Nature of Stress

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objectives

• Who is Hans Selye? (1907-1982)• Analyze the 3 phases of general adaptation

syndrome AND cross reference them to your Graphic Organizer!

• Describe the 4 stressors effecting the body• Analyze the sense of control and limits of

control

The Nature of Stress

• No life is entirely free of stress• Stressors-conflicts that annoy us, pressures

that fatigue us, and tragedies and loses that temporarily shatter our lives

• Linked to illness?

Stress and the Body

• Hans Selye (1907-1982) published The Stress of Life

• General adaptation syndrome according to Hans Selye, a series of physiological reactions to stress occurring in three phases: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion

The physiology of stress

General Adaptation SyndromeAlarmResistanceExhaustion

Goal is to minimize wear and tear on system.

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G.A.S.

• The alarm phase- mobilizes sympathetic nervous system to meet threat (test haven’t studied for- rabid dog

• Release adrenal hormones (epinephrine, norepinephrine)

• Boost energy, tense muscle, reduce sensitivity to pain

• Walter Cannon- 1929- fight or flight

G.A.S

• The resistance phase- resist or cope with stressors

• physiological changes continues but this makes you more vulnerable to stressors

• F.E. when body mobilizes to fight flu= more easily frustrated and annoyed

• Then adapts and back to normal

G.A.S

• The exhaustion phase- Persistence stress depletes body of energy SO increase vulnerable to illness, physical problems

• Not a long range response• Tense muscles= headache, neck pain• Blood pressure high= hypertension

Your turn

During which phase of the General Adaptation Syndrome is a person most vulnerable to disease?1. Alarm2. Resistance3. Exhaustion

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Your turn

During which phase of the General Adaptation Syndrome is a person most vulnerable to disease?1. Alarm2. Resistance3. Exhaustion

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Current approaches

• Built on Selye’s observations (bio)• 2nd path Hypothalamus releases chemical messengers

that spur the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol and other hormones that elevate blood sugar and protect the body’s tissues from inflammation in case of injury

• Cortisol- cravings for “comfort food” triggered by Psychological stressors: when people’s self preservation is threatened, when they have no control over the task at hand, or when they feel that they are being judged negatively by others

Current approaches

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Stressors and the body

Work-related problemsNoiseBereavement and lossPoverty, powerlessness, and low status

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Stressors Affecting the Body (4)

• Work related problems- work central to lives; unemployment, high stress + long time= health problem

• Noise- children live by airport= higher levels of stress, distractible, learning and attention difficulties compared to children from quiet environment

Stressors effecting body

• Bereavement and loss- 2 years following bereavement, more susceptible to illness; especially men

• Poverty, powerlessness, and low status- people at lower rungs of socioeconomic ladder worse health and higher mortality rate than those at the top

Stress and the Mind

• Some people manufacture their own misery• When something bad happens to you what is

first reaction?• Optimism- the general expectation that things

will go well in spite of occasional setback better • Think it will work out so you work at it • pessimism- If something can go wrong for me it

will

Explanatory stylesOptimists:Take better care of themselves when sickCope betterDraw on friends in hard times

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Sense of control

• Locus of control is a general expectation about whether the results of your actions are under your own control (internal locus) or beyond control (external locus)

• People who have an internal locus of control tend to believe that they are responsible for what happens to them. Those who have an external locus of control ten to believe their lives are controlled by luck, fate, or other people

The sense of controlLocus of controlA general expectation about whether the results of your actions are under your own control (internal locus) or beyond your control (external locus)

Feelings of control can reduce or even eliminate the relationship between stressors and health.

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Limits of Control

• Primary control is an effort to modify reality by changing other people, the situation, or events; a “fighting back” philosophy

• Secondary control is an effort to accept reality by changing your own attitudes, goals, or emotions; a “learn to live with it” philosophy

Limits of controlPrimary control: an effort to modify reality by changing other people, the situation, or eventsA “fighting back” philosophyWestern cultures

Secondary control: an effort to accept reality by changing your own attitudes, goals, or emotionsA “learn to live with it” philosophyEastern cultures

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Your turn

Suppose you have several difficult exams coming up soon. If your thought is “There’s no way I can study enough to get an A in psychology,” then what is your locus of control?1. Internal2. External

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Summary

• G.A.D.• Se• Locus of control• Optimism/ pessimism