Podcast
Questions and Answers
Define coping and differentiate problem-focused and emotion-focused coping skills.
Problem-focused coping deals directly with the stressful situation by either reducing its demands or increasing our capacity to deal with the stressor. Emotion-focused coping involves techniques to address emotional reactions to stress.
Compare and contrast the coping styles of women and men.
Women are more likely to rely on emotion-focused coping, while men tend to use problem-focused coping. Gender differences often disappear when comparing individuals with similar occupations, education, and income.
Define the hardy personality and its relationship with coping style and health.
The hardy personality embraces challenges, maintains health in adversity, and possesses commitment, challenges, and control. They view stressors as challenges rather than threats.
Discuss the relationships among explanatory style, the perception of control, stress, and illness.
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What is the perception of control, and how does it relate to coping?
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Discuss the relationship between socioeconomic status and coping style.
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Describe the relationship between physiological responses such as vagal tone and regulatory control.
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Differentiate the types of social support and discuss two hypotheses regarding its benefits.
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Study Notes
Coping Definitions
- Problem-focused coping: Directly addressing the stressor by either reducing its demands or enhancing the ability to manage it.
- Emotion-focused coping: Managing emotional responses to stress, potentially through behavioral strategies (like seeking support) or cognitive strategies (such as reframing or denying unpleasant information).
Gender Differences in Coping
- Women: Utilize emotion-focused coping; show lower blood pressure and stronger glucocorticoid responses.
- Men: Favor problem-focused coping; experience higher levels of catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine).
- Gender differences in coping may diminish when comparing individuals with similar careers, education, and income.
Hardy Personality
- Characteristics: Embraces challenges, maintains health under adversity, and possesses commitment, challenges, and control.
- Perspective: Views stressors as challenges rather than threats, leading to fewer physical and physiological reactions to stress.
Explanatory Style and Stress
- Explanatory Style: Attribution of outcomes to either positive or negative causes; influences stress management.
- Pessimism: Associated with negative outcomes like anxiety, depression, and unhealthy behaviors, leading to poorer health and earlier mortality.
- Optimism: Linked to shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery, and less physical distress, while bolstering immune functioning under stress.
Perception of Control
- Concept: Belief in one's ability to influence decisions and outcomes; critical for coping with stress.
- Learned Helplessness: Occurs under repeated, uncontrollable stress, potentially resulting in health disparities in marginalized groups.
- Strong personal control is correlated with problem-focused coping and effective health management behaviors.
Socioeconomic Status and Coping Styles
- Higher socioeconomic status is associated with problem-focused coping strategies.
- Lower socioeconomic status tends to lead to reliance on emotion-focused coping methods.
Vagal Tone and Regulatory Control
- Connection: Ability to regulate emotions through self-control can positively influence vagal tone.
- Study Findings: Students with higher vagal tones show less negative emotional response to stress and more constructive coping strategies.
Types of Social Support
- Definition: Emotional concern, material assistance, and companionship from others that aids coping.
- Social Support Hypotheses: Two key hypotheses explain the beneficial effects of social support; one focuses on emotional buffering, while the other emphasizes tangible assistance.
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Description
Test your knowledge on coping mechanisms with these flashcards from Chapter 5 of your psychology textbook. Understand the differences between problem-focused and emotion-focused coping skills through concise definitions and examples. Perfect for reinforcing your learning and preparing for exams.
