PSY327H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Cortisol, Longitudinal Study, Life Satisfaction
Document Summary
Instrumental support: offer help to solve the problem. E. g. we"re weak, need a lot of calories, etc. Close others could help us get over those challenges. But we have to balance it w/ own survival goals so selective helping: Emotional expressions function to signal needs to others. Embarrassment: apology and need to be forgiven for violating expectations. Cannot find mental and physical health benefits of receiving support. Believing you have supportive others is beneficial, but receiving greater support is sometimes not. Study: manipulation of support to examine the cortisol rxn after being exposed to a stressor. People w/ low anxiety: notes did not have significant effect on cortisol levels. People w/ high anxiety: supportive notes significantly reduced cortisol levels. Partners say they gave support, and the recipient also perceived it. Partners say they gave support, and the recipient did not perceive it. Makes people feel like they are a burden and indebted to partners.
