Psychobiology: Y2 LCRS 2: Psychobiology of Disease
This flashcard set covers key concepts in stress physiology and health, including the "fight or flight" response and Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) with its three stages. It also explains how stress can lead to disease through physiological and behavioural pathways, and references the Steptoe experiment linking stress with health behaviours. (Note: Answer for the Steptoe experiment is missing and should be completed for a full set.)
What is the fight or flight response?
This is the physiological response to stress
Key Terms
What is the fight or flight response?
This is the physiological response to stress
What are the three stages of Selye’s general adaptation syndrome?
Stage 1: Alarm Reaction– shift to sympathetic dominance –increased arousal
Stage 2: Resistance – endocrine system produces ACTH to maintain the ...
Describe the psycho-psychological and behavioural pathways linking stress and disease.
Events cause stress
Stress leads to physiological changes and behavioural changes
These lead to disease
Describe the findings of the Steptoe experiment on health behaviour and stress.
This observed the interaction between health behaviour and social support
Smoking: at baseline both groups were the same. During exam time: high...
What effect does stress have on the immune system?
Immunosuppression
Describe Cohen’s experiment on stress and colds.
Exposed volunteers to a nasal wash containing cold virus and asked the volunteers to rate their level of stress The more stressed people were, the ...
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What is the fight or flight response? | This is the physiological response to stress |
What are the three stages of Selye’s general adaptation syndrome? | Stage 1: Alarm Reaction– shift to sympathetic dominance –increased arousal |
Describe the psycho-psychological and behavioural pathways linking stress and disease. | Events cause stress |
Describe the findings of the Steptoe experiment on health behaviour and stress. | This observed the interaction between health behaviour and social support |
What effect does stress have on the immune system? | Immunosuppression |
Describe Cohen’s experiment on stress and colds. | Exposed volunteers to a nasal wash containing cold virus and asked the volunteers to rate their level of stress The more stressed people were, the more they became ill with the cold |
What is Type A behaviour? | |
What is the link between Type A behaviour and cardiovascular disease? | Increased risk of coronary heart disease NOTE: the Western Collaborative Group Study confirmed this |
What is the placebo effect? | An inactive substance can sometimes improve a patient’s condition simply because the patient has the expectation that it will be helpful |
Describe the relationship between social support/relationships and health. | Individuals with adequate social relationships have a 50% greater likelihood of survival compared to those with poor or insufficient social relationships |
State some examples of components of stress management. | |