PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY

PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Explanation of behaviour that refer to the body systems – cells, muscles, blood, hormones and the

nervous system.

Miranda

Psychology

Physiological Psychology

STRESS

Section 1

Stress as a bodily response

Section 2

Sources of stress

Section 3

Critical Issues: Stress management

What is stress?

Pressures, demands (stressors),exert force on the body, stress isthe body’s response to this.

A stress response is an innate,defensive and adaptive reaction

Stress levels also depend onwhether the person feels that theycan cope with demands placed onthem or not

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Stress Definition

Stress is a state of psychological and physical tension produced when an individual perceives that they are unable to cope with the demands imposed on them by a stressor.

The consequent state of tension can be adaptive (eustress) or maladaptive (distress)

Effects of stress

STRESSORS

Family Relations

Disagreements

Money Worries

Need to Succeed

Exams

Friends

Decisions

New Situations

FLIGHT

FIGHT

RETURN TO NORMAL

COPING

COPING STRATEGIES

RELAXATION

NOT COPING

POSSIBLE DISEASE OR MENTAL ILLNESS

EXHAUSTION

POOR DIET

NO EXERCISE

NEGATIVE THOUGHT

IRRITABILITY

The Biology Of StressPHYSIOLOGICAL AROUSAL :

Walter Cannon(1932) The response to stress

Stress and the nervous system

Neurons

Neurotransmitters

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Automatically responds to stressor

Sympathetic Parasympathetic

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

GLANDS

HORMONES

Contrasting Communication Systems

Nervous Endocrine

Consists of nerve cells

Acts by transmitting nerve impulses

Acts rapidly

Direct control

Specified localised effects of neurotransmitters

Short lived effects

Consists of ductless glands

Acts by releasing hormones

Acts slowly

Indirect control

Hormones spread around body

Hormones remain in blood for some time

Homeostasis

The process of maintaining a reasonable constant internal environment in the body.

98.6 F or

37 ºC

Work together to control stress response

SAM

Sympathetic Adrenal Medullary System

HPA

-Hypothalamic

-Pituitary

-Adrenal - axis

Effects of SAM activity

• Heightened activity of SAM prepares us for Fight or Flight.

Increase in energyIncreased alertnessIncreased blood flow to the musclesIncreased heart and respiration rateReduced activity in digestive systemIncreased release of clotting factors in the bloodAdrenaline and Noradrenaline increase the output

of the heart ,which can cause increase in Blood Pressure.

Effects of HPA activity

+ Cortisol is important for coping with long term stress,it maintains a steady supply of fuel.

+Glucocorticoids conserve glucos for neural tissues, elevate or stabilise blood glucose levels,mobilise protein reserves, conserve salts and water.

+Cortisol helps reverse bodies initial stress responses and helps body to revert to a stable state.

Effects of HPA activity

- The blood has elevated levels of glucose (for energy) and hormones (ACTH and adrenaline) so the body continues to use its resources fast.

- The anti inflammatory action of glucocorticoids slows wound healing

- Glucocorticoids suppress the immune system which protects the body against viruses and bacteria.(so we are more likely to pick up infection.)

General Adaptation Syndrome

G . A . S

Hans Selye(1936) - ‘STRESS’ research PIONEER

Rats showed same symptoms in response to all of

Stimuli.

General state of ‘stress’

STAGE 1 . ALARM:

STAGE 2. RESISTANCE

STAGE 3. EXHAUSTION

Evaluation of GAS

+ Pioneering research into stress+ Alerted medicine to the importance of stress in disease- Not much attention paid to SAM , the relationship

between SAM and HPA not fully appreciated- Stress does not always produce the same physiological

patterns. Mason (1975)different patterns of adrenaline/noradrenaline and cortisol for different stressors.

- Criticised for use of non human animals- Suggestion that people respond in a passive way to

stress. Mason.

How does stress cause physical illness?

DIRECTLY INDIRECTLY

SUPPRESSING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Leucocytes (white blood cells)

Lymphocytes (B Cells or T Cells)

Anti bodies

Natural killer cells

Endorphins

CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS

Hypertension

CHD

Strokes

Changes in health practices that will increase risk of illness

Smoking

Drinking

Drugs

Sleeplessness

Exercise less

What sorts of illness does stress cause?

Ulcers

Brady

CHD

Friedman & Rosenman

Hypertension

Cobb & Rose

Monkey

Business Man

Air Traffic Controller

Sources of Stress

Lesson objectives:

Identifying sources of stress

Theory-Assessing own stress levels using SRRS, a way of identifying a link with life events, sources of stress and illness.

Evidence for SRRS

Evaluating this approach

Checking knowledge.

SOURCES OF STRESS

Transactional Model Cox (1978)

LIFE EVENTS

as stressors

Social Readjustment Rating Scale

Holmes and Rahe

Key Study : Rahe et al

stress of life events

Correlationstress related illness

De Longis et al

DAILY HASSLES & UPLIFTS

e.g. rising prices

home maintenance

crime

physical appearance (bad hair day?)

weight

recreation

relations with friends / family

good weather

job promotion

Work Place Stress

Pressures of work Work environment

Key Study : Marmot et al

‘Workplace Stressors’

BURNOUT

NOISE (Glass et al)

Predictability Controllability

Higher Stress?

Control Lack of Control

Langer and Rodin

‘Old Peoples Homes’

Individual DifferencesCan be innate or learned

Weg

Anderson

Cooper et al

Bailey & Dua

Personality – Friedman & Rosenman

Gender

Culture

Hardiness - KobasaTaylorFranken HouserHastrup et alOgdenGyton & Hall

STRESS !

Critical Issue

STRESS MANAGEMENT

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Physiological Approaches Psychological Approaches

Bio feedback Cognitive therapies

.Stress inoculation

training

Anti Anxiety Drugs .Hardiness training

Beta Blockers

Benzodiazepines Social Support

MULTIDIMENTIONAL COPING INVENTORY

Coping strategies that different people use to handle

stressful situation

• Task orientated strategy• Emotional orientated strategy• Avoidance orientated strategy