Thinking About Psychology:
The Science of Mind and
Behavior
Charles T. Blair-Broeker
Randal M. Ernst
Chapter 06
Stress and Health
Module 13
Effects of Stress
Module 13: Effects of Stress
Stress
Health Psychology
• A subfield of psychology that focuses on
how stress affects our well being and
our health
Stress
• The process by which we perceive and
respond to events that we appraise as
threatening or challenging
• Is a process of perceiving and
responding
• The events are called stressors.
• The response is called a stress reaction.
Stress
• Play “What is Stress?” (4:17) Segment
#35 from Psychology: The Human
Experience.
Module 13: Effects of Stress
Stress:
Responding to Stress
Responding to Stress
Responding to Stress
Responding to Stress
Hans Selye (1907-1982)
• Psychologist who researched recurring
responses to stress
• Discovered various chemicals caused
stress reactions in animals
• Developed the concept of the general
adaptation syndrome (GAS)
General Adaptation Syndrome
• Alarm Reaction – nervous system
activated in response to stressor
• Resistance – body responds with
physiological reactions to cope with the
stressor
• Exhaustion – body’s resistance to stress
is depleted (physical deterioration)
General Adaptation Syndrome
General Adaptation Syndrome
General Adaptation Syndrome
Hans Selye Interview
• Insert “Han’s Selye’s Stress Response
Studies” Video #39 from Worth’s
Digital Media Archive for Psychology.
• Instructions for importing the video file
can be found in the ‘Readme’ file on the
CD-ROM.
Module 13: Effects of Stress
Stress:
Stressful Events
Daily Stress
• Stress can be caused by:
– Typical demands of the day
– Living situations
– Economic difficulties
Stress on the Job
• Insert “Stress on the Job” Video #38
from Worth’s Digital Media Archive for
Psychology.
• Instructions for importing the video file
can be found in the ‘Readme’ file on the
CD-ROM.
• This clip is also in the Brain Series.
Stress on the Job
• Play “Emotions, Stress, and Health”
(10:59) Module #21 from The Brain:
Teaching Modules (2nd edition).
• Part of this clip is also on Worth’s
Digital Media Archive CD-ROM.
Burnout
• Physical, emotional, and mental
exhaustion brought on by persistent
stress
• Burnout can result in:
– Depression
– Decreased performance
– Cynicism
Significant Life Changes
• Stress can be the result of personal life
changes
– Death of a loved one
– Leaving home for college
• Can result in health problems
Catastrophes
• Large scale stress events (i.e.
earthquakes, floods, war, etc.
• Prolonged exposure can lead to physical
and psychological problems.
Module 13: Effects of Stress
Effects of Perceived
Control
Perceived Control
• The sense of control or influence one
has over stressful events in one’s life
• Most studies suggest the lower the
perceived control the larger the potential
for health-related problems
• Lower perceived control leads to a
lowered immunity to disease.
Control and Stress
• Play “Coping with Stress: Control and
Predictability” (2:49) Module #22 from
The Brain: Teaching Modules (2nd
edition).
Optimism
• A generally positive outlook on the
future
• Optimists have stronger immune
systems and recover faster from health
problems.
• Opposite of pessimism
Stress Hormones
• Hormones released in response to stress
• The body must work to rid the body of
the stress hormones.
• Pessimism and perceived lack of control
both produce more stress hormones.
Module 13: Effects of Stress
Stress and Disease:
Cancer and Stress
Stress-Cancer Connection
• Evidence for a connection is not
conclusive.
• Two conclusions:
– Stress does not create cancer cells.
– Stress affects the body’s malignancyfighting ability.
Cognition and Cancer
• Play “Cognition and the Immune
System: Mind/Body Interaction” (10:20)
Segment #4 from The Mind: Psychology
Teaching Modules (2nd edition).
Module 13: Effects of Stress
Stress and Disease:
Stress and Heart
Problems
Type A Individuals
• Individuals who are competitive, harddriving, impatient, verbally aggressive,
and anger-prone.
• More prone to heart attacks and other
stress related illnesses
Type B Individuals
• Individuals who are easygoing, laidback, and relaxed
The End