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Flashcards

Stress

xchloesmith English 28 cards

Cards in this deck (28)

  1. 1The Sympatho Medullary pathway (HANSAM)-Response to and acute stressor.
    -Stressor in the environment stimulates the hypothalamus.
    -A signal is sent down the SNS (sympathetic branch) which stimulates our Adrenal Medulla.
    -The Adrenal Medulla releases adrenaline and noradrenailine into the bloodstream causing the heart to beat faster so that more oxygen and glucose is pumped to the muscles.
  2. 2The Pituitary Adrenal system (HPAC)-This is the 2nd part of the stress response-responds to chronic stressors.
    -A stressor in the environment stimulates the hypothalamus.
    -A signal is sent to the pituitary gland that releases the hormone ACTH.
    -ACTH travels through the bloodstream down to the adrenal cortex that releases cortico steroids.
    -Corticosteroids release glucose from the liver to be used by the muscles as energy and suppress the immune system to redirect energies to other areas of the body.
  3. 3Stress and the immune system- Cohen et al-124 men and 266 women's stress levels were measured using 3 scales. One was a life event scale, another assessed the individuals perceived level of stress and the other measured levels of anxiety, fear and depression and the scores were combined.
    -They were given nose drops with the common cold in it and observed for 6 days and blood samples were taken.
    -The RP's with higher stress scores were more like to get a cold so it shows that stress increases vulnerability to infections.
  4. 4Evaluation of Cohen et al-Protection of participants- virus- if they were very stressed then they could become very ill.
    -May lack validity- questionnaires used- untruthful or socially desirable answers.
  5. 5Stress in everyday life- Life changes and daily hassels-Major life events may happen causing an individual to experience stress.
    -Daily hassles are the minor frustrations and annoyances of everyday life. The effects are short lived but can accumulate over time and affect our well being and could result in more serious stress reactions such as anxiety and depression.
  6. 6The social readjustment rating scale (SRRS)-Measures major life events which can be a major source of stress.
    -Holmes and Rahe created the SRRS to see if life changes were related to illness.
    -Events are ranked in terms of the amount of readjustment a person would need to cope with the event.
    -RP's filled out the SRRS about the last 2 years and noted any illness they had.
    -They found that the higher the score the more illnesses they had.
    -A score of 200-300 meant 50% higher illness and 300+ led to an 80% chance.
  7. 7Evaluation of SRRSSocially desirable answers- data maybe untrue.
    Culturally biased- imposed etic- 1960's America.
  8. 8Delongis et al- The hassles and uplifts scale-Uplifts are positive events that can help counteract the negative effects of hassles.
    -The HSUP measures respondents attitudes about daily situations defined ad hassles and uplifts.
  9. 9Evaluation of the hassles and uplifts scaleTakes individual differences into account- choose your own score- more accurate representation.
    Mundane realism- everyday stress.
  10. 10Bouteyre- research evidence using the HSUP-Studied the relationship between daily hassles and mental health of French Psychology students on their transition to university.
    -They completed the HSUP and Beck depression inventory.
    -Found that the students were more depressed during there first term and this was positively correlated with the score on the hassles scale.
    -This shows that daily hassles are an important factor when understanding why people experience stress.
  11. 11Evaluation of BouteyreLacks population validity- narrow sample- difficult to generalise.
    Shows that the HSUP is reliable as it has a lot of supporting research.
  12. 12Causes of workplace stress1-Lack of control- not managing your own work load and patterns of work are decided by others.
    2-Workload(overload)- The issue of workload can include the number of hours spent working.
  13. 13Workplace stress research- Marmot-Studied the relationship between stress in the workplace an illness. He collected data from a sample of civil servants working at Whitehall in London.
    -Whitehall 1- civil servants filled out a questionnaire giving information about their job role, lifestyle choices, socioeconomic status and physical health. Clear differences were found between the workers pay grade type and mortality rates. The workers with a lower pay grade had twice the illness rate of workers in a higher pay grade.
    Whitehall 2- follow study with over 7000 people over a 5 year period. Showed that those in a lower pay grade were 1.5 times more likely to show signs of heart problems.
  14. 14Evalutation of MarmotExtraneous variables- lifestyles choices- lower paid workers more likely to smoke/drink.
    Sample bias- civil servants- not generaliseable.
  15. 15Type A and B behaviourType A behaviour- characterised by time pressure, competitiveness and hostility. Friedman and Rosenman noticed that heart patients > to be type A.
    Type B behaviour-less competitive and hostile. Also more patient with others, easygoing and move and speak more slowly.
  16. 16Research into type A and stress releated illness- Rosenman-Studied 3,454 middle aged men.
    -They were categorised as type A or B behaviour through structured interviews.
    -They were followed for 8.5 years and over that time 257 had a heart attack. 69% of which were type A.
    -This shows that TAB increases the risk of CHD.
  17. 17Evaluation of RosenmanBeta biased- only uses middle ages men- ignore gender differences in responses to stress.
    Natural experiment- lack of control- confounding variables.
  18. 18Shelkelle- contradictory research-12,000 males using self report questionnaires and structured interviews. Over 7 years, found no difference in incidents of heart disease between type A and B groups.
  19. 19Hardiness- Kobasa and MaddiHardiness is a range of personality characteristics which help prevent us feeling stressed.
    -Control(internal locus of control)- the belief that you have control over what happen in your life.
    -Commitment- your sense of involvement in the world.
    -Challenge- Whether you see problems as a challenge to be overcome or as a threat or stressor.
  20. 20Hardiness research evidence- Kobasa-Studied 800 business executives using the SSRS. Approximately 150 were classified as high stress but some had low illness records and other high.
    -The RP's in the high-stress/low illness scored high on the hardy personality where as the high-stress/high illness group scored lower.
    -This shows that a hardy personality encourages resilience and helps you cope with stress.
  21. 21Evaluation of KobasaReliable explanation- well supported theory
    Sample bias- 800 Americans- culture differences in coping with stress.
  22. 22Biological methods of stress management- drugs- Benzodiazepines-Bz's work by increasing a natural brain chemical called GABA that slows down the activity of neurons in the brain and therefore the overall brain activity.
    -They prevent adrenaline from making contact with the hearts receptors which stop it speeding up.
    -Heart rate and blood pressure stays normal and fight or flight reactions don't occur.
  23. 23Beta-Blockers-They work by reducing the activity of adrenaline in the body which reduces heart rate and blood pressure.
    -They block the hormone so the receptor is not stimulated and the adrenaline is not released.
  24. 24Evaluation of drug therapy-Kahn- followed 250 patients 8 weeks and found BZ's to be superior to a placebo at reducing stress- drug therapy is effective.
    -Only treat the symptom not the cause.
    -Side effects
  25. 25Biofeedback-Involves recording the physical symptoms of stress.
    -The individual has electrodes placed on their body to record the physical signs of stress and are given a hand held monitor to record the reading. They are encouraged to use strategies to reduce eg meditation. The aim is to get feedback on what works for them so they can apply the techniques when stress occurs.
    -Biofeedback works on the principle of operant conditioning. Behaviour that is relaxing is rewarded.
  26. 26Evaluation of biofeedback-No side effects- safer- reversible
    -Requires technical equipment and training
  27. 27Psychological methods of stress management- Meickenbaum's stress inoculation training (SIT)-A form of CBT that trains you to think in a less stressful way. Its a 3 phase process:
    -Conceptualisation- the therapist helps the client identify their stressors, usual response and success of the response.
    -Skill acquisition and rehearsal- They develop and practice coping skills that can be used in stressful situations.
    -Application and follow through- The skills are applied to stressful situations in the real world.
  28. 28Evaluation of SIT-Research shows that it is effective
    -Client centered therapy
    -Can be expensive and take a lot of time and effort.

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Flashcards on Stress, created by xchloesmith on 17/04/2015.
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xchloesmith
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