Lesson 7: Alternative Factors in the Stress Response

Sunday, 15 July 2012

Lesson 6 Psychological Determinants of the Stress Response

EXAM QUESTION

Sunday, 15 July 2012

Model Response

Sunday, 15 July 2012

Social, Cultural & Environmental Factors of the Stress Response

Of the theories we have looked at so far, neither Selye’s GAS or Lazarus’

Transactional theories have accounted for social, cultural or environmental factors that contribute to the stress response.

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Consider the scenarios in the text book on p 456, clearly ones cultural background

has a huge influence on the level of stress a person feels given a common stressor

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Quick ActivityCreate your own scenario that illustrates

how social, cultural or environmental factors changes the level of stress felt by

the individual

Some examples could include:*receiving low school grades

*marrying some one of a different religion/cultural background

*being a bikini model*getting a tattoo

10 minutes :)

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Allostasis

Sunday, 15 July 2012

Remember way back in Semester 1 when we looked at homeostasis???Our body’s maintenance of balance in day-to-day automatic functions.

Well just to confused you there is also a concept known as allostasis which is our bodies ability to remain flexible (variable) to allow us to adapt to future challenges.

CONFUSED???? Its ok if you are because it super confusing to get your head around!

Homeostasis is there to ensure we remain stable in function whereas allostasis is there to ensure we can still manage when life stressors jolt us into instability!

Sunday, 15 July 2012

Homeostasis Vs Allostasis

Homeostasis aims to maintain a ‘set point’ of bodily functions

Allostasis aims to maintain a ‘set point’ in changing environments

e.g. You are sitting in class quietly, not alarmed or nervous then you hear the teacher saying we have a pop quiz and all of a sudden your heart

starts beating and you being to sweat - allostasis body responding to environment

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Allostasis allows us homeostasis (stability) when we are in flight or fight mode.

e.g. I am studying full time at uni whilst working 30 hours a week when my partner breaks up with me. I am extremely upset and am freaking out about how to pay rent without their input. Due to my high state of arousal, allostasis is maintaining my ability to function (work and study) until I can find a house mate to elevate my financial concerns and return to homeostasis.

Sunday, 15 July 2012

Allostatic loadRefers to the number of stressors that a

person may experience, leading to recurrent arousal

Frequent activation of the flight-fight response has a cumulative effect that can result in long term damage to the body

e.g. Penny is a Year 12 student, she has a usual load of 5 subjects which is stressful enough, however she has just been informed to gain her scholarship she needs an average of 90% across her subjects. This pressure

adds to her allostatic load

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Allostatic Overload

As the name suggests, too

many new stressors, or being unable to adapt to

the new stressors

results in an inability to

‘cope’

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Essential Learning Activities

Activity 1:Review Questions1) Using your own words distinguish between homeostasis and allostasis. Provide an example.2) Describe what is meant by allostatic load.3) Create a list of your allostatic load. Highlight points that could lead to allostatic overload.

Activity 2:Go to the VCAA website and search through past psychology exams for any questions relating to allostasis. a) What type of questions are common?b) Which content that we have already studied is similar to allostasis. How can you distinguish between these?c) Write a question that you think may appear on this years exam.

Sunday, 15 July 2012