Lesson  8  Applica.on  of  Strategies  for  Coping  With  Stress  

VCE Psychology Units 3 & 4

Lesson  7  Alterna-ve  Factors  and  Approaches  of  the  Stress  Response  

EXAM  QUESTION  

ANSWER:

A: Britt’s allostatic load would increase

What is stress?

Stress  is  a  state  of  physiological  and  psychological  arousal  produced  by  internal  or  external  stressors  that  are  perceived  by  the  individual  as  challenging  or  exceeding  their  ability  or  resources  to  cope.  

Source: Photo alto

What  causes  you  stress?  

Rank  the  following  stressors  in  order  of  how  stressed    they  make  you  feel  (1=lowest  to  7=highest):  

   conflicts  with  a  boyfriend  or  girlfriend      dissa>sfac>on  with  your  athle>c  skills      having  your  trust  betrayed  by  a  friend      struggling  to  meet  your  own  academic    standards      not  having  enough  money      conflicts  with  family  members      dissa>sfac>on  with  your  physical  appearance.  

Compare  your  responses  with  the  person  next  to  you.    

When  you  are  stressed:  

 a)  what  physiological  responses  do  you  experience?    

 b)  what  psychological  responses  do  you  experience?  

Your stress response

Source: Image Source

Coping  with  stress  •  How  do  you  cope  with  stress?  •  There  are  many  different  ways  of  coping  with  stress.    

Coping with stress

Biofeedback Meditation or relaxation

Physical exercise

Using thought processes to control a physiological response

A deeply relaxed state; reduced psychological and physiological tension

Engaging in physical activity

Social support

Help or assistance from other

people

•  During biofeedback training, electrical or mechanical sensors (e.g. electrodes on an EEG, EMG or a blood pressure cuff) are attached to the person.

•  These sensors respond to and provide feedback on a particular physiological response, e.g. tension in a particular muscle, blood pressure or skin temperature.

Biofeedback

Source: Getty

•  A person is taught a series of exercises designed to help them learn how to gain control over the physiological response that is being monitored.

•  Biofeedback can be beneficial in helping people manage stress- related problems such as high blood pressure, chronic pain and migraines.

Biofeedback

Source: Bananastock

Medita-on  and  relaxa-on  

•  The term meditation is used interchangeably with relaxation because meditation involves relaxation and relaxation can be achieved by using a meditative technique.

•  When in a relaxed or meditative state, people typically report:

•  feeling calm •  a low level or absence of anxiety •  responses associated with a low level of overall

physiological arousal such as lower heart rate, slower breathing rate and loss of muscle tension.

List three things you do to relax.

Physical  exercise  is  physical    ac-vity  that  is  usually  planned    and  performed  to  improve  or    maintain  one’s  physical    condi-on.    

Aerobic  exercise  is  best  for  physical    and  mental  health,  although    anaerobic  exercise  is  bePer  than  no    exercise  at  all.  

What  is  the  difference  between    aerobic  and  anaerobic  exercise?    Give  2  examples  of  each.  

Physical exercise

Source: Getty

Social  Support  

Social  support  is  help  or  assistance  from  other  people  when    needed.  

Social support

Appraisal support

Tangible support

Information support

Person is helped to realistically appraise the stressor

Person is given tangible support, e.g. food, financial assistance or goods

Person is given information

Emotional support

Person is given warmth,

care and nurturing

What  type(s)  of  social    support  do  other  people    give  to  you?  

What  type(s)  of  social    support  do  you  give  to  other  people?  

Social support

Source: Image Source

Coping  with  stress  

Rank  in  order  from  1  (not  at  all)  to  4  (a  lot):  

 biofeedback      medita>on/relaxa>on  

   physical  exercise      social  support  

Which  of  the  four  is  most  commonly  used  in  your    class?  

In order to cope with stress, which one do you use most and which one do you use least?