Social Psychology - Stress and Health

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Questions and Answers

What is one possible reaction to frustration?

Persistence (correct)

Indifference

Resignation

Surrender

Which stage of General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is characterized by the body's initial reaction to a stressor?

Alarm (correct)

Resistance

Recovery

Exhaustion

What does prolonged stress response coupled with depleted resources potentially lead to?

Mental clarity

Immediate recovery

Stress-related diseases (correct)

Enhanced immune response

Which of the following best describes conflict in a psychological context?

Being pulled toward multiple desires or goals Signup and view all the answers

How does stress generally affect the immune system?

It negatively affects immune response Signup and view all the answers

In the resistance stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome, what occurs?

The organism's stress response becomes activated and resources are depleted Signup and view all the answers

What is a drastic form of escape in reaction to frustration?

Suicide Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'exhaustion' refer to in the context of General Adaptation Syndrome?

Prolonged stress response leading to depleted resources Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe the responses to events that are perceived as threatening or challenging?

Stress Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is classified as a catastrophe?

Natural disasters Signup and view all the answers

What effect does distress typically have?

It results from unpleasant and undesirable stressors. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes micro-stressors?

Daily annoyances like losing keys. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common outcome of accumulating daily hassles?

Higher health risks. Signup and view all the answers

Pressure refers to which type of psychological experience?

Urgent demands or expectations imposed by external sources. Signup and view all the answers

A major life event that can cause stress could include which of the following?

Starting a new job. Signup and view all the answers

What relationship does stress have with personality?

Certain personality types may cope with stress differently. Signup and view all the answers

What is psychoneuroimmunology primarily concerned with?

The effects of psychological factors on the immune system Signup and view all the answers

Prolonged stress has what effect on the immune system?

It reduces the functioning of the immune system Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of pessimism on health compared to optimism?

Pessimists have a higher death rate than optimists. Signup and view all the answers

Which personality type is primarily associated with being competitive and having high levels of hostility?

Type A Signup and view all the answers

Which method of acculturation involves maintaining one's own culture while forming positive relationships with the majority culture?

Integration Signup and view all the answers

How does stress influence unhealthy behaviors?

It makes individuals less likely to exercise and more prone to overeating Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of natural killer cells (NK) in the immune system?

They suppress viruses and destroy tumor cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the social support system primarily associated with?

A higher rate of pain tolerance in patients. Signup and view all the answers

Which personality type is least likely to develop health issues related to stress?

Type H Signup and view all the answers

What type of coping strategy seeks to eliminate the source of a stressor?

Problem-focused coping Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of Type C personality?

They internalize anger and find it hard to express emotions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is characterized by not engaging in either minority or majority culture, leading to a loss of identity?

Marginalization Signup and view all the answers

What is acculturative stress primarily a result of?

Changing and adapting to the majority culture. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'hardy personality' refer to?

Individuals who thrive on stress and demonstrate commitment, control, and challenge Signup and view all the answers

How does a strong social support system affect longevity?

Leads to better outcomes in chronic disease management. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the effects of stress on physical health?

Prolonged stress can lead to burnout affecting health. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Stress is the term used to describe physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses to events perceived as threatening or challenging.
Stressors are events that cause stress reactions.
Distress is the effect of unpleasant and undesirable stressors.
Eustress is the effect of positive events or the optimal amount of stress that motivates adaptation and change.

Learning Objectives

Understand the concept of stress
Explain sources of stress in everyday life
Explain bodily reactions to stress
Understand the relationship between stress and the immune system
Discuss the relationship between stress and personality
Discuss the relationship between stress and social factors
Discuss coping strategies

Types of Stressors

Environmental Stressors:
- Catastrophe - unpredictable, large-scale events needing adaptation and adjustment, often leading to PTSD, anxiety, sleep problems, and substance abuse.
- Major Life Events - events requiring lifestyle changes, e.g., death of a spouse, divorce, losing a job, getting married.
- Daily Hassles - minor irritations, conflicts, and financial problems contributing to overall stress.
Psychological Stressors:
- Pressure - urgent demands or expectations from an external source, often related to time constraints and performance.
- Frustration - the blockage of a desired goal or need; reactions include persistence, aggression, escape/withdrawal (including various forms of self-harm), and apathy.
- Conflict - being pulled toward two or more desires or goals, only one of which can be attained, e.g., delicious food vs. calories, choosing between a costly but fuel-efficient car and an inexpensive gas guzzler.

Bodily Reactions to Stress - General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Alarm stage: Initial response to a stressor, involving activation of the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight response). Characterised by a sudden increase in physiological arousal, but also the sense of faintness upon the sympathetic system's activation.
Resistance stage: Continued response to the stressor, coping mechanisms are engaged.
Exhaustion stage: Extended stress response, resulting in negative health consequences when coping mechanisms become inadequate, exhaustion is reached (stress related diseases and death of organisms are common).

Effect of Stress on the Immune System

Immune system negatively impacted by stress.
Prolonged stress depletes resources, reducing immune function.
Psychoneuroimmunology studies the psychological factors (e.g. stress, emotions) that impact the immune system.
High stress levels are correlated with a greater risk of getting a cold.

Stress and Coronary Heart Disease

Stress reactions can increase unhealthy behaviors such as overeating, consuming alcohol/drugs, and avoiding exercise.

Stress and Cancer

Natural killer (NK) cells are responsible for destroying cancer cells.
Stress can suppress NK cell activity, increasing vulnerability to cancer. Stress does not cause cancer, but suppresses the natural killer cells that fight it.

Personality and Stress

Personality differences affect how stressors are perceived and coped with.
Type A personality is competitive, ambitious, time-conscious, and often hostile; individuals with this personality are at a higher risk for coronary heart disease.
Type B personality is relaxed and less driven compared to Type A; less likely to experience health problems.
Type C personality is often pleasant but tends to repress emotions, especially negative ones; associated with cancer.
Hardy personality (Type H) appears like Type A, but they are less prone to heart disease. They thrive on stress thanks to commitment, control, and challenge.
Optimists (expect positive outcomes) live longer, show enhanced immunity, and have higher levels of natural killer cells.
Pessimists (expect negative outcomes) are at higher risk of health issues and have a reduced capacity to take part in social activities.

Poverty, workplace stress, and cultural differences add to the effects of stress.
Burnout results from prolonged stress or frustration, leading to changes in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Acculturative stress arises from adapting to a new culture, with varying levels of stress depending on the method of acculturation. (Integration, Assimilation, Separation, Marginalisation).

Social support networks (family, friends, coworkers) provide comfort, aid, and can positively impact health.
- Individuals with supportive networks are less susceptible to illnesses and have better coping mechanisms.

Coping Strategies

Coping strategies are actions to manage stress.
Problem-focused coping aims to eliminate the stressor or mitigate its impact via direct action.
Emotion-focused coping changes the emotional response to the stressor.
Meditation - can help refocus attention and achieve a trance-like state of consciousness.
Religion - attending religious functions can provide emotional support for managing stressful events.

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts in social psychology related to stress and health. It covers the definitions and types of stressors, the impacts of stress on the body, and various coping strategies. Examine the relationship between stress, personality, and social factors in everyday life.