1. STRESS

2. What is it?
Stress is the body’s response to threatening (real or perceived) environmental conditions.
Stressors things that cause both psychological and physical changes, like an exam!

3. Another definition of Stress
A state of psychological tension and physiological arousal produced by a stressor
Refers to the lack of fit between the perceived demands of the situation and the person’s ability to cope
Ms R Kitchen 2005

4. Complete the worksheet
Key Terms - Stressor
Something in the environment (such as exams or work pressure) that produces a stress response in a person
Complete the worksheet
Ms R Kitchen 2005

5. Fight or Flight
Fido enters the classroom looking for trouble, you have 2 choices – run or take him on… For either of these options what would you need?
Energy!!!!
The Fight or Flight Response = the reaction of the nervous system in response to a stressful situation that produces energy to prepare the body extended and demanding amounts of effort
Ms R Kitchen 2005

6. Ms R Kitchen 2005

7. Ms R Kitchen 2005

8. How Does the Body Know it Has to Respond?
The body has 2 messenger systems: 1 is fast 1 is slow
1. Nervous System - travels through neurons (or nerve cells) –very fast transmission of information
2. Endocrine System – hormones that travel through the blood –much slower transmission
Ms R Kitchen 2005

9. What is the physical change?
This is often referred to as the flight-or- fight response
The main areas involved include the hypothalamus, nervous system, endocrine system, adrenaline, the pituitary gland, ACTH and cortisol

10. KEY SECTIONS FOR STRESS
Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System
Central Nervous System
Brain & Spinal Cord
Somatic Nervous System
Operates nerves attached to bone
AUTONOMIC
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Muscles not attached to bone (heart, stomach,
Diaphragm)
Involuntary – happens without thinking
PARASYMPATHETIC
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
KEY SECTIONS FOR STRESS
Ms R Kitchen 2005

11. Ms R Kitchen 2005

12. The Stress Reaction Aerobics
Stressor
H.P.A.
S.A.M.
HYPOTHALAMUS
Releases
Activates the
CRF Hormone
Sympathetic branch of the Autonomic Nervous System
Signals to the
Pituitary Gland
Adrenal Gland
To release
ACTH
Adrenal Cortex
Activates fight or flight response
Adrenal Medulla
releases
Adrenaline and Noradrenaline
Corticosteroids into the blood
Increases
Heart rate
Blood Pressure
Pupil Size
Breathing
Muscle Activity
Decreases
Digestion
Saliva production
Size of Blood vessels
Suppress Immune System
Convert fat & protein into sugar
Ms R Kitchen 2005
Energy ready for fight or flight

13. Chronic Vs Acute stress
On your worksheet, fill in the gaps.
Then :
List responses are produced by the Hypothalamic- Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA)
List responses are produced by the Sympathetic- Adrenomedullary Axis (S.A.M.)
Stretch and Challenge – exam style questions

14. Stretch and Challenge Extension Material from here onwards
So is all stress the same?
Theorists suggest that there are different types of stress:
Frustration stress – pursuit of some goal is thwarted
Conflict stress – two or more motivations or behavioural impulses are competing for expression
Change stress – even positive changes are still changes
Pressure stress – expectations or demands to behave in a certain way

15. Do we experience it in the same way?
Cognitive appraisal theory would say that “stress lies in the eye of the beholder”
Primary appraisal – initial evaluation 1) irrelevant? 2) relevant but not a threat? 3) stressful?
Secondary appraisal – evaluation of coping resources and options
Stress is therefore subjective – interpretation of an event is important; it will only be seen as stressful if it is first perceived as a threat and the person does not have the resources to cope
Factors that influence this will include gender, culture, personality and biology
TASK: Consider and discuss your own experiences of flying in an airplane

16. Why is stress a problem?
Stress is certainly a very useful adaptive mechanism that promotes survival in the animal kingdom
In our human world however, with such different stressors, there are many potential negative consequences:
Direct physiological effects - elevated blood pressure, weakened immune system, increased hormonal activity, psychophysiological conditions
Harmful behaviours – smoking, alcohol, drugs, poor nutrition, less sleep
Indirect health-related problems – decreased compliance, delayed care seeking

17. Why is it important to study it?
As well as preventing the associated negative health consequences for the individual it has important implications for society:
It costs the country millions of pounds a year in days off work and stress related illnesses
It contributes to countless broken marriages, arguments and neglected children