2. Explain the fight-or-flight response
Describe the phases of the General
Adaptation Syndrome
Discuss a variety of theories of stress (life
events, daily hassles, tend and
befriend, hardiness)
3.
Walter Cannon - physiologist
Fight or Flight Response
› “the instinctive physiological responses
preparing the body, when confronted by a
threat, to either fight or flee; an evolutionary
survival dynamic” (Seaward, 2006, p. 5)
4.
Do we still have the fight-or-flight
response?
Why is it outdated?
What impact does it have on our
bodies?
7. Oplin, M. & Hesson, M. (2013). Stress management for life: A researchbased experiential approach. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
Seaward, B.L. (2006). Managing stress: principles and strategies for
health and well-being. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
Websites and Images
Images courtesy of Microsoft Office clip art
Dimensions of Health Wellness Wheel Image from:
http://www.wellnessbuddha.com/articles/6-dimensions-ofgood-health.html
Editor's Notes
Page 32 in bookFight-or-flight is a theory by Walter Cannon that seeks to explain the body's automatic response to stress. The stress response is a primitive response with one purpose – survival. It gives us strength, power and speed to avoid physical harm, such as running from a bear. Today not many of us find ourselves running from bears or even facing life threatening situations where our survival is threatened. Fight-or-flight activates the sympathetic nervous system which causes chemicals to be released into the blood stream. These chemicals result in physical changes in the body that allow a person to fight a stressor or flee from it. (example the bear)This response disrupts homeostasis - or the balance of the body systems. If this response is needed and is short in duration then the fight-or-flight response is helpful, a person fight-or-flees from the stressor then the body returns to homeostasis. The problem is when the response is not needed for survival and happens frequently. Most of us do not face events that threaten our survival on a daily basis but most of us probable encounter stressors on a daily basis. The body responds to the stress of too much to do the same way it responds to a bear chasing us. This is why the stress response has become outdated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S_BB7R8NMU
Page 38 in bookThe General Adaptation Syndrome developed by Dr. Hans Selye explains the process by which the body tries to adapt to stress. This theory explains the physiological effects of chronic stress on the body. There are 3 stages of the GAS. The first is alarm stage. This is when a stressor occurs and homeostasis is disrupted and the body automatically starts changes to prepare the body to respond to the stressor (Remember the big bear?). If the stressor stops during this stage homeostasis will return.The second stage is the Stage of Resistance. During this stage the stressor is present and the body is using it’s resources to try and return the body to homeostasis (or balance) but the body cannot achieve this. The stress response stay activated or on but usually less intense level.The final stage is the Stage of Exhaustion. This is when the body can no longer function normally due to the continued stress. When the body is using it’s resources to cope with stress is less able to maintain wellness. This is often seen in our physical, mental and emotional health.
Life Events:Any change in your life that might cause stress (pregnancy, new job, holidays) – unexpected eventsDaily Hassles: Day to day hassles that create the most stress – contrast to the life events theoryHardiness (page 65-69 in the textbook)Hardiness describes a group of personality traits that together reduce a individuals perception of stress. Since a stressor is percieved if a person does not perceive it as a stress they do not initiate the stress response. The personality traits that constitute hardiness are:Views potentially stressful events as interesting and meaningful.Sees challenges as normal and as an opportunity for growth. Sees self as capable of having an influence on the events.Tend & Befriend (page 33 in textbook)Focuses on the stress response in femalesWomen respond to stress using tend & befriend as opposed to fight-or-flight to maximize survival of self and offspring. In this theory a woman's body responds to stress by producing chemicals that encourage them to tend (take care) and befriend other women. The tending protects the offsrping from harm while the befriending creates a social circle that offers protection of sorts (think shared resources).
