Term 2
Learn Psychology with
Vishal Pandey
Chapter 3
Meeting Life Challenges
Nature, Type & Sources of Stress
• What is stress?
• Eustress
• Distress
• Stress can be described as the pattern of responses
an organism makes to stimulus event that disturbs
the equilibrium and exceeds a person’s ability to
cope.
Nature of Stress
• The reaction to external stressors is called ‘strain’
• Hens Selye – Father of Modern stress research – “the non-specific response of the body
to any demand”.
• Others believed – “Different stressors may produce somewhat different patterns of
stress reaction, and different individuals may have different characteristic modes of
response.
• Stress is a dynamic mental/cognitive state.
• It is the disruption in homeostasis or an imbalance that gives rise to the requirement
for resolution of that imbalance or restoration of hemeostasis.
Nature of Stress
• An individual’s response to a stressful situation largely depends
upon the perceived events and how they are interpreted or
appraised.
• Lazarus has distinguished between two types of appraisal
– Primary Appraisal – Perception of new environment as positive, negative
or neutral in its consequences
• Harm
• Threat
• Challenge
– Secondary Appraisal – Assessment of one’s coping abilities & resources
and whether they will be sufficient to meet the harm, threat or challenge.
Model of Stress Process
Physiological Response
• Hypothalamus initiates action along two pathways
– Autonomic Nervous System
– Pituitary Gland
• ANS – Adrenal Gland releases Catecholamines
(epinephrine & Norepinephrine) for fight or flight
response
• Pituitary Gland secretes Corticosteroid (cortisol)
which provides energy.
Emotional Response
• Negative emotions such as Fear, anxiety,
embarrassment, anger, depression or even denial.
Behavioural Response
• Behavioural response are virtually limitless, depending
on the nature of the stressful event. (fight or flight)
Cognitive Response
• It include beliefs about the harm or threat an event & beliefs about its
causes or controllability. (Lack of concentration, intrusive, repetitive
thoughts)
Signs & Symptoms of Stress
• The way we respond to stress varies depending upon
our personality, early upbringing & life experiences.
• Depth of the problem, Nature, severity
Types of Stress
• Physical & Environmental stress
• Psychological Stress
– Frustration
– Conflicts
– Internal pressures
– Social pressures
• Social Stress
Effects of stress on Psychological Functioning &
Health
• Emotional Effects – Mood Swings, erratic behaviour & may alienate
themselves. Increased physical tension, psychological tensions.
• Physiological Effects – Adrenaline & Cortisol (changes in heart rate,
BP levels, Metabolism & physical activity. Damaging in long term.
– Release of Epinephrine & nor-epinephrine
– Slowing down of the digestive system
– Expansion of air passages in the lungs,
– Increased heart rate
– Constriction of blood vessels.
Effects of stress on Psychological Functioning &
Health
• Cognitive Effects – Inability to decision making, poor
concentration, reduced short-term memory.
• Behavioural Effects –
– Less Nutritional food
– Increase in caffeine
– Excess of cigarettes, alcohol & other drugs
– Disrupted sleep patterns
– Reduced work performance
–
Stress & Health
• Burnout – The mental exhaustion appears in the form
of irritability, anxiety, feelings of helplessness &
hopelessness, this state of physical, emotional &
psychological exhaustion is known as BURNOUT
General Adaptation Syndrome
Coping with Stress
• Coping is a dynamic situation-specific reaction to
stress.
• The three coping strategies given by ENDLER &
PARKER are:
– Task Oriented strategy
– Emotion-oriented strategy
– Avoidance-oriented strategy
Coping with Stress
• Lazarus & Folkman has conceptualized coping as a
dynamic process rather than an individual trait.
• Coping responses can be divided into two types of
responses,
– Problem-focused & Emotion-focused.
Stress Management Techniques
• Relaxation techniques
• Meditation Procedures
• Biofeedback
• Creative Visualisation
• Cognitive behavioural techniqes
• Exercise
ThankYou
• Notes available at [Link]
• Instagram – career_innova
• Youtube :
• CareerInnova
• Learn Psychology with vishal pandey
