1. 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

2. 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.

3. Chapter 17

4. 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.”

5. 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

6. 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 a time
Less stress = fewer health issues

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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?

15. 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.