Download Psychology – Cortosol Handout J Cortisol a. Gland: a. Adrenal b

Psychology – Cortosol Handout 
Cortisol
a.
Gland:
a.
Adrenal
a.
b.
c.
Function
Arousal
Stress
Memory
b.
Random notes
Mostly present in the morning
o
Least at night
Also known as THE STRESS HORMONE
Are involved with body’s fight or flight technique
POSITIVE EFFECTS- slide
o
Some positive aspects when cortisol amount is slightly increased:
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§
A quick burst of energy for survival reasons
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Heightened memory functions
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A burst of increased immunity
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Lower sensitivity to pain
§
Helps maintain homeostasis in the body
Higher or prolonged levels of cortisol cause negative effects such as:
o
Impaired cognitive performance
o
Suppressed thyroid function
o
Blood sugar imbalances such as hyperglycemia
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Decreased bone density
o
Decrease in muscle tissue
o
Higher blood pressure
o
Lowered immunity and inflammatory responses in the body, slowed
wound healing, and other health consequences
o
Increased abdominal fat, which is associated with a greater amount of
health problems than fat deposited in other areas of the body.
§
fat:
Some of the health problems associated with increased stomach
·
Heart attacks
·
strokes
·
the development of metabolic syndrome
·
higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL)
Some studies:
Tops 2006
Aim: to see whether sex hormones separate men from women in reaction to cortisol
Procedure: 27 healthy women were given placebos (fake, inactive drugs) or capsules
with 35 mg of cortisol (in morning). After reading/resting for 30 minutes, blood
samples were taken. Then they were told to do computer based tasks.
Findings: Fatigue increased, vigor decreased. Those who took in cortisol capsule had
lesser increase of fatique, but higher vigor decrease.
Conclusion: Cortisol may affect fatique and vigor levels.
Strengths:
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Not many uncontrolled variables
27 women seems like a “good place to start”
Weaknesses:
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low ecological validity (as it was only tested on women in specific age range)
Ripetti 2008
Aim: to see whether marital status affects daily cortisol levels amongst parents
Procedure: 60 middle class parents were asked to complete standardized tests about
the conditions of their marriage (whether they were happy or not). The study was
conducted over three days. Twice a day parents were asked to complete
questionnaire asking about workdays and stress levels. Four times a day (early and
late morning, afternoon, evening), the team collected saliva samples to determine
and analyse cortisol samples.
Findings: Men, regardless of marriage conditions, had an “exaggerated decrease” in
cortisol levels after their busy days. Women, if they were found to have a happier
marriage, the levels of cortisol decreased more after a busy day than it did in women
who were not so happy regarding their marriage.
Conclusion: This indicates men aren’t affected as much by external factors such as
happiness in marriage when it comes to dealing with stress. It also suggests that
women use factors such as marital satisfaction to help decrease stress.
Strengths:
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Tested both men and women
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Tested saliva samples several times
Weaknesses:
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Even though both men and women were tested, only parents were tested who
were in middle class, so ecological validity is still low
Gaugh
Aim: to see to what extent stress affects memory retrieval (which is affected by
cortisol)
Procedure: rats were given electrical shocks (which caused stress) and then sent in
a maze which they were familiar with. The shocks were given at different time
intervals to see how temporary or how long the memory impairment caused by
stress and increase in cortisol levels was.
Findings: rats which were given the shock 4 hours before and 2 minutes before did
well in the maze. Those given the shock 30 minutes before could not remember how
to finish the maze.
Conclusions: cortisol increases and it clearly affects memory. However, it is only
temporary and it affects the retrieval of memory rather than the memory itself.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
-
Tested on animals, so not valid for humans
http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/stress.html
http://www.physorg.com/news118391221.html