Positive Psychology Paper

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Essential Elements for Effectiveness

Seventh Edition

Chapter 5

Understanding Stress

Learning Objectives

5.1 Differentiate between positive and negative stress.

5.2 Understand the connections between stress and illness.

5.3 Describe the effects of stress on physical, psychological, and occupational functioning.

5.4 Recognize the causes and effects of the body’s fight or flight response.

5.5 Understand the role of the placebo effect in stress and illness.

5.6 Describe how the connection between the mind and body can affect the immune system and healing.

The Definition of Stress (1 of 2)

Learning Objective 5.1 Differentiate between positive and negative stress.

Stress

Anything that requires an adaptive response on the part of the organism

An inescapable part of modern life

Eustress vs. Distress

Need an optimal level to perform at our best

The Definition of Stress (2 of 2)

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Many tasks are best performed with moderate levels of arousal

Stress mastery

Under-arousal leads to boredom

Over-arousal makes us experience anxiety

Figure 5.1

For long image description, see slide 27, Appendix A

Stress and Illness

Learning Objective 5.2 Understand the connections between stress and illness.

Can Stress Make You Sick?

Stress affects emotional well-being and can lead to physical illness

Holmes and Rahe research on life changes

Able to predict who would get ill and who would remain healthy

Holmes-Rahe Life Readjustment Scale

Does not account for individual differences in coping

Negative Effects of Stress (1 of 3)

Learning Objective 5.3 Describe the effects of stress on physical, psychological, and occupational functioning.

Physical Consequences

Not a simple or straightforward relationship

Weakens immune system, especially in those already vulnerable

Release of glucocorticoids

Can create psychosomatic problems

From 75 to 90 percent of all visits to doctor are for stress-related disorders

Negative Effects of Stress (2 of 3)

Psychological Consequences

Key factor in development of emotional and behavioral problems

According to World Health Organization, depression is number one cause of disability worldwide

Chronic stress can create long term brain changes

Negative Effects of Stress (3 of 3)

Consequences in the Workplace

Affects ability to concentrate

Contributes to lowered productivity and frequency of mistakes

Increased likelihood to miss work due to emotional and physical illness

Financial losses for business, industry and employees

The Physiology of Stress (1 of 5)

Learning Objective 5.4 Recognize the causes and effects of the body’s fight or flight response.

Fight or Flight Response

Survival mechanism which prepares us to deal with physical danger

Causes series of instantaneous physiological and psychological changes

Table 5.1 Signs of Fight or Flight

Signs	Signs
Racing thoughts	Attention span narrows
Rapid pulse	Pounding heart
Gritting of teeth	Muscular tension
Can’t sit still	Jaw clenching
Tremors	Stomach tightens
Rapid, shallow breathing	Perspiration increases
Serious, concerned expression	Field of vision narrows
Numbness	Cold, clammy hands
Impulsive behavior	Gripping emotions
Inability to concentrate	Dry mouth

The Physiology of Stress (2 of 5)

Fight or Flight Response continued

Hyperactivity in autonomic nervous system (ANS)

ANS has two divisions

Sympathetic branch: mobilizes body for action

Parasympathetic branch: allows body to calm down

Homeostasis (balance)

Figure 5.2

The Physiology of Stress (3 of 5)

The Downside of the Fight/Flight Reaction

Response also triggered by perceived danger, including events in past and future

Not always useful in facing modern challenges

No chance to recover before facing new stressors

Figure 5.3

The Physiology of Stress (4 of 5)

The Downside of the Fight/Flight Reaction continued

Habituate to a state of autonomic arousal

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Alarm Reaction

Stage of Resistance

Stage of Exhaustion

Figure 5.4

For long image description, see slide 28, Appendix B

Figure 5.5 Stress: The General Adaptation Syndrome

For long image description, see slide 29, Appendix C

The Physiology of Stress (5 of 5)

Stress Sensitization

May become acutely sensitive to stress

Ordinary events can trigger chemical reactions in brain and body

Sensitization alters physical patterns in brain

What Is Possible? (1 of 3)

Learning Objective 5.5 Understand the role of the placebo effect in stress and illness.

Norman Cousins and The Power of Laughter

Mind and body have a remarkable capacity for healing

Humor as a stress reducer

Anesthetic effect

Reduced inflammation

What Is Possible? (2 of 3)

The Power of Belief

Rossi’s The Psychobiology of Mind-Body Healing

Story of Mr. Wright

Optimism’s power to heal

Placebo Effect

Responsible for 30 percent, perhaps up to 80 percent, of the success of all treatment

What Is Possible? (3 of 3)

The Neurobiology of the Placebo Effect

Expectation signal from the prefrontal cortex

Wager terms this endogenous regulation

The Mind-Body Connection (1 of 3)

Learning Objective 5.6 Describe how the connection between the mind and body can affect the immune system and healing.

Psychoneuroimmunology

Study of the relationship between stress, our immune system and health outcomes

Depression may be survival mechanism

Are there actually alternative stress reactions?

Fight / Flight

Withdrawal Response

Tend and Befriend

The Mind-Body Connection (2 of 3)

Your Immune System Can Learn!

Research indicates we can modify immune systems

More Research Evidence for the Mind-Body Connection

Research indicates stress inhibits immune functioning and increases the likelihood of contracting illnesses

The Mind-Body Connection (3 of 3)

The Healing Power of the Mind

Can our minds can influence our immune systems to prevent or lower the risk of illness or injury, and also promote healing?

Can learn and practice steps for mastering stress

Process is important

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Appendix A

Long description for Figure 5.1

A line indicates performance as related to arousal level. Performance is bad when the arousal level is low. Performance rises and peaks when arousal is moderate, and falls backs to bad when the arousal level is high.

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Appendix B

Long description for Figure 5.4

The line representing chronic stress begins at homeostasis, and increases with arousal. Over time, arousal declines, but remains at a moderate level, never returning to homeostasis.

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Appendix C

Long description for Figure 5.5

In the short term it's vital, but over time it turns destructive. Research shows how chronic stress breaks down the body and makes way for disease. The body’s response is immediate, delayed and chronic. The associated body part is indicated and labeled as follows:

1. Immediate: In response to a perceived threat, the body channels resources for strength and speed.

Brain: Stress protectively dulls the body's sense of pain. Thinking and memory improve.

Eyes: Pupils dilate for better vision.

Lungs: Take in more oxygen.

Liver: Sugar stored as glycogen is converted to glucose for energy.

Heart: The bloodstream brings extra oxygen and glucose — fuel for power. Heart rate and blood pressure rise.

Adrenal Glands: The medulla secretes fight-or-flight hormone Epinephrine (adrenalin).

Spleen: Extra red blood cells flow out, allowing the blood to carry more oxygen to the muscles.

Intestines: Digestion halts, allowing the body to dedicate energy to the muscles.

Hair: Body hairs become erect. Puffed-up hair makes animals look bigger and more dangerous.

Muscles: Tense to prepare to fight or flee.

2. Delayed: A few minutes after the fight-or-flight response, the body makes changes to stabilize and replenish itself.

Brain: The hippocampus, a center of memory/learning, gets activated to process the stress.

Immune System: Infection fighting is diminished, perhaps increasing available energy.

Liver: Fat-stored energy is converted into usable fuel.

Adrenal Glands: The cortex secretes cortisol, which regulates metabolism and immunity. Over time, though, this can be toxic.

3. Chronic: If activated too often, the response may harm the immune system, heart, and brain.

Brain: Cortisol becomes toxic to the brain cells, potentially damaging cognitive ability. Fatigue, anger and depression increase.

Immune System: Repeated suppression of disease-fighting cells ultimately weakens infection resistance.

Intestines: Decreases in blood flow leave mucous lining vulnerable to ulcers.

Circulatory System: Elevated blood pressure and heart rate damage elasticity of blood vessels.

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