Chapter 31. Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome

Learning Objectives

general adaptation syndrome (GAS)

according to Selye, the body’s three-stage adaptive response to stress

stress

the body’s response to a threat or challenge

stressor

event or object that is the source of stress; any threat or challenge to a person

Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome

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Three reactions to stress. same cartoon-like character in each of three poses, with each pose labeled: a feeling labeled Alarm, a feeling labeled Resistance, and a feeling labeled Exhaustion

Learning Objectives:

Name the three stages of the body’s reaction to stress, called the general adaptation system.

Describe a person’s ability to cope with each of the body’s three stress-related stages.

Review

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Review

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Photo of Hans Selye — Courtesy Library and Archives Canada, PA-11667

1. Researcher Hans Selye identified the complex sequence of reactions that our body goes through as we experience a stressful event. He called this sequence the general adaptation syndrome.

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Photo of single individual at scene of natural disaster; individual appears to be in shock — AFP/Getty Images

2. First, we go into a state of shock (the alarm reaction).

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Photo of difficult rescue operation during natural disaster — JUN DUMAGUING/AP Images

3. Then, the body mobilizes its resources to cope with the stress (the resistance phase).

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Photo of emergency worker obviously collapsed with fatigue during a disaster — AFP/Getty Images

4. But if the stressor continues, those resources will be used up, and eventually the body's resistance will collapse (the exhaustion phase).

Practice: Selye’s General Adaption Syndrome

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Practice: Selye’s General Adaption Syndrome

Play the animation to watch the three stages of Selye’s general adaptation syndrome.

Photo credits: E+/Getty Images, Rubberball Productions/Getty Images, Getty Images News/Getty Images.

Quiz 1

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Quiz 1

Drag the slider to identify the approximate point in the sequence at which the body's ability to deal with a stressful event is greatest. When the slider has been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

At this point, the body's resources have not been fully mobilized. Try moving the slider forward to the middle of the resistance phase.

By the middle of the resistance phase, the body is in the best position to handle external challenges. Select the NEXT button and move to Quiz 2.

By this point, the body's resources are becoming depleted on the way to exhaustion. Try moving the slider backward to the middle of the resistance phase.

asset/activities/selye_syndrome/video/video1.mp4

Photo credits: E+/Getty Images, Rubberball Productions/Getty Images, Getty Images News/Getty Images.

Quiz 2

video_quiz_1

Quiz 2

In addition to the exhaustion phase, there is one other time in the sequence when we are not well equipped to deal with external challenges. Drag the slider to identify the approximate spot early in the sequence at which our ability to cope with stressful events is very low. When the slider has been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

At this point, the body's resources have not yet been minimized by the shock. Try moving the slider forward.

In the middle of the alarm reaction, the body is in a very weak position to handle external challenges. Select the NEXT button and move to the Conclusion.

By this stage, the body's resources are already rising due to the release of stress hormones. Try moving the slider backward.

Our ability to cope with events is indeed dropping as our body's resources are becoming exhausted, but the question asks you to indicate another low point early in the sequence. Try again.

asset/activities/selye_syndrome/video/video1.mp4

Photo credits: E+/Getty Images, Rubberball Productions/Getty Images, Getty Images News/Getty Images.

Conclusion

Psychology’s Subfields

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Congratulations!

You have completed the activity Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome