Chapter 15
After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
- Define and differentiate between the terms stress and stressor, and discuss the importance of cognitive appraisal in the determination of what is stressful.
- Compare and contrast Selye’s general adaptation syndrome to Lazarus’ view of stress and cognitive appraisal.
- Describe the Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale and compare it to the Hassles scale.
- List the four broad sources of stress, and state how these stressors contribute to the experience of stress.
- Identify the possible causes and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Describe some of the physiological and behavioral responses to stress.
- Summarize what is currently known about the relationship between stress and heart disease, infectious diseases, and health related behaviors.
- Define coping and outline the relationship between coping and such personal factors as personal resources, a sense of control, and social support.
- Differentiate between emotion-focused, problem-focused, and proactive coping strategies, and list some examples of each type of coping strategy.
- Explain stress inoculation and summarize the processes involved in the three stages of this technique.
- Describe the fields of health psychology and behavioral medicine and explain what individuals in such fields might study.
- Discuss how health psychologists help explain why people do or do not engage in healthy behavioral acts.
- Describe how health psychologists involved in AIDS prevention are educating the public about high-risk behaviors.
- Explain what is meant by the psychology of being sick, focusing on when people seek medical care and adopt a sick role and under what circumstances they may comply with medical advice.
- Explain how health psychologists help individuals adopt a healthier lifestyle and encourage people to engage in healthier behaviors related to pain management, substance use, and condom use.
