PBHL 2203 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Stress (Biology), Sympathetic Nervous System, Allostatic Load
19 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
Stress- is a negative emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological, cognitive, and behavior changes that are directed either toward altering the stressful event or accommodating to its effects. Stress is the consequence of a person"s appraisal processes: the assessment of whether personal resources are sufficient to meet the demands of the environment. Fight or flight involves a threat and the body rapidly is aroused and motivated via the sympathetic nervous system and endocrine system. Fight or flight is good because it enables the organism to respond quickly to threat. On the other hand, it can be harmful because stress disrupts emotional and physiological functioning, and when the stress continues health problems can start. General adaptation syndrome- when an organism confronts a stressor it mobilizes itself for action. The response itself is non-specific with respect to the stressor. Regardless of the cause of the threat, the individual will respond with the same physiological pattern of reactions.
