Psychology 1000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Adrenal Medulla, Glucocorticoid, Cortisol

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Dr.Mike

Document Summary

Stressors (catastrophes, life changes, hassles) intervening factors (appraisal, perceived control, personality, social support, coping) stress reactions (physiological, emotional, behavioural) Sympathetic n. s, adrenal medulla activated, epinephrine goes up. Signal sent to hypothalamus then anterior pituitary gland stimulate adrenal cortex which release glucocorticoids (cortisol) Almost every cell in body has receptor for glucocorticoids. Stress results in release of glucocorticoids directly suppress the action of white blood cells. Rats faced with inescapable shock showed a decrease in lymphocyte production. Husbands show decreased immune response after wife"s death. People are more likely to get sick a few days after exposure to stressful event. Acute infectious disorders increase during final exams. Do you perceive that situation is a threat and that you can not cope: distress. Disorders with primarily physical symptoms but caused or maintained by psychological factors: eg hypertension. Group 2: avoidable shock: proceeded by warning but no example possible. Group 3: unavoidable shock: unsignalled shock.