Theories of Stress
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Transcript Theories of Stress
Stress Cycle
Life
101
Effects of
Coping
Attitude
Coping
Skill
Definitions
Stressor- a stimulus with the potential for triggering Fight or Flight
4 categories (Social, Environmental, Psychological, Philosophical)
Stress reactivity- Body changes to meet demands (F or F response)
Strains-Outcomes of stress reactivity and may be physical,
psychological, or behavioral. (tension headache, phobias, addictions)
Stress- The wear and tear on the body when there is reactivity.
Combination of a stressor, stress reactivity, and strain.
Homeostasis- The body’s balanced state
Eustress- Good stress
Distress- Bad Stress
Duration/Degree Duration= the amount of time our body’s physiology varies
Degree=Condition or the amount of physiological variance
Walter Cannon- Harvard Medical School
First to describe the effects of acute stress
Termed this stress reaction as the fight-or-flight
response
A primitive response that quickly increases heart rate,
respiration, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol
Acute Alarm Reaction
Body prepares for fight or flight
Time of emergency
Heart pumps blood faster and with greater force
Blood pressure elevates abruptly
Lungs send more oxygen to muscles
Faster blood clotting
Acute Alarm Reaction
Widening of the pupils to admit more light in order to
heighten visual acuity and awareness
Increase in breathing rate
Endorphins released – decrease in body’s sensitivity to
pain
Elevated blood sugar levels
Hans Selye
Studied the effects of long-term (chronic) stress
Stress is- “The nonspecific response of the body to any
demand made upon it”
Summarized his findings by proposing a three-phase
process called the general adaptation syndrome
alarm reaction
stage of resistance
stage of exhaustion
Other Influential Researchers
Simeons
Psychosomatic disease
Benson
Relaxation response
Vogt
Autogenic training
Jacobson
Progressive relaxation
Stress Theory
Several theories explain the causes of stress:
Holmes and Rahe- Life events theory: stress occurs when
the situation requires more resources than are available
Kobasa and colleagues- Hardiness theory: one’s attitude
toward the events determines stress, not the event.
Social support theory: insufficient social support for
responding to event
Fight or flight response
Is the glass half full or half empty?
A situation can be stressful or not -- it all depends on
your perception of the event
A response to stress can be effective or not -- it
depends on your resources and coping strategies
Refer to table 1.2 (p.13)
Relationship between stress and
illness….
Goals for Stress Management
Do not eliminate all stress
Use as a motivator for peak performance
Stress can be useful, stimulating, and welcome
Limit harmful effects
Limit the harmful effects of stress while maintaining
life’s quality and vitality.