Chapter 12 - Stress

Question 1

Stress

Answer 1

• Pattern of (negative) physical, behavioural, emotional, or cognitive responses to real or imagined stimuli
• (stress as a response approach)

Question 2

Stressor

Answer 2

• Stimulus that triggers the stress response

- (stressor as a stimulus approach)

Question 3

Kinds of stressors

Answer 3

• Acute: short term, defined end-point (almost hit by car)
• Chronic: long term, no defined end-point (unemployment)
• Daily hassles: “micro-stressors” (traffic, lines)—cumulative effect of these is better predictor of well-being and health that major life events

Question 4

Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)

Answer 4

• Life changes (which are major stressors) are ranked

- Higher the score, higher the readjustment in behaviour and/or lifestyle

Question 5

Issues with SRRS

Answer 5

• Focuses more on negative events
• Does not differentiate chronic vs acute stressors
• Does not apply to all groups (some populations rank things differently)

Question 6

How different populations differ in SRRS rankings

Answer 6

• Young children find physical stressors most stressful
• Older children: social exclusion, bullying, homework, embarrassment, death of loved one
• University students: death (similar to other adults)l also use College Undergraduate Stress Scale

Question 7

Physical responses associated with stress

Answer 7

• Increased HR and Respiration
• Increased BP
• Changes in digestive functioning
• Sweating
• Tremors

Question 8

Two pathways re: Stress

Answer 8

1. Sympathetic Nervous System activation (within seconds - releases epinephrine and norepinephrine )
2. HPA-Axis: Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (within minutes - releases cortisol)

Question 9

Sympathetic Nervous System Activation (stress pathway)

Answer 9

Stressor > Brain > Hypothalamus > SNS > Adrenal Medulla > Nor/epinephrine > Increased Energy

Question 10

HPS-Axis (stress pathway)

Answer 10

Stressor > Brain > Hypothalamus/Pituitary Gland/Adrenal Cortex (interaction) > Cortisol > Increased Energy

Question 11

“Fight or Flight”

Answer 11

• Walter Cannon
• Sympathetic Nervous System
• Help us deal with short term threats