Stress and Psychology

1. Stress and Psychology … in contrast, but complementary to what we know about stress from a physiological perspective

2. Changing the normative focus of psychology (i.e., prevention vs. intervention) : • Validate the following: • a person can ask for help when needed • a helper can initiate an offer to help • Teach methods of coping (e.g., to establish self esteem) • Create ritualistic relationships (e.g., Young Life, Marriage Encounter, Weight Watchers, etc.) HSS 4543 - Stress Management

3. Learning to cope with stress... Stimulus Response “operant conditioning” Potential Behaviors Function of: arousal expectation HSS 4543 - Stress Management

4. Arousal: how engaged we become with the stimuli we encounter (mental / emotional) Expectations: previous successes related to the behavior (self efficacy) positive / negative reinforcement (including feedback from others) encouragement to model specific behaviors This paradigm is referred to as “Social Learning” (Albert Bandura) HSS 4543 - Stress Management

5. An additional thought related to expectations... Ideal Real Self Social Self Self HSS 4543 - Stress Management

6. Tendency... to do what “feels” best at the moment (intuitive / RB) and in ways that worked before (analytical / LB) HSS 4543 - Stress Management

7. Behavior Modification One needs to replace a negative response (real or perceived) by rewarding a better response; otherwise, there is a decreased likelihood that change will occur. HSS 4543 - Stress Management

8. Other theories add to our basic understanding of human behavior: • Sigmund Freud • Carl Jung • Elisabeth Kubler-Ross • Viktor Frankl • Wayne Dyer • Leo Buscaglia • Abraham Maslow HSS 4543 - Stress Management

9. Sigmund Freud • humans maintain a level of (instinctual) tension that arises from both internal sources (instinctual impulses) and external sources which attack our ego or identity • the ego copes with stress through the use of a host of defense mechanisms: denial, repression, projection, rationalization, displacement, and humor HSS 4543 - Stress Management

10. Carl Jung • human personality depends on a process of self-discovery and realization (individuation) • individuation can reduce psychic tension by building a bridge of understanding between the conscious and unconscious minds HSS 4543 - Stress Management

11. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross • stress can be aroused through the death of unmet expectations • arousal leads to stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance • resolution of emotional baggage leads to the final stage (i.e., acceptance) and inner peace HSS 4543 - Stress Management

12. Viktor Frankl • complete life experience includes pain and suffering • searching for the meaning of the suffering will help to resolve issues of emotional stress • focusing on something positive helps to facilitate that search (logotherapy) HSS 4543 - Stress Management

13. Wayne Dyer • guilt and worry are associated with virtually every stressor (erroneous zones) • guilt is a manifestation of self-anger • worry is a manifestation of fear HSS 4543 - Stress Management

14. Abraham Maslow • personality traits are a reflection of inner resources that help people cope with stress and achieve psychological health • “self-actualization” suggests that humans operate on a hierarchy of needs which ultimately influence our behaviors HSS 4543 - Stress Management

15. 5. Self-actualization 4. Needs for self-esteem 2. Safety needs 3. Belongingness and love 1. Physiological needs Hierarchy of Needs HSS 4543 - Stress Management

16. Leo Buscaglia • self love is not innate, but rather a response to a learned group of stimuli and behaviors • self love leads to and grows from the process of self-discovery and acceptance • Video: “The Politics of Love” HSS 4543 - Stress Management

17. Emergency Psychological First Aid: When coping with a crisis: 1. Stay optimistic in the face of the crisis. 2. Evaluate honestly your strengths and weaknesses. 3. Keep faith in yourself, your thoughts and your actions. 4. Do something as an attempt to initiate change. 5. Take one step at a time. 6. Enlist help whenever possible. HSS 4543 - Stress Management