Chapter 5

allostatic load

"wear and tear" of the body due to prolonged activation of physiological stress response

Epinephrine

chemical manufactured by the adrenal medulla accounting for much of the hormone production of the adrenal glands

Neurotransmitter

chemical released by neurons that affects the activity of other neurons

hormone

chemical substance released into the blood and having effects on other parts of the body

Catecholamines

class of chemicals containing epinephrine and norepinephrine

urban press

collection of environmental stressors that affect city living, including noise, crowding, crime, and pollution

personal control

confidence that people have in their ability to influence the events that shape their lives

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

division of the autonomic nervous system that mobilizes the body's resources in stressful and emotional situations

parasympathetic nervous system

division of the autonomic nervous system that promotes relaxation and functions under normal, non-stressful conditions

pituitary gland

endocrine gland that lies within the brain and whose secretions regulate many other glands

adrenal medulla

inner layer of the adrenal glands; secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine

neuron

nerve cell

social network

number of kinds of people with whom one associates; social contacts

secondary appraisal

one's perceived ability to control or cope with harm, threat, or challenge

adrenal cortex

outer layer of the adrenal glands; secretes glucocorticoids

adrenal glands

pair of endocrine glands that secrete hormones and effect metabolism

autonomic nervous system (ANS)

part of the peripheral nervous system that primarily serves internal organs

Optimists

people who have a positive outlook on life and expect good things to happen to them

resistance stage

phase of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) in which the body adapts to a stressor

exhaustion stage

phase of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) in which the body's ability to resist a stressor has been depleted

Alarm reaction

phase of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) in which the body's defenses are mobilized against a stressor

crowding

psychological condition arising from a person's perception of the high-density environment in which that person is confined

central nervous system (CNS)

set of all neurons within the brain and spinal chord

Periphereal Nervous System (PNS)

set of neurons that lie outside the brain and spinal chord

problem-focused coping

set of strategies aimed at changing the source of the stress

coping

set of strategies individuals use to manage the distressing problems and emotions in their lives

emotion-focused coping

set of strategies oriented toward managing the emotions that accompany the perception of stress

synaptic cleft

space between neurons

Catharsis

spoken or written expression of strong negative emotion, which may improve physiological or psychological health

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

substance produced by the pituitary gland that is involved in the stress response

emotional disclosure

technique whereby people express their feelings by talking or writing about the events that precipitated them

social isolation

the absence of specific role relationships

Cortisol

type of glucocorticoid that provides a natural defense against inflammation and regulated carbohydrate metabolism

Allostasis

The concept that different circumstances require different levels of physiological activation