Conflict, Stress, and Coping

1. CHAPTER16 Conflict, Stress, and Coping Stress and conflict are part of everyday life. Those who can use stress as a motivator can achieve greater things. EXIT

2. Click on a term for more information. Frustration Anxiety Stress Conflict EXIT

3. Frustration Frustration may be defined as the emotion produced when we are blocked from reaching our goals. Most frustrations are minor (busy signals, traffic slowdowns, late arrivals, etc.). Some can be serious, as when airline flights are cancelled or talents or abilities don’t measure up to expectations. Click on a term for more information. Stress Anxiety Conflict EXIT

4. Conflict Conflict arises when a person needs to decide between two alternatives. Types of conflict: Approach - Approach Approach - Avoidance Avoidance - Avoidance Double Approach - Avoidance EXIT

5. Approach-Approach The approach - approach conflict is not all bad. You have to decide between two attractive choices. The person is attracted to two goals. EXIT

6. Approach - Avoidance The approach - avoidance conflict can be distressing. The person is attracted to one goal but it comes with a negative aspect. EXIT

7. Avoidance - Avoidance The avoidance - avoidance conflict presents two undesirable goals. The person has to choose between them. EXIT

8. Double Approach - Avoidance The double approach - avoidance conflict is the most common. Click on a term for more information. The person has two goals, each has both good and bad characteristics. Frustration Stress Anxiety EXIT

9. Anxiety Anxiety is a feeling of hopelessness, a feeling of fear or fright. It often follows feelings of frustration and conflict. Anxiety attacks can produce physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, chest pain, breathlessness or headache. Click on a term for more information. Frustration Stress Conflict EXIT

10. Stress Stress is defined as the physical pressure and strain that result from change. When stress is good and leads to something desirable such as studying for a big exam and then receiving a good grade on the exam, it is called eustress. When the stress has negative effects such as confusion, an inability to make decisions, and illness, it is called distress. EXIT

11. Fight or Flight Sequence of Steps in the Fight or Flight Behaviors 1. The brain appraises a situation as threatening and dangerous. 2. The lower brain structure secretes a stress hormone. 3. The stress hormone signals the adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline. 4. This causes the muscles to tense, the heart to beat faster, and the liver to send out sugar to be used in the muscles. EXIT

12. The General Adaptation Syndrome Defined as a series of stages the body goes through when exposed to stressful situations. 1. The alarm stage is the initial stage where the body prepares for attack—either psychological or physical. 2. The second stage is called the stage of resistance. The body uses up a great amount of energy to prepare for the stressor. Exhaustion Alarm Resistance 3. The third stage is exhaustion. It is marked by body exhaustion and health problems. EXIT

13. Some Psychological Stressors for High School Students Life Event Stress Points Divorce of parents 98 Expulsion from school 79 Major injury or illness 77 Getting a job 62 Major illness of close friend 56 Peer difficulties 45 Moving away 41 Christmas 30 Vacation 25 Traffic ticket 22 Click on a term for more information. Frustration EXIT Conflict Anxiety

14. Coping with Stress Issue of Control People deal better with stress if they have some degree of control in a stressful situation. Self-Concept If people don’t feel confident (have a positive self-concept), they will become anxious and withdrawn. Self-Esteem Worthwhile feelings people have. If we are expected to meet impossible standards, we often stop trying at all. EXIT

15. Psychological Defense Mechanisms Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions) that keep people psychologically stable. Examples include: Click on a term to have it defined. Repression Denial Displacement Reaction Formation Intellectualization Identification with the Aggressor Regression Rationalization Projection Sublimation EXIT

16. Psychological Defense Mechanisms Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions) that keep people psychologically stable. Examples include: Click on a term to have it defined. Repression Denial Displacement Reaction Formation Intellectualization Identification with the Aggressor Regression Rationalization Projection Sublimation Pushing painful material out of consciousness EXIT

17. Psychological Defense Mechanisms Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions) that keep people psychologically stable. Examples include: Click on a term to have it defined. Repression Denial Displacement Reaction Formation Intellectualization Identification with the Aggressor Regression Rationalization Projection Sublimation Refusing to admit a problem exists EXIT

18. Psychological Defense Mechanisms Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions) that keep people psychologically stable. Examples include: Click on a term to have it defined. Repression Denial Displacement Reaction Formation Intellectualization Identification with the Aggressor Regression Rationalization Projection Sublimation Venting feelings on something not related to the frustration EXIT

19. Psychological Defense Mechanisms Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions) that keep people psychologically stable. Examples include: Click on a term to have it defined. Repression Denial Displacement Reaction Formation Intellectualization Identification with the Aggressor Regression Rationalization Projection Sublimation Expressing the opposite of what one feels EXIT

20. Psychological Defense Mechanisms Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions) that keep people psychologically stable. Examples include: Click on a term to have it defined. Repression Denial Displacement Reaction Formation Intellectualization Identification with the Aggressor Regression Rationalization Projection Sublimation Taking all feelings out of a frustrating situation EXIT

21. Psychological Defense Mechanisms Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions) that keep people psychologically stable. Examples include: Click on a term to have it defined. Repression Denial Displacement Reaction Formation Intellectualization Identification with the Aggressor Regression Rationalization Projection Sublimation Taking on a punishing person’s characteristics EXIT

22. Psychological Defense Mechanisms Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions) that keep people psychologically stable. Examples include: Click on a term to have it defined. Repression Denial Displacement Reaction Formation Intellectualization Identification with the Aggressor Regression Rationalization Projection Sublimation Moving backward and acting as a helpless child EXIT

23. Psychological Defense Mechanisms Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions) that keep people psychologically stable. Examples include: Click on a term to have it defined. Repression Denial Displacement Reaction Formation Intellectualization Identification with the Aggressor Regression Rationalization Projection Sublimation Explaining a situation to avoid responsibility EXIT

24. Psychological Defense Mechanisms Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions) that keep people psychologically stable. Examples include: Click on a term to have it defined. Repression Denial Displacement Reaction Formation Intellectualization Identification with the Aggressor Regression Rationalization Projection Sublimation Assigning to others our own thoughts and feelings EXIT

25. Psychological Defense Mechanisms Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions) that keep people psychologically stable. Examples include: Click on a term to have it defined. Repression Denial Displacement Reaction Formation Intellectualization Identification with the Aggressor Regression Rationalization Projection Sublimation Channeling emotional energy into constructive or creative activity EXIT

26. Accept yourself. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Keep a sense of humor. Take control of your life as much as possible. Appreciate life. Take credit for successes and responsibility for failures. Learn from both. Develop a sense of independence. Healthy Characteristics EXIT

27. Substance Abuse Substance abuse • occurs when the use of drugs interferes with daily life. Substance dependence • occurs when the person has symptoms when using the drug. • occurs when the person uses more and more drugs. • occurs when the person spends large amounts of time in drug use. EXIT

28. Alcoholism Chemical effects: alcohol is a depressant (too much will lead to unconsciousness). Absorption takes 2-6 hours, depending on weight, amount, food intake, etc. Physical effects: • heavy alcohol intake affects the liver and brain cells • provides non-nutritional calories • can lead to alcohol withdrawal delirium and hallucinations • synergistic effect increases dangers of alcohol and barbiturates when taken together EXIT

29. Causes of Alcoholism • No one knows for sure, but factors that may be responsible include • heredity • environment • genetic defects • social training EXIT

30. Indicators of Alcoholism • Frequent drinking binges. Drunkenness more than once a week. • A steady increase in the amount of alcohol drunk. • Drinking in the morning. • Being drunk at school or at work. • Blackouts or not remembering events when drunk. • Drinking when confronting a crisis. EXIT

31. Marijuana • Marijuana distorts and confuses the perception of the world. • The short-term memory system is directly affected. Nicotine • Nicotine is found in tobacco products. It increases blood pressure and heart rate. It also leads to higher risks of heart disease and lung disease. EXIT

32. Amphetamines • “Uppers” create a sense of excitement, freedom, and energy. • People build tolerance for the drug. • Continued usage leads to strange images, convulsions, and paranoia. Cocaine • Cocaine, unlike alcohol, is a stimulant. • Crack is a form of purified cocaine. EXIT

33. Opiates • Opiates are sedatives that depress the brain. • They create a physical dependence. LSD • LSD produces hallucinations and marked changes in behavior. • Steroids are used to increase body mass and muscular size. • Short-term use can cause people to lose control of emotions. • Long-term use can cause serious physical problems including heart trouble and infertility. Steroids EXIT

34. Summary of Main Topics Covered Frustration Conflict Anxiety { Fight vs. Flight General Adaptation Syndrome Psychological Stressors Stress { Coping with Stress Psychological Defense Mechanisms Healthy Characteristics { Alcohol, Marijuana, Nicotine, Amphetamines, Cocaine, Opiates, LSD, Steroids Substance Abuse EXIT