Psychology U2 - stress - Flashcards in A Level and IB Psychology

Created by: laurencaitlyn
Created on: 12-01-15 18:46

Stress

A mismatch between the perceived demands placed on an individual & their perception of their ability to cope w/ the demands of this

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Stressor

Any stimuli that causes a stress response - different stressors trigger different responses in different people - if potentially stressful this causes a physiological response

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Acute Stressor

Immediate stress response e.g. danger; like crossing the road

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Chronic Stressor

Long term damaging type of stressor e.g. college/work

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Stress may be evolved because...

It is adaptive and stress responses increase energy in times of threat/danger, this prepares us for fight or flight, in modern times stress = maladaptive & dangerous

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Body's reaction to stress...

Situation = appraised and hypothalamus is alerted and recognises if the stress is either acute or chronic - if acute it activates the sympathomedullary pathway & if chronic activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-system

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The Sympathomedullary pathway (SAM)

Adrenal nervous system stimulates the adrenal medulla (part of adrenal glands above kidney), then secretes adrenaline & noradrenaline into bloodstream ~ prepares for fight or flight

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Physical changes caused by the SAM pathway

Pupils dilate, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, increased blood flow to muscles, increased alertness, increased respiration & breathing rate ~ after few mins or when stressor is dealt with causes countershock response

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The Hypothalamic-Adrenal-System (HPA AXIS)

Stimulates the pituitary glad - releasing adrenocorticotrophic hormones - stimulating the adrenal cortex which releases cortisol

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Physiological effects caused by the HPA AXIS

Positive = constant energy supply to muscles, high pain threshold, thick blood ; negative = suppression of immune system as way of conserving energy & thick blood can cause clots etc.

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Any stimuli that causes a stress response - different stressors trigger different responses in different people - if potentially stressful this causes a physiological response

Back

Stressor

Card 3

Front

Immediate stress response e.g. danger; like crossing the road

Back

Card 4

Front

Long term damaging type of stressor e.g. college/work

Back

Card 5

Front

It is adaptive and stress responses increase energy in times of threat/danger, this prepares us for fight or flight, in modern times stress = maladaptive & dangerous

Back

View more cards

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Psychology U2 - stress