Chapter 1

1. Chapter 1 What is Stress?

2. History ofStress Research Table 1.1 • Walter Cannon (twentieth century physiologist) first identified “fight or flight” response • Hans Selye (endocrinologist) proposed the General Adaptation Syndrome: • Alarm • Resistance • Exhaustion • Specific definitions of stress, eustress, and distress

3. History ofStress Research, cont’d Table 1.1 • A.T.W. Simeons related evolution to psychosomatic disease (twentieth century concept) • Historical developments in stress management include: • Autogenic training • Progressive relaxation • Concept of bracing • Neuromuscular relaxation

4. Stress Theory • Several theories explain the causes of stress: • Life events theory: situation requires more resources than are available • Hardiness theory: one’s attitude toward the events determines stress • Social support theory: insufficient social support for responding to event

5. The Stressor • Stressor (stimulus) • Biological • Psychological • Sociological • Philosophical • Stress reactivity (fight-or-flight response) • All effects are based on duration and degree of one’s physiological reaction • There may be gender differences

6. Definition of Stress • Mason described the different uses of the word stress: • Stimulus • Response • Whole spectrum of interacting factors (Lazarus) • Stimulus-response interaction

7. Comparing Physiological Responses • Comparing physiological responses of a stressor between two different people • Refer to Table 1.2 • Can you relate to either model?

8. Goals forStress Management • Do not eliminate all stress • Use as a motivator for peak performance • Stress can be useful, stimulating, and welcome • Limit harmful effects

9. Chapter 1 What is Stress?