psychosomatic illness

tissue damage as consequence of undergoing stress

stimulus perspective

external events in the environment that impinge upon us (e.g. measure through questionaire)

response definition of stress

internal psychological stress

Hans Selye The General Adaptation Syndrome 3 stages

1.alarm stage:

e.g. step into street w/on coming truck-->startle reaction

2.resistance: e.g. jump out of the way

3.exhaustion: e.g. heavy trucks going over old wooden bridge, stress takes a toll.

stress

a psychological and physiological response to excessive and usually unpleasant stimuli and to threatening events in the environment

perceptual definition of stress

a perceived demand requiring adjustment which taxes the individual to near or beyond the limits of his or her resources

self efficacy

if we believe we can deal w/ what comes our way we won't be as stressed as someone unprepared

threat

the anticipation of harm; what may happen; futre oriented.

frustration

harm has already occured; past orientation

conflict

the occurence simlutaneously of two or more incompatable action tendencies or goals