Introductory Concepts
What are the 3 stress hormones?
Cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine
What happened when the rats were given a bar or wood after experiencing a stressful state?
Their cortisol blood concentration decreased
What is the general finding of social support studies on stress?
The more social support an individual has, the lower their cortisol levels.
The more predictable daily life is, the lower the cortisol levels.
What is the general finding about a sense of control and stress?
When an individual thinks they have more control in a situation, it decreases cortisol levels.
What were the main contributions of bioengineers to stress research in the 1800s?
Bioengineers solely focused on finding the biological mechanisms that were related to stress. They were focused on systems that take an "output" and an "input," not on psychological factors.
Describe the aggression study and all pertinent details. (Procedure and findings).
A stressful state was established with the rats. Then, once their blood cortisol concentration increased, they were introduced to a stranger rat and were allowed to fight. After fighting, their cortisol blood concentration decreased.
What is the main difference between baboons and humans in regards to having friends and how it affects stress levels?
For baboons, the number of friends in general decreases stress levels. In humans, the number of supportive friends decreases stress levels. Basically, for humans, the qualities of friends are more important in decreasing stress than for baboons.
What were the 3 studies regarding predictability? (Both human and rodent studies)
1.) Warning bell (rodent)
2.) Food schedule (rodent)
3.) Dental Patients (human)
What was the only difference between the human study on a sense of control versus the rodent study?
Human participants were exposed to white noise to establish a stressful state while the rodents were exposed to mild, periodic shocks.
Describe the paradigm shift of stress research that occurred in the 1950s.
After 1950, psychologists became involved and added psychological aspects to the biological findings of stress.
Describe Study A (bar or wood) with all pertinent details.
First, a stressful state was established with the rats (mild, periodic shocks). After their cortisol rose from the shocks, they were given either a bar or wood to chew on. After being able to chew on the wood, their cortisol blood concentration decreased.
What is the difference between experiencing a stressful event in front of friends versus strangers?
When a stressful event is experienced in front of friends, cortisol doesn't increase as much as normal. In front of strangers, cortisol levels rise even higher than normal (true for both baboons and humans).
Describe the food schedule study and all pertinent details discussed in class.
First, the rats were exposed to a stressful state (random, periodic mild shocks). Group 1 received a fixed amount of food on a fixed schedule (high predictability) and Group 2 received a fixed amount of food at random times (low predictability). Group 1 experienced lower cortisol levels compared to Group 2.
With these studies, how did researchers conclude that a false sense of control can decrease stress levels? In other words, what part of the experiment showed it?
What were the 2 findings by psychologists surrounding stress in the 1950s?
1.) All psychological factors played into the stress response.
2.) All stress research had to take psychology into the picture from there on.
Why is physical action the most important trait for an outlet of frustration?
The sympathetic stress responses' primary purpose is to prepare the body for physical action. When an outlet is physically exerting, it acts on the fight or flight system and acts as a release for the sympathetic stress response.
List the 4 factors for baboons that decreases cortisol levels.
1.) Higher number of friends
2.) More social grooming
3.) Higher social ranking
4.) Stability of hierarchy
Describe the dental patients study and all pertinent details discussed in class.
Researchers found volunteers who needed a dental procedure and split them into 2 groups. During the procedure, Group 1 was given no indicators throughout the procedure (pain levels, next step, etc.) while Group 2 was walked through the procedure. Group 2 experienced lower cortisol levels compared to Group 1.
Describe the rodent study on a sense of control using all pertinent details provided in class.
First, the rodents were exposed to a stressful state (random, mild periodic shocks).
1st condition: A lever that stopped the shocks was introduced. Stress levels decreased
2nd condition: The lever was removed and cortisol levels increased
3rd condition: The lever was re-introduced but was unplugged. Cortisol levels decreased
Describe the general approach to all of the rodent studies surrounding stress. (The beginning steps to all studies).
1.) Measure a baseline cortisol blood concentration
2.) Introduce mild, periodic shocks (not enough to hurt but enough to induce a stressful state)
3.) Elevated cortisol blood concentration and/or ulcer rate
4.) Introduce intervention (cognitive/behavioral/social/environment)
5.) Observe possible change in stress level (change in cortisol blood concentration)
What are the 3 traits of an effective outlet?
1.) Outlet must be physically exerting
2.) Outlet must be appealing to the specific individual/species
3.) The outlet has to be something that can distract the individual from the stress (must be mentally occupying)
List the 4 factors for humans that decreases cortisol levels during a stressful situation.
1.) Higher number of supportive friends
2.) More community involvement
3.) Increased level of ethnic commonality
4.) Lower social isolation
Describe the warning bell study on predictability and all pertinent details discussed in class.
First, the rats were exposed to a stressful state (random, mild periodic shocks). After their cortisol increased, a warning bell would ring before the shock. With the bell, cortisol levels decreased, even though the amount and severity of shocks didn't change.
Describe the human study on a sense of control with all pertinent details provided in class.
First, the participants were exposed to a stressful state by being exposed to a loud, white noise.
1st condition: A lever that stopped the noise was introduced. Cortisol levels decreased
2nd condition: The lever was taken away. Cortisol levels increased
3rd condition: The lever was re-introduced but was disconnected. Cortisol levels decreased.