1. Biological psychology unit 2

2. Body’s reaction to stress SAM- sympathetic adrenal medullary system- immediate response PAS- pituitary adrenal system- delayed response Brain perceives stressor in hypothalamus Activates the sympathetic nervous system Adrenal medulla releases adrenaline and nor adrenaline which initiates FOFR FOFR includes increased heart rate, breathing rate, blood rate and supressed saliva Ensuring body is ready to use energy Brain perceives stressor in hypothalamus CRF Pituitary gland releases ACTH which stimulates adrenal cortex to produce cortisol Stimulates liver to release glucose into blood for energy Takes 20 minutes to activate Cortisol gives a quick burst of energy giving us low sensitivity to pain, however it reduces the production of growth hormones, lowers immune response.

3. Evaluation of stress response Individual differences- Taylor et al- found oxytocin reduces cortisol and leads to faster recovery, male hormones reduce the effect of oxytocin whereas female hormones amplify the effect, so women recover faster. Survival value- originally humans responded to stress using FOFR when predators put us in physical danger, now stressors are more psychological, eustress= positive stress, distress= harmful stress. Problems arise when stress responses are repeatedly activated- chronic stress leads to high blood pressure forming plaque in cardiovascular system, adrenaline increases cholesterol leading to blood clots and thickened artery walls. Key terms Hypothalamus- controls secretion of hormones FOFR- response allowing humans to either fight or run away Stress- subjective experience and lack of fit between a person and their environment

4. Keicolt Glaser key study

5. Further research- immune system functioning Supportive study's for stress reducing immune function Unsupportive study for stress reducing immune function Marucha et al- inflicted punch biopsy in mouth of students either during their holidays or 3 days before their final exams. Found wounds in exam group took 40% longer to heal than holiday group. Segestorm and miller- meta analysis and concluded that short term stressors can boost immune system. Long term stressors led to suppression of immune system. Keicolt Glaser- used independent groups on 13 Alzheimer carers and 13 control group. Used a punch biopsy on arm, wound healing took an average of 9 days longer to heal in carer group, suggesting chronic stress impairs immune function.

6. Cohen key study

7. Evaluation- bodily stress research Difficult to infer cause and effect Ethical issuesIndividual differences Health is affected by many factors e.g. genetics Health is often slow to change Expensive and impractical to test over long periods of time Participants need to be in good health prior to study Participant should be able to give fully informed consent and debriefing after During study need to be constantly monitored The scientific value should be balanced against stress caused Gender- women show more adverse hormonal changes Age- stress has greater effect on immune system the greater the age because it takes longer to naturally heal

8. Rahe et al key study

9. De Longis study

10. Further research- daily hassles Bouteyre et alGervaisRuffinFlett et al Investigated relationship between daily hassles and mental health in students during transition to university. 41% suffered from depressive symptoms. Nurses kept diaries for a month recording hassles and uplifts to rate performance. Daily hassles caused strain. Daily hassles were linked more to psychological and physical dysfunction than negative life events. Accumulation effect- an accumulation of minor daily hassles creates persistent irritations which results in more serious stress Found people would seek social support after major life events but not daily hassles. Amplification effect- as the person is already in a state of distress due to a major life event, the minor stressors could amplify the experience.

11. WORKPLACE STRESS SOURCES Pomaki et alKivimaki et alRussek et alWarr Found role conflict is directly associated with emotional exhaustion, sleep problems and depression. Meta analysis of 14 studies found high levels of job strain were 50% more likely to get CHD. CHD greatest amongst GP’s and lowest in dermatologists. Elements that can help reduce workplace stress: opportunity for control, skill use and interpersonal contact. Relationships at work: feeling undervalued Work pressures: overload and meeting deadlines Physical environment: noise, hot or cold and overcrowding Job role: security, responsibilities and conflict Role conflict: work may interfere with family life.

12. Work place stress- marmot et all- lack of control at work study

13. Workplace stress- Johansson et al

14. Type A study Friedman & Rosenman

15. The hardy personality- kobasa Maddi et alLifton et alGulf war Studied employees over a year. 2/3 of the participants suffered stress related health problems in this time. Remaining 1/3 thrived showing hardy attributes. Measured hardiness in students at 5 universities to see if it was linked to completion of degree. Students with high score were most likely to succeed. Applicants for elite military units, such as the US navy seals, are now screened for hardiness and given hardiness training.

16. Hardiness training (problem focused)- kobasa and Maddi Focusing: client is taught how to recognise the physiological signs of stress Reliving: client relives stressful encounters and is helped to analyse their responses Self improvement: using the insights gained they learn new techniques to improve their response. StrengthsWeaknesses Evidence- Williams et al found hardy people use more problem focused measures to deal with stress. Fletcher found Olympic swimmers use HT to ensure they are committed and are able to control stressors of daily life to not interfere with training.  Generalizability- Kobasa’s study was only with white, middle class, business men so the results cannot be generalised to women or other cultures. Hardiness training focuses on the causes of stress giving it long term appeal. Effectiveness and practicality- HT requires commitment, funding and motivation. It also may be more difficult to modify personality.

17. Stress inoculation training (problem focused)- Meichenbaum & Cameron Conceptualisation- client is taught to perceive stressors as problems to be solved. Skills acquisition- coping skills are taught and practiced, encouraging client to think differently and learn new behaviours. Real-life application- clients are given opportunities to apple their new learned skills. EVALUATION OF SIT  effectiveness- long therapy so would only suit some individuals  Time consuming and motivation needed.  Complex- could be equally effective to just learn to talk positively Preparation for future stressors- gives skills to cope Type C (cancer related) individuals Suppress negative emotions Unassertive, rarely get into arguments Tend to help others Temoshok study Type c individuals cope with stress in a way that ignores their own needs. Chronic suppressed stress affects the immune system and increase risk of cancer.

18. Beta blockers (BB’s)Benzodiazepines (BZ’s) How they work BB’s reduce activity of adrenaline and nor- adrenaline which are responsible for preparing the body for FOFR. They bind to receptors of the heart making it harder to stimulate the cells so the heart beats slower and less force on blood vessels leading to fall in blood pressure and person feels calmer. BZ’s slow down CNS and enhance the action of GABA. When neurons in the brain respond to GABA it has a quietening effect on them. GABA locks onto receptors on the neurons and opens channels which increases amount of chloride ions into the neuron. The chloride ions make it harder for the neuron to be stimulated and this makes the person feel relieved. Effectivenes s Side effects- none. However some studies linked to increased risk of diabetes. Ease of use- little effort required LOCKWOOD- studied over 2000 musicians and found 27% reported taking beta blockers and felt better about their performance and music critics judged their performance as better too. KHAN ET AL- 250 patients assessed for 8 weeks, found BZ’s were superior to placebos in reducing anxiety HILDALGO ET AL- found BZ’s more effective than anti depressants Addiction- patients taking even small doses showed withdrawal symptoms, recommended to only use for maximum 4 weeks. Side effects- include increased aggressiveness and impaired long term memory, Treating the symptoms not the cause- the effect of the drugs runs out once stopped taking them, they do not solve the problems which caused the stress in the first place. Emotion focused stress management