Psychology Chapter on Stress Responses

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Questions and Answers

What is a stressor?

A gradual change in environment

A sudden emotional outburst

A perceived threat to well-being (correct)

A physical injury that causes pain

Which stage of General Adaptation Syndrome occurs immediately after a threat is perceived?

Alarm Stage (correct)

Flashback Stage

Exhaustion Stage

Resistance Stage

What type of stress is considered positive and can enhance performance?

Neustress

Eustress (correct)

Distress

Chronic Stress

Which of the following is a characteristic of the exhaustion stage of stress response?

Depletion of the body's resources Signup and view all the answers

What does the Yerkes-Dodson Law suggest about stress and performance?

Moderate stress improves performance, while excessive stress impairs it Signup and view all the answers

Which option describes the psychological factors, nervous system, and immune system interaction in stress response?

Psychoneuroimmunology Signup and view all the answers

In response to stress, women are more likely to engage in which behavior compared to men?

Social support seeking Signup and view all the answers

When is diaphragmatic breathing most beneficial?

In situations of acute stress and anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum recommended amount of sleep for adolescents aged 14-17?

8 hours Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following STDs is considered curable?

Chlamydia Signup and view all the answers

What does vertical transmission refer to in the context of infections?

Transfer from mother to baby Signup and view all the answers

Which symptomatic stage of syphilis presents painless sores?

Primary Stage Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of dopamine in drug use?

It is the neurotransmitter most affected by drugs. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following birth control methods is considered permanent?

Tubal ligation Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'fomite' refer to?

An object that transmits infections Signup and view all the answers

Which eating disorder is characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors?

Bulimia Nervosa Signup and view all the answers

What are common symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases?

Abnormal discharge and painful urination Signup and view all the answers

Which birth control method is categorized as low-maintenance?

IUDs Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'substance use disorder' refer to?

A diagnosable mental disorder due to drug use Signup and view all the answers

What cardiovascular issue can arise from eating disorders?

Bradycardia Signup and view all the answers

What personality types are at greater risk for drug use?

Sensation-seeking and impulsive Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a risk factor for drug use?

Early drug use Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Stress

Stressor Definition: A perceived threat (real or imagined) affecting mental, physical, or emotional well-being, triggering a stress response.
Selye's GAS: A model of the body's stress response with three phases: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
Fight-or-Flight: The body's automatic response to threat, preparing for confrontation or escape.
Allostatic Load: The cumulative wear and tear on the body from repeated exposure to stress.
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI): The study of how psychological factors, the nervous system, and the immune system interact to affect health and the stress response.
Alarm Stage (GAS): Immediate reaction to a threat, activating the sympathetic nervous system, releasing stress hormones.
Resistance Stage (GAS): Coping with stressors; using resources to maintain alertness.
Exhaustion Stage (GAS): Prolonged stress depleting resources, leading to fatigue, burnout, and illness susceptibility.
Eustress: Positive stress motivating action and enhancing performance.
Distress: Negative stress impairing functioning and health.
Neustress: Neutral stress with no immediate impact.
Acute Stress: Short-term stress from specific events.
Chronic Stress: Long-term stress from persistent challenges.
Yerkes-Dodson Law: Moderate stress improves performance; excessive stress impairs it.
Stress & Illness: Prolonged stress increases the risk of chronic illnesses (cardiovascular, autoimmune, gastrointestinal, anxiety/depression).
Nomophobia: Fear of being without a mobile phone; related to technology addiction, social media dependence.
Gender Differences: Men more likely to use problem-solving or avoidance; women more likely to "tend-and-befriend," seeking social support (higher oxytocin levels possibly mitigating stress more effectively).
Diaphragmatic Breathing: Reduces acute stress and anxiety, lowering heart rate, blood pressure, and symptoms.
Sleep & Adolescents/Young Adults: Adolescents (14-17) need 8+ hours; Young Adults (18-25) need 7-9 hours.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Reportable STDs: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. Must be reported for tracking and prevention.
HIV Distribution (US): Highest rates in Southern urban areas, impacting marginalized groups (MSM, people who inject drugs).
Fomite: An object or material transmitting infection (e.g., contaminated sex toy).
Curable STDs: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis (treated with antibiotics).
Incurable STDs: HIV, herpes (HSV), hepatitis B, and HPV (managed with treatment, not cured).
Vertical Transmission: Infection from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding (e.g., gonorrhea, HIV).
Syphilis Stages:
Primary: Painless sores (chancres).
Secondary: Skin rashes, swollen lymph nodes, flu-like symptoms.
Latent: No visible symptoms; infection remains.
Tertiary: Severe complications affecting organs (brain, heart).
HPV Types: Over 200 types; some cause genital warts, others are high-risk for cancer.
Common STD Symptoms: Abnormal discharge, painful urination, genital sores/blisters, itching, pain during intercourse, swollen lymph nodes.
STD with Classic Blisters: Genital herpes (HSV) causes blisters around the genitals/anal area.
Most Effective Birth Control: Implants, IUDs, sterilization, hormonal birth control.
Birth Control Types:
Low-Maintenance: IUDs, implants (last 3-12 years).
Scheduled: Pills (daily), Depo-Provera shot (every 3 months), rings (monthly/yearly).
Use-Every-Time: Condoms, diaphragms, sponges.
Permanent: Tubal ligation, vasectomy (surgical, irreversible).
Condom Differences:
Male Condoms: Worn on penis (latex, polyurethane, lambskin; lambskin doesn't protect against STIs).
Internal Condoms: Inserted into vagina or anus (protection against STIs and pregnancy).
Breastfeeding as Birth Control: Exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months postpartum can suppress ovulation.

Addiction

Drug Misuse: Improper use of prescribed or OTC drugs.
Drug Abuse: Use of drugs for non-medical purposes, potentially leading to addiction.
Substance Use Disorder: A diagnosable mental disorder involving compulsive drug use despite harmful consequences.
Neurotransmitter Effects: Drugs can mimic natural neurotransmitters, overstimulate release, or block reuptake, disrupting brain communication.
Reward Circuit: Nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala, reinforcing pleasurable behaviors, motivating drug use.
Most Affected Neurotransmitter: Dopamine (changes in neural connections reinforcing addictive behaviors).
Protective Factors: Strong family support, academic success, positive coping skills.
Risk Factors: Early drug use, genetic predisposition, mental health issues, poverty.
Factors Affecting Drug Use: Individual (age of first use, sex, genetics), Family (history of substance abuse, parental attitudes), Community (peer influence, school environment, neighborhood crime), Structural (socioeconomic status, cultural norms, healthcare access).
Personality Risk Factors: Sensation-seeking, impulsive, risk-taking personalities.

Eating Disorders

Eating Disorder Types:
Anorexia Nervosa: Extreme food restriction, fear of weight gain, distorted body image.
Bulimia Nervosa: Binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors (vomiting, excessive exercise).
Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Recurrent binge eating without purging.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Avoidance of specific foods.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED): Don't meet specific criteria, causing distress.
Cardiovascular Consequences: Bradycardia, arrhythmias, possible heart failure (related to malnutrition, electrolyte imbalance).
Lanugo: Fine, soft hair growth in response to severe weight loss (anorexia nervosa).
Factors Affecting Eating Disorders:
Biological: Family history, genetics, metabolic conditions.
Psychological: Perfectionism, low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, mental health issues.
Societal: Weight stigma, bullying, unrealistic beauty standards, media influence.
Impacted Populations: All genders, ages, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations & body sizes; estimated 9% of US population experiences an eating disorder.

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Explore the intricate mechanisms of stress through this engaging quiz. Delve into concepts like Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), the fight-or-flight response, and the effects of allostatic load on health. Test your understanding of how stress impacts mental and physical well-being.