PSYC 2301 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Allostatic Load, Sympathetic Nervous System, Heart Rate Variability
24 Jul 2016
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Document Summary
Describe & define stress, know theories & models used to study stress. Understand what makes events stressful, describe sources of stress. Stress: negative emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological, cognitive, & behavioural changes, directed either toward altering stressful event or accommodating to its effects. Stressor: any stressful event, such as noise or commute to work, may be stressful to some ppl, but not to others. Process of appraising events as harmful, threatening, or challenging. Assessing potential responses, responding to those events: caveat: some events/occurrences have little/no room for appraisal w/ ability to manage or deal with it . E. g. war, genocide, natural disasters, low ses, among others. Fight or flight: walter cannon (1932) physiological response mobilizes organism to attack threat or to flee. Occur via sympathetic nervous system & endocrine system: allows quick response, but also harms emotional & physiological well-being if response continues. Criticism of the general adaptation syndrome: has limited ability to address psychological factors.
