Chapter 17 STRESS AND HEALTH HOLT Psychology 6/23/2018 Chapter 17 STRESS AND HEALTH Section 1: What Is Stress? Section 2: Responses to Stress Section 3: Physical Effects of Stress Section 4: Psychological Factors and Health Section 5: Ways of Coping with Stress Chapter 17

It can be positive or negative, long term or short term. Chapter 17 What is STRESS? STRESS is the arousal of one's mind and body in response to demands made upon them. It can be positive or negative, long term or short term. It is the addition or subtraction of something in your life that changes your routine. Distress is NEGATIVE; eustress is POSITIVE.

Chapter 17

Critical Thinking Questions Chapter 17 Critical Thinking Questions 1. How do you think stressors have changed since the beginning of the 20th century? 2. Recall a recent personal example of the fight-or-flight response. What sensations did you notice? Watch Brain Games “Don’t Be Afraid.”

Frustration – being blocked from obtaining a goal Chapter 17 Section 1: What Is Stress? MAIN CAUSES OF STRESS Frustration – being blocked from obtaining a goal Daily Hassles – everyday frustrations everyone experiences Life Changes – moving, serious illness, or death in the family Conflict – being pulled in two or more directions by opposing forces or motives Personality Types – Type A or Type B

Personality Types Chapter 17 Type A Type B Always on the go Pressure themselves “to do” Constantly under stress Highly driven, competitive Impatient Easily angered, hostile Never have enough time Often multi-task More stress = more health problems More relaxed Able to say no easier May be stressed but handles it differently More patient Not as easily angered, calm Allows free time Usually do one thing @ a time Less stress = fewer health issues

Personality Types Chapter 17 Type C Type D Outwardly appearance is calm Inwardly in turmoil More susceptible to illness Suppresses feelings rather than sharing them Conforms to the wishes of others Feels helpless or hopeless turn emotion inward instead of taking action More negative thought patterns Socially inhibited Easily irritated Fuss about unimportant details Feel unhappy, gloomy Worry often Don’t know how to talk or react in social situations

The Four Types of Conflict Chapter 17 The Four Types of Conflict Type of Conflict Definition Example Approach-approach A choice between two equally attractive alternatives Choosing between cake and ice cream for dessert Avoidance-avoidance A choice between two equally unattractive alternatives Going to the dentist or letting a toothache get worse Approach-avoidance A choice of whether or not to do something when part of the situation is attractive but the other is not Deciding whether or not to purchase a new car because it will cost a lot of money Multiple approach-avoidance A choice between alternatives that have both good and bad aspects Deciding to stay at home to study for a test or to go out to the movies with friends

What are the factors that determine one’s response to stress? Chapter 17 Section 2: Responses to Stress What are the factors that determine one’s response to stress? Self-efficacy Expectations – beliefs people have that they can accomplish goals that they set for themselves Psychological Hardiness – a personality characteristic that helps people withstand stress (commitment, challenge, and control) Sense of Humor – humor lightens the burdens of life Predictability – ability to predict a stressor that seems to reduce the amount of stress that it causes Social Support – presence and interest of other people

RESPONSE TO STRESS (continued) Chapter 17 Section 2: Responses to Stress RESPONSE TO STRESS (continued) Physical effects include general adaptation syndrome: alarm reaction, resistance stage, and exhaustion stage. Alarm reaction – fight or flight reaction that happens when the body perceives a threat. The body produces hormones to help it cope with stress, to prevent allergic reactions, to increase circulation to injuries, etc. Resistance stage – coping strategies that help the body regain its energy, repair damage and store balance Exhaustion stage – When stressor is not removed, people reach a breaking point, causing health problems.

Question: How does stress affect the immune system? Chapter 17 Section 3: Physical Effects of Stress Question: How does stress affect the immune system? EFFECTS OF STRESS ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM Prevents disease by producing white blood cells that destroy disease-causing microorganisms, worn-out body cells, and cells that have become malignant Stimulates body to produce steroids, which suppresses the immune system by preventing the formation of antibodies that fight germs and prevent diseases

PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS AND HEALTH Chapter 17 Section 4: Psychological Factors and Health Question: How can psychological factors contribute to headaches, heart disease, and cancer? PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS AND HEALTH Muscle-tension and migraines may be stress-related. Type A behavior increases likelihood of developing heart disease. Anger and hostility do also. Stress is also considered a risk factor in the development of some forms of cancer.

Question: In what ways can people cope with stress? Chapter 17 Section 5: Ways of Coping with Stress Question: In what ways can people cope with stress? COPING W/ STRESS – DEFENSIVE COPING Defensive coping – one way to reduce the immediate effects of a stressor Substance Abuse – use of alcohol, tranquilizers, and other drugs to reduce the feeling of stress Aggression – use of aggression and violence to cope with stress Withdrawal – turning away from a stressful situation Suicide – ultimate form of withdrawal Defense Mechanisms – protect the ego from anxiety

Question: In what ways can people cope with stress? Chapter 17 Section 5: Ways of Coping with Stress Question: In what ways can people cope with stress? COPING WITH STRESS Active Coping – involves changing the environment or situation to remove stressors or changing one’s response to stress so that it is no longer harmful Changing stressful thoughts Relaxation Exercise What are the results of choosing defensive coping vs. active coping?

Success at work and in school Involves using active coping skills. Three C’s of success: COMMITMENT, CHALLENGE, and CONTROL. A person who has the C’s is shows commitment to doing well, enjoys the challenge, and feels like they have control over their own lives. They do not control everything, but they do control how they react toward everything.