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Chapter 14 pt. 1: Stress and Health

Studying the Effects of Stress on Health Behavioral Medicine: field that combines knowledge of biomedical perspective and behavioral perspective to study and treat health and illness. Term is often used interchangeably with Psychiatry. Health Psychology: subfield of psychology that is used to contribute to behavioral medicine. Looks at psychological causes of illness and stress (cognitive, environment, social, biological, etc.)

Killers of Yesterday and Today Percentage U.S.deaths 30 20 10 Tuber- culosis Pneu- monia Diarrhea/ enteritis Heart disease 1900 Cancer Strokes Chronic lung disease 1991

What is Stress? Stress is the process by which we respond to events, that we appraise as threatening or challenging. Stressors: are the events/things that stress us out!

Stress Is Not Caused By the Event Itself! Cognition affects how we react and appraise an external event which affects how we respond. Stressors Catastrophes Life changes Hassles Intervening factors Appraisal Perceived control Personality Social support Coping behaviors Stress reactions Physiological Emotional Behavioral

Stress Can Be Harmful or Helpful Depending on Your Appraisal Stressful event (tough math test) Threat (“Yikes! This is beyond me!”) Challenge (“I’ve got to apply all I know”) Panic, freeze up Aroused, focused Appraisal Response

Yerkes-Dodson Principle of Arousal (Not In the Book) Yerkes-Dodson Principle of Arousal: general tasks are performed best with a medium amount of stress/arousal.

Stress Conflicts (Not in the Book) Approach-Approach Conflict: stressful tension state that arises as a result of an attraction toward two attractive goals. Should I go to Harvard or Yale?

Stress Conflicts (Not In The Book) Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict: stressful tension state that arises as a result of a simultaneous repulsion of two goals. Some voters find themselves voting for the “lesser of two evils” in their minds during elections.

Stress Conflicts (Not in the Book) Approach-Avoidance Conflict: stressful tension state caused being simultaneously attracted and repulsed by the same goal. YOU’RE FIRED! Can I get a Raise Boss? Want a raise at work but don’t want to get fired for asking.

Stress Conflicts (Not in the Book) Double Approach-Avoidance Conflict: stressful tension state that arises when having to choose between 2 or more goals that have both attractive and repulsive qualities. Most common and complex conflict in real life. Girl choosing to Go to prom with Channing Tatum or her long-term boyfriend

Ch 14 Essay Apply the 4 psychological conflicts to Mary’s prom experience. Approach- Approach Approach- Avoidance Avoidance- Avoidance Double Approach- Avoidance

Biology of Stress? What is Activated When You Feel Stress? Stress-Response Cycle Includes: 1. Sympathetic and parasympathetic cycles are activated 2. Withdraw. Pull Back. Conserve Energy. 3. Women- “Tend and Befriend”

Secondary Response Cycle

Animals and Humans Tend to React To Stress In the Same Pattern. Hans Selye discovered the responsive cycle for how we react to stress which he named the: General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) Phase 1: Alarm: activation of sympathetic nervous system. Phase 2: Resistance: arousal remains high as you attempt to cope with the stressor. “Fight or Flight.” Phase 3: Exhaustion: body becomes run down with constant stress which can leave you more vulnerable to illness or even death.

Diagram of GAS Stress resistance Phase 1 Alarm reaction (mobilize resources) Phase 2 Resistance (cope with stressor) Phase 3 Exhaustion (reserves depleted) The body’s resistance to stress can only Last so long before exhaustion sets in Stressor occurs

Stressful Life Events Can Create Serious Health Risks Categories of Stressful Life Events: 1. Catastrophes: unavoidable natural disasters, etc. 2. Significant Life Changes: loss of loved one, leaving home, loss of job, etc. 3. Everyday Hassles: traffic, long lines at Chick-Fil-A, etc.

Perceived Control’s Effect on Health and Stress Stressful events are especially harmful if they are perceived as negative and uncontrollable. Those who feel stressful events are beyond their control are also more susceptible to illness and disease.

The Rat With No Control Over the Shocks Develops Ulcers No connection to shock source To shock control To shock source “Executive” rat “Subordinate” rat Control rat

Other Influences on Health and Stress Poverty: poorer people are more at risk for a premature death. Inequality: areas where there is a large discrepancy/gap between rich and poor have lower life expectancies than areas where differences are less extreme.

Other Influences on Health and Stress Optimism-Pessimism: Those with more positive outlooks tend to cope with stressful events better and have better health than those who dwell on the negative. Outlooks often tied to feelings of control.