Search the courses, subjects, tracks, games and features, or jump straight to a page.
Learn it your way
A short class with Sarah and her students. The other ways are under More.
Sign up free to listen. Transcripts are free to read.
Today, we're going to start with Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome, which describes the body's response to stress in three stages. Who can tell me the first stage?
Is it the alarm reaction?
That's correct! The alarm reaction is our body's immediate response to a stressor, often called the fight-or-flight response. Can anyone explain what happens in this stage?
Our body releases hormones like adrenaline, right?
Exactly! Adrenaline prepares us to either fight or escape. Now, what comes after the alarm reaction?
The resistance stage, where we adapt to the stress?
Yes! In the resistance stage, the body tries to cope with the stress. Lastly, what do you think the exhaustion stage entails?
Is that when our resources run out and we feel burnt out?
Exactly! Excellent job, everyone! So, we have the three stages: Alarm Reaction, Resistance, and Exhaustion. Remember this with the acronym A-R-E.
Now, let's talk about Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model. What does this model emphasize in the context of stress?
It focuses on how we think about the stressor, right?
Correct! The model involves cognitive appraisal. Can someone explain the two types of appraisal they suggested?
The primary appraisal assesses if the stressor is a threat, challenge, or harmless, while the secondary appraisal evaluates our coping resources.
Exactly right! So what do we do when we're faced with a stressor according to this model?
We first decide if it’s a threat and then figure out how to cope!
Perfect! Remembering this process helps us understand our stress responses better.
Next, let’s discuss Cannon’s fight or flight response. What is this theory about?
It describes how our body reacts physically to stress.
Correct! What physiological changes do we see during this response?
Increased heart rate and adrenaline release.
Exactly! These changes prepare us to either confront the threat or escape from it. How does understanding this help in managing stress?
Knowing how our bodies react can help us find ways to calm ourselves down.
Great insight! By understanding these responses, we can develop better stress management techniques.
A three-step process (Alarm Reaction, Resistance, Exhaustion) describing the physiological response to stress.
A model highlighting cognitive appraisal processes in stress evaluation and coping strategies.
A physical response to danger characterized by adrenaline release and heightened readiness for action.
When faced with an impending deadline, a student may experience increased heart rate and focus, reflecting Selye's Alarm Reaction.
A worker receiving criticism at work might first assess the situation (primary appraisal) to determine if it's a major threat before deciding how to respond (secondary appraisal).
In times of stress, A-R-E we say, Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion — the body's way.
Imagine a brave knight faced with a dragon. The alarm rings, he prepares to fight, but if the battle lasts long, exhaustion might take flight!
Remember Selye's GAS as A-R-E: Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion.
G.A.S = General Adaptation Syndrome: Remember 'G.A.S' when recalling the stress stages.
Term
What are the three stages of Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome?
Click to flip
Term
What is primary appraisal?
Click to flip
Term
What does the fight or flight response entail?
Click to flip
A three-stage response (Alarm Reaction, Resistance, Exhaustion) to stress proposed by Hans Selye.
A model by Lazarus and Folkman focusing on cognitive appraisal of stressors and evaluation of coping resources.
A physiological reaction described by Cannon that prepares the body to confront or escape a threat.
This section discusses various theories that explain how stress affects individuals and their responses to stressors.
In this section, we examine several key theories of stress, including Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome, Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model, and Cannon's Fight or Flight Response. These theories provide insight into the physiological and psychological responses to stress, highlighting why individuals may respond differently to similar stressors.
Understanding how stress works is essential in the field of stress management and psychological well-being. There are several prominent theories that explain the mechanisms behind stress and why different individuals may respond uniquely to stressors.
Hans Selye, a pioneer in stress research, introduced the General Adaptation Syndrome, which outlines a three-stage response to stress:
According to Lazarus and Folkman, stress is defined by the individual's cognitive appraisal of a situation:
Walter Cannon's concept of the fight-or-flight response details the physiological changes that occur when confronted with a stressor. The body's immediate reaction involves the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which prepare an individual to either confront (fight) or escape (flight) from the danger.
These theories underline the importance of understanding not just what stresses us but also how our bodies and minds react, providing a framework for developing effective stress management strategies.