PS102 Chapter Notes - Chapter 13: Insomnia, Learned Helplessness, Jargon
Document Summary
Stress is any circumstances that threaten or are perceived to threaten one"s well-being and that thereby tax one"s coping abilities. The threat may be to immediate physical safety, long-range security, self-esteem, reputation, peace of mind, or many other things that one values. Many everyday events, such as waiting in line, having car trouble, shopping for gifts, misplacing your cell phone, and even commuting are stressful. An individual"s response to a stressor is a function of a number of factors, including the type of stressor and its controllability, biological factors such as age and gender, and the individual"s personal experience with stress. Appraisal: stress lies in the eye of the beholder. Primary appraisal is an initial evaluation of whether an event is (1) irrelevant to you, (2) relevant but not threatening or (3) stressful. Secondary appraisal is an evaluation of your coping resources and options for dealing with the stress.
