Hey guys, I'm new to the forum so I'm not sure if I should post a long list of questions, but anyway I'd be extremely appreciative if anyone could help me out here to explain to me whether for these Checkpoints questions I would get some marks or not in these scenarios. Thanks a load for any guidance you people provide!!!
66. Briefly describe how the sympathetic nervous system generates the fight-flight-freeze response. In your answer you must refer to any neurotransmitters involved.
My Answer:
• Basically, just described the SAM system (isn’t this what causes the physiological stress response?)
Their Answer:
The SA system releases two substances noradrenaline (1 mark) and adrenaline (1 mark) when the organism senses a threat (1 mark). These substances prime the body for a brief burst of physical activity (1 mark) by directing blood and energy (glucose) from the tissues (1 mark) to the heart, lungs, muscles and brain (1 mark).
67. Distinguish between a stressor and a stress response.
My Answer:
• Stressors are any stimuli which can cause stress
• Stress is a physiological and psychological state of arousal
Their Answer:
• Stressor – a change in the immediate environment that affects an organism
• Stress response – a change in the organism in response to the stressor
75. List two strengths and two limitations of Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome.
My Answer:
• Strengths: Explains physiological aspect of stress
• Disadvantage: Doesn’t account for psychological aspect of stress, used rats in their experimentation (so results can’t be generalised)
Their Answer:
• Strengths:
o That the stress response occurs in states
o That resistance to a stressor occurs in the short term
o That prolonged or severe stressor leads to the organism no longer adapting and becoming exhausted
• Limitations:
o Different stressors do not lead to non-specific responses
o Different disorders are associated with high stress levels
o The adrenal cortex and cortisol (as deemed primarily important as claimed by Selye) are only one aspect of the stress response with the HPA and SAM systems interacting to regulate each other to supress the stress response
76. Cortisol is a substance secreted in response to a stressful event.
a. How long does it take for the effects of cortisol to be felt in the face of stress compared to the other stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenalin?
My Answer:
Cortisol is a slow acting stress response, however lasts for longer (unlike adrenalin and noradrenalin) (is this enough to gain marks?)
Their Answer:
• It takes some minutes (rather than seconds) (1 mark) for a person to feel the effects of cortisol in the face of stress
• Adrenaline and noradrenaline effects are felt immediately (within fractions of seconds) of the stressful event (1 mark)
77.
a. Briefly explain what is meant by approach and avoidance strategies as coping mechanisms for stress
My Answer:
• Approach strategies attempt to directly deal with a stressor, whereas avoidance indirectly by dealing with the emotions (thiis is what my teacher said, so is this still acceptable?)
Their Answer:
Approach and avoidance are terms used to describe cognitive and emotional activity (1 mark) directed either towards (approach) or away (avoidance) from a threat (1 mark)
b. List one potential benefit and one potential cost associated with each of the approach and avoidance strategies in coping with stress
My Answer:
• Can lead to the stressor’s removal
• Can cause further stress though
Their Answer:
• Approach benefits:
o Appropriate action is taken to deal with the stress
o Allows venting of emotion and frustration
o Acceptance, assimilation and resolution of a traumatic situation
• Approach costs:
o Increased distress by confronting the situation
o Non-productive worry or emotional distress
• Avoidance Benefits:
o Immediate stress reduction (at least in the short term)
o Allows for dosing (i.e. dealing with the stress progressively to avoid being overwhelmed)
o Increased hope and courage to achieve some control over the threat
• Avoidance Costs:
o Interference with appropriate actions
o Emotional numbness
o Intrusion of threatening (stressful) material
o Disruptive avoidance behaviours
79.
b. Name and describe two different types of coping strategies that can be adopted according to the transactional model of stress and coping.
My Answer:
• Problem based – dealing with trying to solve the issue (deal with stressor) (aren't problem and approach strategies the exact same?)
• Emotion based – deal with one’s emotions (aren't emotional and avoidance strategies the exact same?)
Their Answer:
• Problem focused (1 mark) – seeks to address the practical aspects of the stressor, or reduce it or adapt to its impact (1 mark)
• Emotion focused (1 mark) – addresses the emotion associated with the stressor, by avoidance, denial, or though drugs and alcohol to overcome the anxiety or via psychological defence mechanisms but not addressing the stressor (1 mark)
80. Identify two strengths and two limitations of Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping.
My Answer:
• Advantages:
o Explains psychological aspect of stress (is this just irrelavent? Or is it actually worth a mark?)
o Accounts for people’s differences in how they interpret stress
• Disadvantages:
o Doesn’t account for the physiological stress response (same question as for the psychological aspect just above in advantages)
o In reality primary and secondary appraisal have to happen simultaneously
Their Answer:
• Strengths:
o Focuses on psychological determinants of the stress response (not just involuntary physiological changes) which are potentially controllable
o Acknowledges the personal nature and individuality of the stress response
o Views stress as an interaction between the individual and the environment in which the individual plays an active, not passive, role
o Emphasises the individual’s role in interpreting the situation from their perspective which explains variability in the stress response
o Explains why different individuals responds in different ways to the same types of stressors
o Explains how stressors and their circumstances can change over time through the process of re-appraisal
o Proposes various methods for managing psychological responses to stressors
o Provides greater understanding of the importance of different stress management strategies and programs
• Limitations:
o Difficulty to test experimentally due to the subjective nature, variability and complexity of individuals’ response to stressors
o Primary and secondary appraisals can interact and/or occur simultaneously rather than follow a linear sequence, as per the model
o There is some doubt as to whether (conscious) appraisal is actually required for a person to experience stress
o Some individuals may be unable to cognitively label (or appraise) the factors actually causing stress for them
81. Dean had a stressful job as a police officer. He found that going on a daily 5 km jog greatly reduced his stress levels. Identify two effects of exercise on the autonomic nervous system and state how each may reduce Dean’s experience of stress.
My Answer:
Exercise may use up Deans stress hormones like cortisol. And make him more used to the stress response (this second part wasn’t part of their answer, would it be acceptable)
84.
a. Define what is meant by the term ‘acculturative stress’.
My Answer:
The stress of adapting to a new culture
Their Answer:
A reduction in health status of the individuals (1 mark) who have to struggle to adapt to a new culture psychologically or socially (1 mark)
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