RespondingtoStress,continued-GordonStateCollege.pptVIP

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The topic, Psychosomatic diseases, directly relates to part of APA goal 1.2: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding representing appropriate breadth and depth in selected content areas of psychology. Specifically, the relevant content area here is tied to sub-goal D: Overarching themes, persistent questions, or enduring conflicts in psychology, such as (5) The interaction of mind and body. * * * Chapter 3 Stress and Its Effects The Nature of Stress, continued Stress is “any circumstances perceived to threaten one’s well-being and thereby tax one’s coping abilities”. Stress is a common, everyday event. Both major and minor problems can be stressful. Daily “hassles” can have negative effects on our well-being. Stressful events have a cumulative impact. Stress is subjective. Figure 3.2 Primary and secondary appraisal of stress. Primary appraisal is an initial evaluation of whether an event is (1) irrelevant to you, (2) relevant, but not threatening, or (3) stressful. When you view an event as stressful, you are likely to make a secondary appraisal, which is an evaluation of your coping resources and options for dealing with the stress. (Based on Lazarus Folkman, 1994) The Nature of Stress, continued Ambient stress – refers to chronic negative conditions embedded in the environment. Certain types have been associated with elevated stress hormones (Figure 3.3). Stress is influenced by culture. Culture affects which types of stress we experience. Cultural change is a major source of stress in most cultures. Figure 3.3 Excessive noise and stress hormones. Evans, Hygge, and Bullinger (1995) compared children from noisy areas near Munich International Airport with similar children from quiet neighborhoods in Munich. They found elevated levels of two hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) associated with stress reactions in the children exposed to the high noise of the airport. Adapted from Evans, G.W., Hygge,