3.3.1 Characteristics Of Stress Flashcards Preview

A Level Psychology > 3.3.1 Characteristics Of Stress > Flashcards

Flashcards in 3.3.1 Characteristics Of Stress Deck (26)
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1
Q

Why is stress not considered a mental illness?

A

It is a natural part of life

We all experience it when we find ourselves under pressure

2
Q

Stress is the physical and psychological strain generated by what?

A

Physical, emotional, social, economic or occupational circumstances, events or experiences which are difficult to endure or manage

3
Q

Are the circumstances that cause stress always negative?

A

No they can be positive e.g. Having a baby, getting married, holidays

4
Q

(Physical) what did Hans Selye (1936) carry out?

A

Research on rats exposed to a range of stressors

5
Q

(Physical) what did Hans Selye call these stressors?

A

Acute nocuous agents

6
Q

(Physical) Hans Selye found what appeared in response to all the stressors and what did he call this?

A

The same physical symptoms

General adaptation syndrome (GAS)

7
Q

(Physical) Hans Seyle - what does the GAS involves activation of the nervous system to do what?

A

Release hormones preparing us for the fight or flight response making us more able to deal with the stressor

8
Q

(Psychological) our response to stress depends largely on what?

A

How we perceive the stressor

9
Q

(Psychological) what model did Lazarus and Folkman come up with? (1984)

A

The transactional model of stress

10
Q

(Psychological) What is the transactional model of stress?

A

Stressor - primary appraisal - secondary appraisal - stress response

11
Q

(Psychological) what is a stressor in the transactional model?

A

The stress provoking event e.g. A Levels

12
Q

(Psychological) what does primary appraisal in the transactional model involve?

A

How much of a threat the stressor is e.g A levels are important and a high threat

13
Q

(Psychological) what is secondary appraisal in the transactional model?

A

How prepared you are to to deal with the stressor e.g. How much you have revised for your a levels

14
Q

(Psychological) what are the two types of stress response in the transactional model of stress?

A

Emotion focused coping or problem focused coping

15
Q

(Types of stress) what is acute stress?

A

Response to a stressor that suddenly appears

16
Q

(Types of stress) give examples of some possible acute stressors:

A

Sudden work deadline
Car accident
Surprise test
Partner leaving you

17
Q

(Types of stress) what is episodic acute stress?

A

Bursts of acute stress in different parts of your life

18
Q

(Types of stress) give some examples of where episodic acute stress might arise?

A

At work
At home
Within the family

19
Q

(Types of stress) is episodic acute stress constant?

A

No there are breaks

20
Q

(Types of stress) what is chronic stress?

A

Long term stress

21
Q

(Types of stress) give some examples of long term stressors:

A

Living in poverty
Ill health
Bad relationships

22
Q

(Types of stress) which type of stress is most likely to cause ill health?

A

Chronic stress

23
Q

(Types of stress) what is eustress?

A

The good type of stress

Opposite of distress

24
Q

(Effects) what are some physical effects of stress?

A
Hair loss 
Acne 
Weight gain
Premature grey hair
Loss of appetite
Diabetes 
Heart disease
Colds
Increased blood pressure
25
Q

(Effects) what are some psychological effects of stress?

A
Lack of concentration
Feeling tired
Impaired memory
Preoccupied though
Difficulty making decisions 
Mood swings
26
Q

(Effects) many physical and psychological effects are compounded by lifestyle effects such as what?

A
Diet change (overeating or not eating)
Poor food choices 
Smoking
Drinking 
Drugs 
Reduced sleep
Reduced social life
Lack of time for interests

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