Psychology 1000 Study Guide - Parasympathetic Nervous System, Harm Reduction, Anxiety Disorder

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: All

Document Summary

Stressors: catastrophic events; unexpected affect large number of people, major negative events; ex. Events occur suddenly/unpredictably affecting person over long period of time take greatest toll. Life event scales: quantify amount of life stress a person has experiences over given period of time. Indicates: whether particular event occurred, positive/negative appraisal, major event, rate predictability, controllability, duration. Define stress in negative life changes only. Positive life events can counter negative impact. 4 aspects of appraisal process are of significance: demands of situation primary appraisal, resources available to cope with situation secondary appraisal, consequences of situation, personal meaning; what outcome might imply about us. If you believe demands of situation greatly exceed resources experience stress. Potential consequences failing to cope successfully with situation: seriousness and likelihood of consequence occurring. Psychological meaning of the consequences: beliefs/personal standards vulnerable to particular situational demands. Distortion of appraisals can occur inappropriate stress responses: overestimate seriousness, underestimate resources, exaggerate consequences, irrational self-beliefs.