PSY 150A1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Wishful Thinking, Sunscreen, Adrenal Gland

• School: University of Arizona
• Department: Psychology Main
• Course: PSY 150A1
• Professor: Adam Lazarewicz

Document Summary

Lecture outline #14: health psychology health psychology: focus on psychological factors related to wellness/illness (stress and illness relationship, disease prevention) Stress: mental reaction to things out in the world. Produce opposing tendencies (wanting to study but also wanting to put it off) Sometimes they don"t have clear resolution (terrorist attacks) more long term stress. 2. personal stressors: major life events for an individual. More personal stressors weakened immune system more illness. 3. background stressors (aka. daily hassles): minor, day to day annoyances for an individual. More background stressors weakened immune system more illness. In the brain) adrenal glands (on top of kidneys. Produce epinephrine) triggers production of cortisol (very important hormone for stress) amygdala hypothalamus pituitary gland adrenal glands cortisol. Cortisol: hormone produced by adrenal gland in response to stress. Body prepares to fight or flee when faced with threat. Increased heart rate increases blood flow to brain and muscles. Increased muscle tension extra speed and strength.