160 likes | 765 Views
What Is Stress?. Chapter 1. Chapter Overview. Important researchers of stress and their contributions Types of stress Stress reactivity: general adaptation syndrome Defining stress. Before we begin, ask yourself…. What stresses you out? How do you deal with stress?.
E N D
What Is Stress? Chapter 1
Chapter Overview • Important researchers of stress and their contributions • Types of stress • Stress reactivity: general adaptation syndrome • Defining stress
Before we begin, ask yourself… • What stresses you out? • How do you deal with stress?
Before we formally define stress, let’s take a look at some influential researchers and how they contributed to our knowledge of stress.
Walter Cannon • First to describe the effects of acute stress • Termed this stress reaction as the fight-or-flight response • A primitive response that quickly increases heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol
Hans Selye • Studied the effects of long-term (chronic) stress • Summarized his findings by proposing a three-phase process called the general adaptation syndrome • alarm reaction • stage of resistance • stage of exhaustion
Other Influential Researchers • Simeons -- related evolution to psychosomatic disease (twentieth century concept) • Wolff, LeShan, Engel -- studied illness, disease, and stress • Friedman & Rosenman -- identified relationship between stress and coronary heart disease • Simonton -- imagery and cancer therapy
Techniques and concepts have developed over the years, including: • Relaxation response (Benson) • Autogenic training (Schultz, Luthe) • Progressive muscular relaxation, bracing, imagery (Jacobson) • Biofeedback (Budzynski)
Stress Theory • Several theories explain the causes of stress: • Life events theory: situation requires more resources than are available • Hardiness theory: one’s attitude toward the events determines stress • Social support theory: insufficient social support for responding to event
The Stressor • Stressor (stimulus) • biological • psychological • sociological • philosophical • Stress reactivity (fight-or-flight response) • All effects are based on duration and degree of one’s physiological reaction • There may be gender differences
Definition of Stress • Mason described the different uses of the word stress: • stimulus • response • whole spectrum of interacting factors (Lazarus) • stimulus-response interaction
Is the glass half full or half empty? • A situation can be stressful or not -- it all depends on your perception of the event • A response to stress can be effective or not -- it depends on your resources and coping strategies • Refer to table 1.2
Goals for Stress Management • Do not eliminate all stress • Use as a motivator for peak performance • Stress can be useful, stimulating, and welcome • Limit harmful effects