43.1 – Identify events that provoke stress responses, and describe how we respond and adapt to stress. Stress The process by which we perceive & respond to certain events (known as stressors) that we appraise as threatening and/or challenging Stress is not… A simple stimulus or response Necessarily a negative thing

43.1 – Identify events that provoke stress responses, and describe how we respond and adapt to stress. Two major classifications of stress… Acute Stressors Relatively short in duration with a clear endpoint An encounter with a belligerent customer A major exam An impending natural disaster Chronic Stressors Relatively long in duration with no apparent endpoint Persistent financial strains A sick family member A hostile boss

43.1 – Identify events that provoke stress responses, and describe how we respond and adapt to stress. Stressors: are circumstances, events, and situations that contribute to stress. There are a variety of stressors, and while some occur on a daily basis, other occur only infrequently (catastrophes, daily hassles and life changes). Causes of Stress  -Castastrophies -Daily Hassles -Life Changes – Holmes and Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale Death of a spouse (100) Divorce (73) Marital Separation (65) Jail Term (63) Death of a close family member (63) Personal injury or illness (53) Marriage (50)

43.1 – Identify events that provoke stress responses, and describe how we respond and adapt to stress. Conflict Situations 1) Approach-approach conflict: occurs when a person has to make a decision between two appealing choices. 2) Avoidance-avoidance conflict: occurs when a person has to make a decision between two unappealing choices. 3) Approach-avoidance conflict: a choice had both appealing and unappealing features. 4) Multiple approach-avoidance conflict: two choices have both positive and negative points. Frustration: when pursuit of a goal is blocked (failures and losses). Pressure: is made up of the extra demands places on a person to perform a certain way.

43.1 – Identify events that provoke stress responses, and describe how we respond and adapt to stress. General Adaptation Syndrome: the body responds to stress in three phases (Hans Seyle) 1) Alarm – intense body arousal occurs at the threat of a stressor is interpreted. This intense arousal, as Walter Cannon stated, causes the release of catecholamines, which alarm the body (“Fight or Flight” Response). 2) Resistance – This stage is characterized by the body’s trying to adjust to the intense arousal triggered in the alarm stage. 3) Exhaustion – If the stressor continues to arouse the body, the body becomes exhausted, which can lead to illness, mental exhaustion, and, in extreme cases death.

43.1 – Identify events that provoke stress responses, and describe how we respond and adapt to stress. General Adaptation Syndrome