that our beliefs about events can be stressors that challenge our ability to adjust. There being ten (10) beliefs. Table 3.3 on page 98

Social support sources

Emotional concern, such as by listening to people's problems and expressing feelings of sympathy, caring, understanding, and reassurance. Instrumental aid, such as material support and services that facilitate adaptive behavior. For example, after a disaster a government may arrange for low-interest loans so that survivors can rebuild. Relief organizations may provide food, medicines, and temporary living quarters. Information, such as guidance and advice that enhances people's ability to cope. Appraisal, such as feedback from others about how one is doing. This kind of support involves helping people interpret, or "make sense of," what has happened to them. Socializing, such as through simple conversation, recreation, even going shopping with another person. Socializing has beneficial effects, even when it is not oriented specifically toward solving problems.

Students reasoning for seeking counseling stats

Stress, Anxiety, nervous- 51% Romantic relations-47% Low self-esteem/confidence-42% Depression-41% Family relations-37% Academic problams-29% Transition to career world-25% Lonley-25% Financial problems-24%

Locus of control

The place to which individual attributes control over the receiving of reinforcers

Type A behavior pattern

a pattern of stress-producing behavior characterized by aggressiveness, perfectionism, unwillingness to relinquish control, and a sense of time urgency

Hypnosis

an altered state of consciousness characterized by narrowed attention and increased suggestibility

approach-avoidance conflict

conflict involving a goal with positive and negative features

approach-approach conflict

conflict involving two positive but mutually exclusive goals

Defensive coping

coping that involves unconscious strategies that distort or deny the true nature of a situation. withdrawal from social life. Denial of stresser. substance use and aggression.

acculturative stress

feelings of tension and anxiety caused by the inability to adapt in the new country

Physical symptoms of stress

muscle tension, headache, upset stomach, change in appetite, grinding teeth, change in sex drive, tight chest, dizzy, change in menstrual cycle, erectile dysfunction

Endorphins

neurotransmitters that comprise chains of amino acids and are functionally similar to morphine

analgesic

painkiller

Daily hassles

routine sources of annoyance or aggravation that have a negative impact on health

Prostaglandins

substances derived from a fatty acid that act as hormones at the local level

meditation

the focusing of attention to clear one's mind and produce relaxation

Uplifts

the term used by Lazarus et al. for regularly occurring enjoyable experiences.

frustration

the thwarting of a desire to obtain a goal