Download Chapter 4 Arousal and Stress

Chapter 4 Arousal and Stress
Arousal refers to the overall state of alertness and activation of the individual.
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Sympathetic nervous system activated to prepare the body for danger
Hormones released into blood stream, such as adrenalin and noradrenalin, cardiovascular
system increases, enabling the circulatory system to transport blood containing adrenalin to the
muscles faster.
Typically, the optimal level of arousal is moderate.
Fight-flight response is an automatic reaction by, resulting in a state of arousal that allows the body to
either fight or flee (flight) the dangerous situation.
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Considered and adaptive response, as the physiological response can change depending on the
situation.
The polygraph measures physiological responses which enables arousal measurement.
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Can be used as a lie detector, but are serious limitations to the use of this to determine a lie.
Fear, guilt and anxiety all produce similar physiological responses so it is hard to determine
between the three.
Stress is an unpleasant state of physiological and psychological tension caused by intense or prolonged
arousal, which exceeds their ability to cope.
A stressor is an event that causes stress.
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Physiological stressor – extremes in temperature, loud noise, heavy objects etc
Psychological stressor – changing schools, living in poverty, arguing with friends etc
A stress reaction are the psychological, physiological or behavioural (biting fingernails etc) responses
that people experience when confronted by a stressor.
Mild stress can be stimulating, exhilarating etc.
Acute stress produces high level arousal for a short period of time
Chronic stress produces high level arousal for long periods of time. It can result in physiological or
psychological effects in either the short or long term.
Physiological effects of intense and prolonged arousal:
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Physical wear and tear of body, especially in those organs already weak.
Immune system diminished, resulting in flu, colds, digestive disorders etc
Psychological effects of intense or prolonged arousal occur automatically and are often unpredictable,
as we have no control over them. The effects can be classified into three categories:
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Behavioural:
Can be seen in how a person looks and acts.
Strained facial expressions, shaky voice, hand tremors, muscle spasms etc
Significant changes in behavior can also be a result, eg: eating patterns increase etc
Emotional:
Feelings of anxiety, irritable, short-tempered etc
Cognitive:
Cannot concentrate because of constant intrusion of thought
Problem solving skills affected
Daily decision making also affected
Post traumatic stress disorder is a severe anxiety conditions that may develop after experiencing a
traumatic event. Symptoms can appear in days, months or years. The symptoms last for at least a month
and can continue for up to a lifetime.
Acute stress disorder is similar to PTSD, but the symptoms show within one month of the stressful
event, and subside in approximately a month.
General Adaptation Syndrome was formed by Hans Seyle, who discovered that responses to stress
remained consistent to a set routine. There are three stages:
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Alarm Stage:
Short period of shock is experienced where body’s resistance to stress is reduced. Countershock
is then experienced where the sympathetic nervous system is activated, increasing resistance to
stress. Fight-flight response is experienced.
Resistance:
Resistance to stress is increased significantly.
Cortisol is released into the bloodstream, healing any damage that may have happened to the
body, but also diminishing the immune system
Exhaustion:
If stressor is not dealt with, enter stage of exhaustion.
Resources have been depleted in dealing with stress, so illness likely.
Physical and psychological illnesses possible result.