Stress Basics
The physical and psychological response to a threatening or challenging situation.
What is stress?
The division of the nervous system activated during acute stress.
What is the sympathetic nervous system?
Coping style aimed at managing emotional distress rather than fixing the problem.
What is emotion-focused coping?
A field studying the link between psychological factors and physical health.
What is health psychology (or behavioural medicine)?
This is the first step in evaluating whether an event is threatening or irrelevant.
What is primary appraisal?
These three types of conflict involve choices between goals with both positive and/or negative outcomes.
What are approach-approach, avoidance-avoidance, and approach-avoidance conflicts?
The two body systems involved in the stress response.
What are the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system?
Coping style aimed at tackling the issue causing the stress.
What is problem-focused coping?
Persistent stress can suppress this bodily system.
What is the Immune System?
The second step in cognitive appraisal, where we evaluate our resources and options for coping.
What is secondary appraisal?
A stressor that is short-term and has a clear endpoint.
What is acute stress?
This brain structure helps process fear and activates the stress response.
What is the amygdala?
This type of support involves providing love, empathy, and connection.
What is emotional support?
People high in this trait tend to handle stress well and are more resilient.
What is hardiness?
Term for negative stress (too much stress), which can cause health problems.
What is distress?
The model describing three stages of the body’s response to stress.
What is the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?
What does “fight or flight” refer to?
What is the body's emergency response to perceived threat?
Adjusting how we think about a stressor to reduce its impact is called what?
What is cognitive reappraisal (or reframing)?
These lifestyle factors can buffer against the negative effects of stress.
What are exercise, sleep, social support, and healthy eating?
Term for positive stress (motivating and enhancing performance).
What is eustress?
This hormone, released during stress, increases energy and suppresses immune functioning.
What is cortisol?
Chronic stress is associated with this type of health issue involving high blood pressure and arteries.
What is cardiovascular disease (e.g., hypertension or atherosclerosis)?
The personality trait involving hostility, time urgency, and competitiveness.
What is Type A personality?
Stress has been shown to play a role in the development of this heart-related disease.
What is coronary heart disease?
Two major emotional responses to stress that can negatively impact both mental and physical health.
What are anxiety and anger?