1. I CAN:
Describe the 4 stage process in which all humans react to stress
Explain each of the 3 Stages of GAS

2. How and Why Do We Experience Stress?
The human stress response to perceived threat activates thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and physiological arousal that normally promote adaptation and survival
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3. Stressor A stressful stimulus …. a condition demanding adaptation
Stress and Stressors
Stress
A physical and mental response to a challenging or threatening situation
Stressor A stressful stimulus …. a condition demanding adaptation

4. A Model of Stress

5. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Cohen and Ahearn
Identified five stages that occur in the wake of natural disasters
Psychic numbness: Shock, confusion
Automatic action: Little awareness/recall of the experience
Communal effort: People pool resources and collaborate
Letdown: Depletion of energy, feel abandoned
Recovery: Survivors adapt to changes created by the catastrophe
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

6. The Physical Stress Response
The physical response to nearly any stressor follows the same sequence.
Initial arousal
Protective behavioral reaction, often fight-or-flight (or freezing)
Internal responses to the autonomic nervous system and endocrine system
Decrease in the effectiveness of the immune system
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

7. The Physical Stress Response
Arousal: Increased physiological state
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8. The Physical Stress Response
Acute Stress A temporary pattern of arousal caused by a stressor with a clear onset and limited duration
Example: flashing blue lights in your rearview mirror
Chronic Stress A continuous state of stressful arousal persisting over time
Example: A bad marriage
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

9. The Physical Stress Response
Fight-or-Flight Response A sequence of internal processes that prepares the organism for struggle or escape
Withdrawal: If fight or flight is not possible, or stressor is too much to handle, the organism may ‘freeze’
Ex: Deer in the headlights
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10. The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
A pattern of responses to any serious chronic stressor
Prolonged stressor response can contribute to heart disease, ulcers, arthritic, asthma, even death
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11. General Adaptation Syndrome
G. A. S.
3 Stages
1. Alarm
2. Resistance
3. Exhaustion
Healthy Adaptation or Illness
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12. Stage One - Alarm Reaction
1. Body mobilizes its resources to cope with a stressor
2. Hypothalamus sets off a response through the endocrine system
3. Adrenal hormones are released
4. The sympathetic nervous system is activated
Sympathetic
--Mobilize energy from stores, inhibit further storage
Inhibit digestion, growth, reproduction, immunity
--Increase HR, BP, breathing
--Fight or flight response
--Analgesia
--Aspects of senses and memory improve
IF STRESSOR IS NOT REMOVED IN TIME,
THE ORGANISM MOVES TO NEXT STAGE
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13. Stage Two - Stage of Resistance
Arousal (Alarm reaction) subsides
The parasympathetic system activates adrenal output slows
If a second stressor is introduced, the organism may not be able to adapt
Resistance
Body tries to adapt to stressor
Hormonal changes to cope with stress
Conservation of resources
Effects on activity level, feeding etc.
IF STRESSOR IS NOT REMOVED IN TIME,
THE ORGANISM MOVES TO NEXT STAGE
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

14. Stage Three - Stage of Exhaustion
Organism tires fighting stressor
Symptoms of Alarm Stage (Stage One) reappear
Parasympathetic system overcompensates in an attempt to stop surging hormones
IF STRESSOR DOES NOT DISAPPEAR IN TIME
DEATH OCCURS
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

15. The General Adaptation Syndrome
Alarm Reaction
Alarm reaction – the body mobilizes it’s resources to cope with a stressor
Exhaustion
Illness/death
Exhaustion – the body depletes it’s resources
Resistance
Resistance – the body seems to adapt to the presence of the stressor
Successful Resistance
Level of
normal resistance
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

16. Stress and the Immune System
The human immune system response, which evolved to respond to short-term stressors, may react to chronic stressors by breaking down and turning on itself
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

17. Personality Types and Stress
Type A –
behavior pattern characterized by intense, angry, competitive, or perfectionist responses to challenging situations
Type B –
behavior pattern characterized by a relaxed, unstressed approach to life
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18. Resilience
Capacity to adapt, achieve well-being, and cope with stress, in spite of serious threats to development
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19. Conflict Approach-Approach Conflict
A conflict in which one must choose between two equally attractive options
Finish college or take a full-time job offer
Easiest conflict to resolve
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20. Conflict Approach-Avoidance Conflict
A conflict in which there are both appealing and negative aspects to the decision to be made
Going out to a party, knowing that you will be grounded for being at the party.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

21. Conflict Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict
A conflict in which one must choose between two equally unattractive options
You intensely hate your job, but fear the reality of unemployment if you quit
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22. Conflict Multiple Approach-Avoidance Conflict
A conflict in which one must choose between options that have both many attractive and many negative aspects
Go to the Party
Meet friends
Have a good time
Aren’t alone
Aren’t bored
Go to the Party
Get grounded
Don’t study for a test …fail it
Do something stupid that you’ll regret
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

23. CAN I?
Describe the 4 stage process in which all humans react to stress
Explain each of the 3 Stages of GAS