Emotions & Stress

What are the three parts of emotion?

Expressive behaviorPhysiological arousalConscious experience

What are the three theories of emotion? (Summary)

What is the Two Factor Theory of emotion?Emotion =

body response + cognitive interpretation

What makes happiness?

Our general happiness level is largely unchanged by both very positive or very negative events.

What is the Adaptation - level phenomenon?Our tendency to judge items (income, grades,

sounds, lights) relative to a “neutral” (or accustomed) level based on our prior experience.IncomeTemperatureGrades

What predicts happiness?

High self-esteemOptimismHaving a satisfying marriage or close friendsBeing happy in work and leisureReligious faithEnough sleep and exercise.

What influence does money and love have on our happiness?

Does money effect happiness?

Wealthy (more control) = longer life

Poor ( less control) = shorter life

Be careful about cause and effect Wealthy can afford more health care and better foods

Will money buy happiness?

Buying power has increased, but happiness remains unchanged

Do college students think money will buy happiness?

College students’ attitude toward money

Do you remember?

What are the three parts of emotion?What does the two factor theory have that

the others do not?What is the adaptation-level

phenomenon?As buying power increases, what happens

to happiness?

What about stress?

What is your stress response system? -fight or flightWith stress, the body prepares for fight or flightSympathetic nervous system reacts

Stress hormones released - AdrenalineHeart rate and respiration increasesBlood diverted from digestion to skeletal musclesDulls painReleases sugar for energy

Parasympathetic nervous systemAllows return to normal

What is your General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?

Applies to all stress situationsPhase #1 = Alarm

Respiration increasesTemperature increasesHeart rate increasesBlood diverted to skeletal muscles

What is your General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?

Phase #2 = ResistanceHormones (e.g. adrenaline) increase

Phase #3 = ExhaustionTiredness, More vulnerable to illnessMental breakdownPossibly death

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Does stress cause disease?

Widowed, divorced, or separated are more vulnerable to diseaseStress weakens body’s defenses

More susceptible to

Bacterial infections

Viral infections - Including AIDS (from HIV virus) spread through bodily fluids

Heart disease

How does your personality effect stress & heart disease?

Type “A” PersonalityHard driving, impatient, time

sensitive, super motivated, verbally aggressive and easily angeredMore prone to heart attacks

Type “B” PersonalityEasy going and relaxed

Less prone to heart attacks

How does hopelessness effect heart attacks?

Do you remember?

What nervous systems get you ready for fight or flight, and calm you down?

What are the phases in the general adaptation syndrome?

What social factors can cause stress and make you more vulnerable to disease?

Stress can increase your succeptability to what diseases?

How can you cope with stress? (Summary)

Control

Optimism

Social support

Does having control help you cope with stress?

Does having control help you cope with stress?

Executive rats that could turn off (control) the stress by turning a wheel did not develop ulcers.

Subordinate rats receiving a shock (stress) with no control developed ulcers

Uncontrolled stress = ulcers

Does optimism help you cope with stress?

YesOptimists perceive more control & cope

better with stress

How does social support help you cope with stress?

Being able to confide fears & frustrations to close friends will reduce stress.

Happily married couples live longer

How can you reduce stress?

Aerobic exercise?Relaxation and meditation?Complimentary and alternative medicine?

How does aerobic exercise help?

Exercise that keeps the heart pumping for an extended period of time

Helps reduce stress, depression and anxiety

How can meditation (Relaxation) help?

Quiet time to relax and enjoy the tranquility

Reduces the bad effects of stress such as headaches, hypertension, anxiety and insomnia

How can biofeedback help you relax?

Can help people relax by providing information about changes in muscle tension & heart rate.

Are alternative medicines effective?

E.g. Acupuncture, massage therapy, spiritual healing, herbal remedies, aromatherapy.

The value of these remedies are often over estimated due to:Placebo effect

(You get what you expect)

Spontaneous remission(The body cures itself)

Do you remember?

What strategies help you cope with stress?

What is an example of social support helping you cope with stress?

What is an example of using biofeedback to reduce stress?

Discuss the placebo effect.