Psychology: Stress: Physiological Aspects

What did Hans Selye propose?

Han Selye stated that the response to psychological/physical stressors are the same for humans and animals. This is the General Adaptation Syndrome. This could lead to harmful bodily changes.

Transactional Model of Stress: Stress is caused by the misfit of PERCIEVED DEMANDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT and our PERCEIVED ABILITY TO COPE with these demands.

-Stress depends on perception

-Any stimulus producing the stress responce is a stressor.

Overview of stress response?

TWO WAYS the body responds to stress, both involve the ADRENAL GLAND. They contain two sections: the MEDULLA and ADRENAL CORTEX. In stressful situations the HYPOTHALMUS releases:

1)THE HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-ADRENAL CORTEX PATHWAY (HPAC)

-Controlers: hypothalamus and pituitary gland

-Pituitary: controls the number of glands released into blood

-Pituitary releases ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC HORMONE (ACTH)

-The ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC HORMONE travels to adrenal cortex

-Stimulating the release of CORTOCOSTEROIDS into blood

The HYPOTHALAMIC PITUITARY ADRENAL CORTEX pathway is activated when HIGHER BRAIN CENTRES detect stress

2)THE HYPOTHALAMIC AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM ADRENAL MEDULLA PATHWAY (HYPOTHALAMIC ANS MEDULLA)

-The AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM: a netword of neve pathways from brain stem centre to body organs

--ANS controlled by HIGHER BRAIN CENTRE

--Maintains normal bodily functions in responce to demand

Divisions of Autonomic Nervous System?

1)SYMPATHETIC: stimulates bodily arousal (e.g high blood pressure)

--> release of ADRENALINE AND NORADRENALINE into the blood

2)PARASYMPATHETIC: slows down heart/blood rates, bodily relaxation

What was CANONS theory?

Our stress responces are best suited for our ancestors who lived in very different environments from those of modern day. HIGHER BRAIN CENTRE allowed them to adapt to this life: FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE.