PSY 1102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Hans Selye, Walter Bradford Cannon, Sympathetic Nervous System

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 1102
• Professor: victor emerson

Document Summary

Stress is the process by which we perceive and respond to certain events, called stressors, that we appraise as threatening or challenging (p. 489). The same stimulus can be stressful for one person and innocuous to another. Short-lived stressors can have positive effects, such as energising the fight-or-flight response. However, long-lived, chronic stressors can damage us, whether the stressor be abuse experienced by a child, the stress of battle, an oppressive work environment, or some other condition. Stressors that is, an event or situation that can cause stress can take many forms, such as: Catastrophes such as earthquakes, strong storms, etc. Family disruptions, such as moving, losing a job, relationship break-up, etc. Serious illnesses, death of a loved one, etc. Financial concerns, including credit-card debt, income tax, etc. Daily hassles, including uncompleted duties, traffic, being late, etc. World events, such as increasing unemployment, a sagging economy, terrorist attacks (real or anticipated), etc.