Chapter 3 Study Guide

Why has science shifted from treatment of infections such as typhus, typhoid, and cholera to the psychological factors of health?

What are the major causes of death in the US?Cancer

What is Hans Selye's definition of stress?The nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it.

Define the terms stressor, eustress, and distress.Stressor: Trigger or stimulus that prompts a stressful reaction

Eustress: Pleasant, desirable stress

Distress: Unpleasant, threatening stress

What does the author report as the major sources of stress today?The seven major sources of stress are life changes, chronic stressors, job stressors, hassles, frustration, conflict, and cataclysmic events

What are some examples of chronic stressor?war, a bad marriage, poverty, ill health, or an intolerable political climate, Job stressors, role conflict, burnout, hassles.

Define burnout.State of psychological and physical exhaustion resulting from chronic exposure to high levels of stress and little personal control

What are the characteristics of individuals who are at rick for burnouts?An individual with High levels of hob stress and little personal control.

How is the tress of Cataclysmic events sometimes mediated?there is a great deal of mutual social support from those with firsthand experience with the same disaster, which may help people cope

What does the Social Readjustment Rating Scale measure?An easy and popular way to measure stress

How is it connected to illnesses?The SRRS only shows correlation, it does not prove that stress causes illnesses.

Define frustration.Unpleasant tension, anxiety, and heightened sympathetic activity resulting from a blocked goal

What factor determines our level of frustration?The more motivated we are, the more frustration we experience when our goals are blocked

If there is absolutely no stress in a person, how would their body be positioned?

What are the 3 models of conflict?Approach-Approach: Forced choice between two options both of which have equally desirable characteristics

Avoidance-Avoidance: Forced choice between two options both of which have equally undesirable characteristics

Approach-Avoidance: Forced choice within one option, which has equally desirable and undesirable characteristics

Give an example of each.Yeah, not doing that.

What is the most stressful of the three conflict models?Avoid-avoid

What triggers a flight or fight response?A threat ativates our sympathetic system

What are the stages and characteristics of the General Adaption Syndrome?The GAS occurs in three phasesalarm, resistance, and exhaustionactivated by efforts to adapt to any stressor, whether physical or psychological

Who came up with it?Hans Selye

Why is stage of Exhaustion so dangerous?The Exhaustion stage can cripple the immune system.

Why do most people not die of cancer?Because they find treatment, and get a good nights rest.

What is the general term for all heart related illnesses?Cardiovascular disorders

Define the following terms: Psychological Hardiness, Type A person, Type B person.Hardiness: Resilient personality with a strong commitment to personal goals, control over life, and viewing change as a challenge rather than a threat.

Type A: chronically on edge, feel intense time urgency, and are preoccupied with responsibilities.

Type B: having a laid-back, calm, relaxed attitude toward life.

What are the personality characteristics of Type A and Type B personalities?

Type A: Behavior characteristics including intense ambition, competition, exaggerated time urgency, and a cynical, hostile outlook

Type B: Behavior characteristics consistent with a calm, patient, relaxed attitude

What is the difference between problem focused and emotion focused coping strategies?Emotion-Focused Coping: Managing ones emotional reactions to a stressful situation

Problem-Solving Coping: Dealing directly with a stressor to decrease or eliminate it