Psychology Chapter 12

Allostasis vs. Homeostasis

* allostasis helps body remain stable through CHANGING INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT- healthy fluctuations. *homeostasis helps body remains stable through CONSTANCY- no fluctuate.

GAS strengths

*1st to identity stress could weaken ability to fight infection *identifies physiological mechanisms associated with stress (endocrine system) *identifies that bodies have limited resources to cope with stress.

fight or flight changes

*HR *blood supply *liver function *pupil dilation *digestion *bladder *respiration

fight or flight

*INVOLUNTARY reaction resulting in a state of PHYSIOLOGICAL AROUSAL/ readiness to deal with sudden/immediate threat either through confrontation or fleeing.

meditation & relaxation

*Meditation is an intentional attempt to bring about a deeply relaxed state in order to reduce one, or more effects of stress related symptoms. *Relaxation is any activity that brings about a state of reduced physiological and psychological tension. *When relaxed people report feeling calm, low level of anxiety. Slow breathing rate Low muscle tension. very successful for treating those with anxiety.

types of stressors

*Physical- injury, hunger, heat, cold , pain fatigue, predators. *Psychological- grades, job, money, relationships, traffic *Acute stressors- demand immediate attention, not long lasting *chronic stressors- longer duration, constant source of worry

GAS weaknesses

*one size fits all approach (non specific) *ignores cognitive processes *not all respond same way *used animals- generalisations not 100%

General Adaptation Syndrome- GAS

*selye (1930s) *exposed rats to different stressors (electric shock-ouch, surgical trauma, intense cold etc.) *observed reactions *proposed organisms go through a sequence of consistent responses (three stages)

GAS what does it look like

...

GAS

1956- developed a generalised model to explain the stress response * it is a three stage physiological stress response that occurs regardless of the stressor that is encountered. (non-specific)

GAS- alarm reactions stage

1:body's first reaction to stress: sympathetic nervous system activated and body mobilises its resources to cope (initial reduction in resistance- SHOCK RESPONSE- BP and muscle tone reduce) 2: COUNTERSHOCK- body prepared for immediate action (fight/flight) by the end the body is ready to resist stress strongly, but cannot maintain this for very long. if stressor remains...

fight flight- how it works

1:threat perceived 2:HYPOTHALAMUS activated 3: stimulates PITUITARY GLAND 4:secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) 5:travels through bloodstream 6:stimulates ADRENAL GLANDS (just above kidneys) = HPA AXIS 7: adrenal glands secrete ADRENALINE (EPINEPHRINE) and NORADRENALIN (NOREPINEPHERINE) as well as CORTISOL 8: A&NA boost SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM 9. INCREASE HR, BP,BR 10. C increases METABOLISM, and GLUCOSE in blood to make fuel for muscles (endocrine system) 11.more oxygen available to muscles to meet immediate energy needs

GAS- resistance stage

3. Resistance stage- body tried to adapt, intense arousal declines but does not return to resting levels - hormone levels (glucorticoid[grp of hormones that suppress immune system] from adrenal glands), HR< BR still elevated, but behavioural signs not obvious 4. eventually depletes body's resources and decreases ability to cope (often increase susceptibility to illness increases as immunosuppressive response remains)

GAS- exhaustion stage

5.if stressor intense and persists, the body enters exhaustion " elevated levels of adrenaline&noradrenalie deplete the body of energy reserves = fatigue, loss of appetite and general apathy > depression. *poor immunity + low energy = low resistance *selye rats adrenal glands enlarged and discoloured, shrinking thymus, spleen & lymph nodes

strategies for coping

All of the strategies that are examinable (Biofeedback, meditation/relaxation, physical exercise, social support) emphasize the close body- mind relationship.

Psychological responses to stress

BEHAVIOURAL; looks, talks, acts (facial expressions, shaky voice, jumpiness etc.) EMOTIONAL; anxiety, tension, depression, short tempered, irritable. COGNITIVE: ability to learn/think impaired, perceptions exaggerated, difficulty concentration, focusing, etc.

Environmental factors that exacerbate or alleviate stress

Crowding Noise Air pollution Where you face the stressor

allostatic load

Cumulative (repeated) exposure to increased secretion of stress hormones can lead to 'wear and tear' on the body known as Allostatic Load. With frequent stress our bodies become less able to turn on and off the alostatic response This concept helps to explain how chronic stress can influence onset of physical disorders.

Transactional Model of S&C weaknesses

Difficult to test through experimental research Primary and Secondary appraisals can interact with each other and are often simultaneous Some psychologists doubt we need to appraise something to view it as stressful

Transactional Model of S&C 4.

EMOTION FOCUSED COPING- involves strategies to attend to out emotional responses to a stressor i.e denial, acceptance, vent emotions

Transactional Model of S&C strengths

Emphasizes psych components of stress which are personal Views stress an interaction between person and env, emphasizing each individuals role in interpreting stress Allows for a lot of variability in the stress response

biofeedback

Is a technique that involves an individual receiving information (feedback) about the state of a bodily process (bio) and with appropriate training, learn to control a related physiological resp using thought processes.

social support

Is help or assistance from other people when needed. Family members, Friends, Neighbours, Work colleagues, Peers/ teachers OR professionals: psychs,, counsellors, nurses *Appraisal Support: improves understanding of stressful event through appraising it with someone and better understanding of coping strategies *Tangible Assistance: provision of material support eg money, food a job *Information support: information required from someone that can help to ease stress *Emotional Support: warmth, nurturance, reassurance

physical exercise

Is physical activity that is usually planned and performed to improve or maintain ones physical condition. It is now accepted that physical activity is important not only for physical wellbeing but psychological wellbeing also. Exercise included in many stress management programs

Homeostasis

Is the body's ability to maintain a stable physiological environment by keeping certain bodily conditions constant e.g.blood oxygen level, core body temp, water content in body

stress

Is the state of PHYSIOLOGICAL AROUSAL produced by internal or external stressors that are PERCEIVED by the individual as challenging or EXCEEDING their ability or resources to COPE.

Cultural Factors that exacerbate or alleviate the stress response

Location vs culture (acculturation) Preservation of values and beliefs in new society Racism related stress

Allostasis

May be defined as the process by which stability through change is maintained in the face of stressors. It means that the body adapts and changes in the face of stressors to maintain as normal a state as possible Eg. The HPA axis and autonomic NS and Cardiovascular systems

distress

NEGATIVE psychological resonse to the stressor as indicated by the presence of negative psychological states i.e anger, anxiety, irritability, tension

eustress

POSITIVE psychological response to stressor, indicated by presence of positive psychological states i.e. enthusiasm, excitement, activity, alertness.

Transactional Model of S&C 5.

PROBLEM FOCUSED COPING involves efforts to manage or change the cause or source of the problem, that is, the stressor.

Stress Reaction

Psychological and physiological changes experiences when confronted with a stressor.

Transactional Model of S&C 2.

REAPPRAISAL- assess if ability to cope matches the oping demands of situation (situation + resources available) > (resources + threat)

Social factors that can exacerbate or alleviate stress

Relationships Social skills Social support Feelings of loneliness (anything that involves interactions with others) Discrimination/ bullying

stressor

can be PHYSICAL or PSYCHOLOGICAL (internal/ external) and causes stress.

fight or flight- why

dependent on GENETIC MAKEUP, and WHAT SITUATION is. (also triggered by psychological threats as well as physical)

Transactional Model of S&C 3.

is the process of constantly CHANGING BEHAVIOURAL & COGNITIVE EFFORTS to manage specific internal or external stressors that are APPRAISED as taxing or EXCEEDING the RESOURCES of the person.

Lazarus & Folkmans Transactional Model of stress and coping

proposes that stress involves encounter bw indiv + environment and depends on indivs interpretation or APPRAISAL of the stressor & ability to cope with it. stress = indiv + environment

stress reactions

two major physiological changes with occur when stressed; *fight/flight response *general adaptation syndrome (GAS)

Transactional Model of S&C 1.

two types of appraisals; PRIMARY- evaluation of significance of situation (does this matter, is it important) > irrelevant, benign, positive, stressful( i so > harm? threat? challenge) < additional appraisal SECONDARY- evaluation of ability to cope and resources (how to deal with it)