1. Effects of Stress
Module 13

2. Stress
how we perceive & respond to events that we appraise as threatening or challenging

3. Why Study Stress? Stress affects our behavior & mental processes
health psychology - subfield of psychology that focuses on how stress affects our well being and our health

4. Stress Awareness Brochure
Read “Stressful Events” & “Effects of Perceived Control” pages 248 – 251
Create a brochure informing others who have never studied psychology about key issues related to stress management including:
the 3 main types of stress (include which is most common)
how the 3 types of stress affect health
how our outlook and feelings of control can influence our health
suggestions for decreasing stress (can be based on class discussion or your own personal experiences)
brochure must also include at least 5 drawings & color

5. Stressful Events: 3 Main Types of Stressors

6. Daily Stress most significant source of stress
Stress can be caused by:
typical demands of the day
living situations
economic difficulties

7. Impact of Daily Stress on Health
persistent daily stress can produce burnout: physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion
Burnout can result in:
depression
decreased performance
Cynicism
daily stress: also tied to high blood pressure, shorter life expectancy, increase in suicide, divorce, & murder rates

8. Significant Life Changes
result of personal life changes:
death of a loved one
leaving home for college
changing jobs
can result in health problems – greater vulnerability to disease

9. Catastrophes large scale stress events (earthquakes, floods, war)
prolonged exposure can lead to physical and psychological problems – heart-attack, depression

10. Responses to Stress

11. Walter Cannon
stressful situations trigger the release of stress hormones (cortisol & adrenaline) into the nervous system
first described fight or flight response
stress response of nervous system:
increased heart rate
dulls the sensation of pain
sends more blood to larger muscles

12. Stress Response of the Nervous System
Calming of the Nervous System

13. Hans Selye researched recurring responses to stress
discovered various chemicals caused stress reactions in animals
developed the concept of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS)

14. General Adaptation Syndrome
Three Phases:
Alarm Reaction – nervous system activated in response to stressor (fight-or-flight)
Resistance – stress hormones (cortisol & adrenaline) allow the body to keep responding with physiological reactions to cope with the stressor
Exhaustion – body’s resistance to stress is depleted (physical deterioration)

15. Key Principle from GAS:
Although our bodies are built to handle temporary stress, prolonged stress will produce physical deterioration

16. General Adaptation Syndrome

17. Psychological Responses to Stress
mental slowness, confusion
general negative attitudes or thoughts
constant worry
your mind races at times
difficulty concentrating
forgetfulness
difficulty thinking in a logical sequence
irritation
no sense of humor
frustration
jumpiness, overexcitability
feeling overworked, overwhelmed
sense of helplessness
apathy

18. Behavioral Responses to Stress
agitated behavior, like twiddling your fingers
playing with your hair
stumbling over words
nervousness
lack of energy/fatigue
decreased contact with family and friends
poor work/school relations
sense of loneliness
avoiding others and others avoid you because you’re cranky
failing to set aside times for relaxation through activities such as hobbies, music, art or reading

19. Effects of Perceived Control

20. Responding to Stress: Two Options

21. Perceived Control
sense of control or influence one has over stressful events in one’s life
studies suggest the lower the perceived control the larger the potential for health-related problems

22. Stress Hormones hormones released in response to stress
the body must work to rid itself of the stress hormones
pessimism and perceived lack of control both produce more stress hormones.

23. Optimism a generally positive outlook on the future
optimists have stronger immune systems & recover faster from health problems

24. Stress and Disease: Cancer and Stress
Read “Cancer and Stress” page 251
Answer the following questions in your notes:
Is there a stress-cancer connection?
Does stress create cancer cells?
How does stress affect the body’s malignancy-fighting ability?

25. Stress-Cancer Connection
evidence for a connection is not conclusive
two conclusions:
stress does not create cancer cells
stress-weakened immune systems are more likely to allow tumor growth they would otherwise combat

26. Stress and Disease: Stress and Heart Problems
Read “Stress and Heart Problems” page
Answer the following questions in your notes:
What is the difference between Type A & Type B personalities?
What did Friedman’s study conclude when studying the instances of heart disease among men?
Which type of personality was more likely to have a heart attack?
How are anger and depression linked to heart disease?

27. Type A Individuals
individuals who are competitive, hard-driving, impatient, verbally aggressive, and anger-prone
more prone to heart attacks & other stress related illnesses

28. Type B Individuals
individuals who are easygoing, laid-back, and relaxed