1. Physiological psychology
BODILY RESPONSE TO STRESSORS

2. PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS RESPONSE

3. Place the terms in the correct column
SAM
HYPOTHALAMUS
HPA
PITUITARY GLAND
ANS (SYMPATHETIC)
ACTH
ADRENAL MEDULLA
ADRENAL CORTEX
ADRENALINE
CORTISOL
FIGHT OR FLIGHT
ACUTE STRESS
CHRONIC STRESS

4. GAS (General Adaptation Syndrome)

5. ALARM
The ‘fight and flight’ response
SAM

6. RESISTANCE
If the stressor isn’t removed.
Cortisol is released (HPA)

7. EXHAUSTION
The production of ACTH is inhibited once there is a certain level of ACTH and corticosteroids already circulating.
Blood sugar returns to normal, but if the stress situation, the body cannot meet the demands being made on it.

8. EFFECTS OF EXHAUSTION
Blood glucose levels drop – in extreme cases leading to hypoglycaemia
Hypertension
Coronary heart disease
Asthma
Peptic ulcers

9. EVALUATION OF GAS
Selye’s work was a breakthrough in explaining the physiological response to stress.
Not all stressors produce the same pattern of activity.
The research was mainly done with rats and generalised to humans.
Psychological factors are ignored, i.e. stress must be ‘perceived’ first.