General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

• What is a strength of Selye’s GAS model?

  There is research support for it.
• What did Selye investigate in his research using rats?

  He investigated the common response to various noxious substances.
• What common symptoms did Selye observe in his patients?

  Aches and pains, loss of appetite.
• What was the outcome of Selye's research with rats regarding stress responses?

  Rats produced a similar response regardless of the noxious substance injected.
• What does Selye's "doctrine of non-specificity" imply?

  The body responds in the same way to any stressor.
• Why is Selye’s research significant in understanding physiological responses to stressors?

  It provides a good understanding of how the body reacts to stressors.
• What is a weakness of Selye’s GAS model?

  Stress-related illness may not be due to depletion of resources
• What does recent research indicate about the body's resources during extreme stress?

  Many resources do not become depleted even under extreme stress
• What hormone activity is associated with the exhaustion phase of stress according to current views?

  Increased hormone activity, such as cortisol
• Why is Selye’s explanation of stress-related illnesses considered incorrect?

  It appears to be wrong because it attributes illness to depletion of resources
• What does the link suggest about Selye’s model in relation to stressors?

  It does not accurately measure the bodily processes that occur when encountering stressors
• Who conducted research that challenges Selye’s GAS model?

  Sheridan (1992)
• What is a weakness of Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model?

  Stress-related illness may not be due to depletion of resources
• What recent research findings challenge Selye's GAS model?

  Many 'resources' do not become depleted even under extreme stress
• What hormone is associated with the exhaustion phase of stress according to current views?

  Cortisol
• Why is the evidence against Selye’s explanation of stress-related illnesses significant?

  It suggests that his model may be incorrect regarding resource depletion
• How does Selye’s model inaccurately measure bodily processes during stress?

  It does not accurately measure the processes that occur when encountering stressors