18.12 Chapter 12: Stress and Health

show what you know

1. Stress
2. d. illness
3. b. Acculturative stress
4. Answers will vary, but can be based on the following definitions. Daily hassles are the minor problems or irritants we deal with on a regular basis (for example, heavy traffic, financial worries, messy roommates). Uplifts are positive experiences that have the potential to make us happy (for example, a humorous text message, small gift).

1. general adaptation syndrome (GAS)
2. a. alarm stage
3. c. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal system
4. The general adaptation syndrome (GAS) suggests that the body passes through three stages. The first is the alarm stage, or initial response to a threatening situation. This stage includes an increase in arousal, during which the body prepares to deal with a threat. Next is the resistance stage, during which the body maintains a high level of arousal as it deals with a threatening situation; at this point, there is a decreased response to new stress. During the resistance stage, some people start to show signs of diseases of adaptation. Finally, there is the exhaustion stage. During this phase, the body’s resources become depleted, resulting in vulnerability to illnesses, physical exhaustion, and even death.

1. self-medication hypothesis
2. c. cortisol
3. When the body is expending its resources to deal with an ongoing stressor, the immune system is less powerful, and the work of the lymphocytes is compromised. During times of stress, people tend to sleep poorly, eat erratically, and may increase their drug and alcohol use, along with other poor behavioral choices. These tendencies can lead to health problems.

1. approach–approach
2. d. Problem-focused coping
3. b. Type B personality.
4. Answers may vary. Stress management incorporates tools to lower the impact of possible stressors. Exercise, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, and social support all have positive physical and psychological effects on the response to stressors. In addition, looking out for the well-being of others by caring and giving of yourself is an effective way to reduce the impact of stress.

1. c. Stressors
2. a. eustress.
3. d. life-changing events
4. b. sympathetic nervous system
5. a. parasympathetic nervous system
6. c. exhaustion stage
7. d. sympathetic nervous systems
8. a. the immune system
9. b. endorphins
10. d. progressive muscle relaxation
11. c. stressors are related to health problems.
12. b. Coping
13. d. avoidance–avoidance conflict.
14. a. Type A personality
15. b. hardiness.
16. Answers will vary, but can be based on the following explanation. There are various ways people respond to acculturative stress. Some try to assimilate into the culture, letting go of old ways and adopting those of the new culture. Another approach is to cling to one’s roots and remain separated from the new culture. Such an approach can be very problematic if the new culture does not support this type of separation and requires assimilation. A combination of these two approaches is integration, or holding on to some elements of the old culture, but also adopting aspects of the new one.
17. Answers will vary, but can be based on the following definitions. Daily hassles are the minor problems or irritants we deal with on a regular basis. Life-changing events are occurrences that require a life adjustment (for example, marriage, change in school status). During times of stress, people tend to sleep poorly, eat erratically, and may increase their drug and alcohol use, along with other poor behavioral choices. These tendencies can lead to health problems. Exercise, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, and social support all have positive physical and psychological effects on the response to stressors.
18. Answers will vary, but can be based on the following information. Reactions associated with the fight-or-flight response include increased pulse, breathing rate, and mental alertness. A coordinated effort of the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system, the fight-or-flight reaction primes the body to respond to danger, either by escaping or confronting the threat head-on.
19. Answers will vary, but can be based on the following definitions. One major source of stress is conflict, which can be defined as the discomfort felt when making tough choices. Often two choices presented are both attractive to you (approach–approach conflict); at times a choice or situation has favorable and unfavorable characteristics (approach–avoidance conflict); and at other times the two alternatives are both unattractive (avoidance–avoidance conflict).
20. Answers will vary, but can be based on the following definitions. Someone with an internal locus of control generally feel as if she is in control of life and its circumstances; she probably believe it is important to take charge and make changes when problems occur. A person with an external locus of control generally feel as if chance, luck, or fate is responsible for her circumstances; there is no need to try to change things or make them better. Any decisions related to healthy choices can be influenced by locus of control.