Psychology Chapter on Stress and Coping

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Questions and Answers

What is indicated by the perceived imbalance between task demands and a person's ability to cope?

Motivation

Satisfaction

Stress (correct)

Resilience

Which stage of Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome represents the body's initial response to stress?

Resistance

Exhaustion

Alarm (correct)

Adaptation

What role does the HPA axis play in stress response?

It triggers immediate physical reactions

It simultaneously releases adrenaline and cortisol

It accelerates the stress response

It provides a slower response through hormone release (correct)

During moments of stress, what temporary effect occurs in the body's immune function?

It boosts Signup and view all the answers

Which system triggers rapid arousal in response to a stressor?

Sympathetic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What defines psychological pressure?

Excessive or stressful demands made on an individual to think, feel, or act in particular ways. Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the physiological response to pressure that can vary from deep sleep to intense excitement?

Arousal Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between anxiety and stress?

Anxiety is a psychological state in reaction to perceived stress, whereas stress is a nonspecific bodily response to demands. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'clutch' performance?

Achieving peak performance in critical situations. Signup and view all the answers

What can be considered as a potential outcome of psychological stress according to definitions provided?

Development of maladaptive coping strategies. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents the concept of eustress?

A beneficial form of stress that promotes growth and motivation. Signup and view all the answers

What is generally understood as a fear of failure?

A significant anxiety about not meeting performance expectations. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when there is a perceived imbalance between demands placed on an individual and their ability to cope?

Psychological stress response. Signup and view all the answers

What role does cortisol play during stressful events?

It promotes blood sugar availability and regulates metabolism. Signup and view all the answers

What is a maladaptive effect of chronic stress according to the content?

Increased blood pressure and heart rate. Signup and view all the answers

What does the HPA pathway primarily involve?

Sequential hormone release affecting stress response. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of increased respiratory rate during stress?

To enhance oxygen supply and support physical activity. Signup and view all the answers

The Neurotoxicity Hypothesis suggests that chronic stress can lead to what effect?

Harmful effects on HPA-axis regulation. Signup and view all the answers

Which physiological change is an immediate response to stress?

Increased muscle tension. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the stress response according to the Darwinian approach?

To prepare the body for potential threats and enhance survival. Signup and view all the answers

How does chronic stress affect sleep quality?

It often leads to disturbed sleep patterns. Signup and view all the answers

What effect do chronically high cortisol levels have on cognitive functions?

They lead to cognitive impairments. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a potential source of stress?

Lack of sleep Signup and view all the answers

Which of Endler's facets of anxiety relates to fear of social judgment?

Social evaluation Signup and view all the answers

In the 4-stage process of how stress can influence performance, what is the first stage?

Facing objective demands Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of raised cognitive anxiety during stressful situations?

Disrupted concentration Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common example of intrapersonal factors that can cause stress?

Expectations and goals Signup and view all the answers

What behavioral consequence might result from perceived threats during performance?

Altered movement patterns Signup and view all the answers

What type of situation is likely to be classified as a hassle?

Finding a parking space Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of psychological resilience?

The promotion of personal assets and protection from stressors. Signup and view all the answers

Which coaching style is associated with a higher fear of failure?

Controlling coaching style. Signup and view all the answers

Which technique is commonly used in stress management?

Imagery. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory (PFAI) assess?

A person's fear of failure. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'psychological flexibility' in the context of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

The capacity to adapt to situations while maintaining core values. Signup and view all the answers

What role does social support play in managing psychological pressure?

It contributes positively to resilience and coping. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about fear of failure is true?

It can influence performance even before it occurs. Signup and view all the answers

What main focus should stress management strategies have?

To enhance ability to cope with stressors. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Psychological Pressure

Psychological pressure is an excessive or stressful demand, imagined or real, placed upon a person to think, feel, or act in a certain way.
This pressure can stem from cognitive and affective discomfort or disorder, leading to maladaptive coping strategies.
It is crucial to differentiate between "arousal," "anxiety," and "stress." Arousal is a general physiological and psychological activation of an organism, ranging from deep sleep to intense excitement.
Anxiety is an unpleasant psychological state in reaction to perceived stress concerning task performance under pressure.
Stress is a non-specific response to any demand placed on the body (Selye, 1976)
Stress can be a state or a trait, with "good stress" or "eustress" representing a positive stressor.

Stress Process

The stress process involves a perceived imbalance between the demands placed on an individual and their perceived ability to cope with them, where failure has severe consequences.
The interpretation of a perceived threat plays a key role in the stress process.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

GAS, described by Hans Selye, explains the body's response to stress in three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
The alarm stage initiates a fight-or-flight response, increasing stress resistance and coping ability.
During the resistance stage, the body adapts to the stressor.
The exhaustion stage involves depleted resources and a decreased ability to cope leading to potential maladaptive responses.

Stress Response

Stress can be initiated by physical or psychological stressors, with distinct neural networks involved.
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) triggers rapid arousal in response to stressors by releasing adrenaline.
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a slower response mechanism involving the release of corticotrophin-releasing factor from the hypothalamus.
The HPA axis releases cortisol, which controls blood sugar availability, regulates metabolism, and reduces inflammation.
In moments of stress, the stress response temporarily boosts immune function and reduces pain sensitivity.

Effects of Stress

Chronic stress can lead to maladaptive cognitions and emotions, including dilated pupils, elevated respiration even at rest, elevated heart rate even at rest, increased blood pressure, perspiration, muscle tension, gastrointestinal issues, and redirection of blood flow to large muscles.
Repeated bouts of acute stress and chronic stress can lead to maladaptive responses in biological, behavioral, and psychological domains, potentially affecting sleep patterns, cognitive processes, and mental wellbeing.

Neurotoxicity Hypothesis

High levels of glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol) over extended periods can negatively impact the HPA-axis regulation, potentially affecting the hippocampus and memory function (Lupien et al., 2007).
Chronic cortisol levels can lead to cognitive impairments in areas like attention, memory, and emotional processing, making individuals more vulnerable to mental health disorders (Lupien et al., 2018).

Sources of Psychological Stress

Stress can originate from different sources, including:
- Traumatic Events: e.g., military combat, car accidents, crime victimization
- Life Changes: e.g., moving, graduating, retirement
- Hassles: e.g., finding parking, burst pipes
- Other Stressors: e.g., job burnout, uncertainty
- Situational factors: e.g., competition, inadequate facilities, poor weather
- Intrapersonal factors: goals, demands, expectations, perceptions of readiness
- Interpersonal factors: teammates, coaches, spectators, conflict, expectations

Endler’s 5 Facets of Anxiety:

Interpersonal ego-threat
Physical danger
Ambiguity (fear of the unknown)
Disruption in daily routine
Social evaluation

Stress and Performance

A four-stage model explains how stress influences performance:
- Facing objective demands: The individual encounters a task or challenge.
- Interpretation of demands: The individual perceives the demands as threatening or non-threatening.
- Response to perceived imbalance: If perceived as threatening and the outcome matters, the individual may experience raised somatic anxiety (e.g., muscle tension) and cognitive anxiety (e.g., disrupted concentration).
- Behavioral consequences: Leading to a "try to survive" or "able to thrive" response under pressure.

Psychological Resilience

Psychological resilience refers to the role of mental processes and behaviors in promoting personal assets and protecting individuals from the negative effects of stressors (Fletcher & Sarkar, 2012).

Managing Psychological Pressure

Strategies to manage psychological pressure include:
- Reducing perceived demands: Techniques to mitigate the perceived stressfulness of a task or situation.
- Increasing coping ability: Enhancing the individual's capacity to handle demanding situations.
- Therapeutic interventions: e.g., CBT, ACT, release breathing, imagery, social support.

Psychological Flexibility

Psychological flexibility, achieved through techniques like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), involves being present, open, and willing to do what matters, even in the face of challenges.

Summary Key Points

Differentiate between arousal, anxiety, and stress.
Understand the stress process, including GAS, its response mechanisms (SNS, HPA), and its potential influence on performance.
Recognize the concepts of "clutch performance" and "choking" under pressure.
Conceptualize the concept of Fear of Failure (FoF).
Learn about stress management techniques like CBT, psychological resilience, and psychological flexibility.

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts related to stress, including definitions, the body's physiological responses, and the differences between stress and anxiety. Test your understanding of Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome and the role of the HPA axis in managing stress. Dive into topics like eustress and psychological pressure to deepen your knowledge of this critical psychological domain.