Chronic Stress and Cortisol

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Questions and Answers

What is the significance of songlines in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) culture?

They represent ancient musical traditions.

They serve as timelines for cultural events.

They are navigational tracts connecting knowledge to specific locations. (correct)

They are used solely for storytelling.

Which aspect of learning is emphasized in a holistic system for ATSI learners?

Prioritizing place and connection to Country. (correct)

Individual achievement above community.

Focus solely on written communication.

Linear progression through educational stages.

How is knowledge traditionally shared within ATSI cultures?

Exclusively written documentation.

Via narratives, song, dance, and ceremony. (correct)

Through formal teaching only.

Mainly using visual aids in classrooms.

What does the term 'oral culture' denote in the context of ATSI learning?

A system that emphasizes storytelling and spoken knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

In ATSI learning practices, how is 'non-linear' learning best characterized?

Experiencing learning as interconnected and dynamic. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant role of cortisol in chronic stress?

It has a wider range of functions than other stress hormones. Signup and view all the answers

How does cortisol affect the body during a stress response?

It increases the energy supply, such as blood sugar. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the gut-brain axis?

It connects the enteric nervous system and the central nervous system. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of cortisol acting on the immune system?

It reduces immune system activity. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the parasympathetic dominance have on physical movement?

It may lead to an inability to move. Signup and view all the answers

What physiological state involves both energy conservation and readiness for action?

Sympathetic dominance. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the measurement of cortisol in the bloodstream significant for researchers?

It serves as a primary measure of stress levels. Signup and view all the answers

Why do people experience 'butterflies' in their stomachs?

As a direct result of brain signaling to the gut. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called that stabilizes newly formed memories after learning?

Consolidation Signup and view all the answers

How long does the initial rapid storage of memory consolidation typically take?

Hours to Days Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when a memory is retrieved and then subjected to further consolidation?

Reconsolidation Signup and view all the answers

Which brain structure is primarily involved in the formation of explicit memories?

Hippocampus Signup and view all the answers

What type of memory is associated with the emotional responses to specific events?

Implicit Memory Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of neural degeneration in the hippocampus?

Development of Alzheimer's disease Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of a memory is typically encoded by the hippocampus during an emotionally arousing experience?

Temporal details Signup and view all the answers

Which system may initiate physical reactions, such as muscle tightening, related to a memory?

Sympathetic Nervous System Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant aspect of quantitative data?

It relies on measurements and numerical values. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines beneficence in research ethics?

Maximizing benefits while minimizing harm. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of extraneous variable (EV)?

Placebo group Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'integrity' refer to in the context of research?

Honest reporting of findings and adherence to ethical principles. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'individual differences' in experiment contexts?

The unique traits of participants that affect study outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would best minimize sampling errors?

Ensuring the sample is diverse and representative of the population. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'mode' refer to in statistics?

The most frequently occurring score in a dataset. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered an unethical study?

Research that does not prioritize the welfare of its participants. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of a lower diversity imbalance of gut microbiota?

Increases stress levels Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the alarm reaction stage of stress according to the biological model?

The body enters a state of shock Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of the resistance stage of stress if not managed?

Exhaustion may occur Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a strength of the biological model of stress?

It highlights predictable patterns in stress response Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT a limitation of the biological model of stress?

Recognizes individual differences in responses Signup and view all the answers

In the transactional model of stress and coping, what is primary appraisal focused on?

Identifying the significance of a stressor Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of the transactional model of stress and coping?

It lacks systematic and experimental data Signup and view all the answers

Which coping strategy is considered an approach strategy?

Practicing mindfulness Signup and view all the answers

How does cortisol function during the resistance stage of stress?

It supports the body's ongoing response to stress Signup and view all the answers

What is a common sign of exhaustion in the biological model of stress?

Signs of physical 'wear and tear' Signup and view all the answers

Which type of coping strategy involves moving away from the problem?

Disengaging strategy Signup and view all the answers

In the resistance stage of stress, what happens to physiological processes?

They are diminished Signup and view all the answers

Which coping resource involves expressing feelings to others?

Crying Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to consider context-specific effectiveness in coping strategies?

To promote individualized techniques Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Parasympathetic Dominance

Parasympathetic dominance may be the reason for being unable to move.

Highly Aroused Physiological State

Involves energy conservation (parasympathetic system) and readiness for action (sympathetic system).

Role of Cortisol in Chronic Stress

Cortisol has a wider range of functions than other stress hormones and is involved in both responses to acute stressors and chronic stress.
Cortisol's effects last longer than other stress hormones.
Helps keeps the body elevated at a state of arousal even after the fight or flight/freeze response, which allows the body to continue to deal with stress for a longer period.
Cortisol levels in the bloodstream are used to measure stress.
It immediately energizes the body in response to a stressor by increasing the energy supply, such as blood sugar, and enhancing metabolism.
Cortisol turns off all bodily systems not immediately required to deal with a stressor.
Cortisol has an anti-inflammatory effect by blocking the activity of white blood cells.

Gut-Brain Axis

The gut-brain axis is the relationship between the gut and the brain.
The gut is referred to as the second brain, and is made up of the enteric nervous system.
The brain is made of the central nervous system.
The feeling of butterflies in the stomach is caused by the gut-brain axis.
Multiple pathways link the brain and enteric nervous system.
Information flows back and forth continuously between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain.
The gastrointestinal tract is also known as the digestive tract.

Microbiota Connection to Stress

A lower diversity imbalance in microbiota increases stress.
Mayer et al. (2015) conducted a study on animals that had microorganisms from their gut microbiota removed, which showed that the animals secreted more stress hormones and showed anxiety-like behaviours.
Recent research on humans shows that an unhealthy gut microbiota is linked to higher stress levels, anxiety disorders, cognitive decline and autism.

Biological Model of Stress

Stage one: Alarm Reaction
- Occurs when a person becomes aware of a stressor.
- The body initially goes into shock, and the ability to deal with stressors drops below normal.
- Countershock occurs when the sympathetic nervous system is activated and the body's resistance to the stressor increases.
Stage two: Resistance
- The state of stress continues when the source of the stressor is not dealt with.
- Energy is required, meaning the body will continue to respond and cope with the stressor.
- The body enters stage of resistance.
- The stressor rises above normal.
- Intense arousal diminishes through the parasympathetic nervous system, but the arousal remains above normal.
- All physiological processes are shut down.
- Cortisol supports resistance by continuously being released into the bloodstream.
- Cortisol suppresses the immune system.
Stage three: Exhaustion
- The body may reach exhaustion if the stressor is not dealt with immediately within the resistance stage.
- Some alarm reactions may reappear.
- The body cannot sustain resistance, and the effects of the stressor are no longer dealt with.
- Weak resistance to disease.
- Heightens the risk of mental and physical disorders.

Strengths and Limitations of the Biological Model of Stress

Strengths
- There is evidence of a relationship between stress and illness.
- It highlights a predictable pattern that can be measured in individuals.
Limitations
- The model was conducted on rats, not humans.
- It does not account for individual differences.
- The nonspecific stress response may be limited.
- Different stressors have different reactions.
- Different people have different reactions.
- Different experiences could lead to different stress responses.

Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Coping Resources
- Talking, crying, anger, excitement, yoga/sport, mindfulness, asking for help.
Strengths
- Accounts for individual differences.
- It is a personalised approach for everyone.
- Different responses are possible.
- Responses can change through reappraisal.
- Responses are different over time.
- It talks about thoughts and feelings.
Limitations
- It is not systematic or experimental due to the subjective nature of the data collected.
- There is overlap of primary and secondary appraisal stages.
- It is unscientific.
- It does not talk about anything biological (physical elements).
- There is too much happening in our lives to isolate this model.

Coping with Stress

Strategies
- Approach: Effort to confront the stressor. Engaging.
- Avoidance: Effort to evade a stressor. Disengaging.
Strategies for Coping
- Exercise: Physically uses up cortisol, making us feel better.
- Social Connection: Helps us feel heard and connected, which we need.
- Physical Relaxation: Helps to calm down the body and relax muscles.
- Meditation: Helps to relax emotionally and calm the mind.
- Alcohol/Drugs: Can be used to numb, distract, and change the way we feel.

Context-Specific Effectiveness

How effective is your coping strategy in really targeting the situation?

Consolidation

Consolidation is a neurobiological process of making a newly formed memory stable and enduring following a learning experience.
Time is required after learning to enable the new information to consolidate as a durable long-term memory.
There are two stages of consolidation:
- Initial rapid storage (takes days)
- Followed by a slower process for long-term storage (permanent).
Once memories are consolidated, they are not unchangeable.
When a memory is retrieved, it is open to further consolidation and must be re-established.
Changes in the information in an original memory mean that a revised version is reconsolidated.

Neural Degeneration in the Hippocampus

Neural degeneration in the hippocampus contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Links are made to establish between different interrelated bits of memory to enable their retrieval as a single memory.
The hippocampus plays a role in integrating new incoming information with existing info.
When we are emotionally aroused, we form semantic and episodic memories about emotional situations.
When emotionally arousing memories are retrieved, the activity of the hippocampus enables us to remember details such as the location, time of an event and those who were present.
The activation of the amygdala during retrieval also evokes the emotional arousal content.
Sympathetic nervous system reactions can occur, such as muscle tightening and increased heart rate.
The hippocampus is important for spatial memory.

Quantitative and Qualitative Data

Qualitative Data
- Descriptive
- Subjective data based on opinion
Quantitative Data
- Measurement (numbers)
- Mean, median, mode

Subjective and Objective

Subjective: Subjects from the inside
Objective: Subjects from the outside

Sources of Error

Sampling
- Biased sampling
- Small samples
Ethics
- Unethical studies are not scientific.
- Studies cannot be replicated.
Extraneous Variables (EV)
- Any factor other than the independent variable that affects the dependent variable.
- Are not controlled, but are usually limited.
- Too much control can be artificial.

Types of Extraneous Variables

PONIES
- Placebo: Fake treatment used for a controlled group.
- Order Effect: The order in which a study is done, counterbalanced by reversing the order for half the group.
- Non-Standard Instructions: Giving different groups different instructions may bias results.
- Individual Differences: You are being compared to yourself, rather than someone else with different characteristics.
- Experimenter: The experimenter can influence the outcome of the study.
- Situational: The context and environment must be as similar as possible.

Ethics

Refers to standards that guide individuals to desired conduct.
Helps us make moral judgments about what is right or wrong (acceptable/unacceptable).

Ethical Concepts

Beneficence: Commitment to maximizing benefit and minimizing harm when taking a particular course of action.
Integrity: Commitment to searching for knowledge/understanding.
Justice: Moral obligation to ensure that there is fair consideration of competing claims.

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Description

This quiz explores the role of cortisol in chronic stress, including its effects on the body's physiological state and its function in response to stressors. Understanding the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems helps to clarify why chronic stress can lead to various health issues.