Chapter 16

• stress


  an unpleasant emotional state that results from the perception of danger
• stressor


  a stimulus that serves as a source of stress
• general adaptation syndrome (GAS)


  Hans Selye's 3-stage model for an organism's response to stressors
• alarm reaction


  the first stage of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS), characterized by sympathetic arousal and mental clarity
• resistance


  the second stage of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS), characterized by coping with ongoing stress
• exhaustion


  the third and last stage of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS), characterized by depletion of physical and psychological resources
• sympathetic adrenal-medullary (SAM) system

  a circuit that responds to perceived stressors by initiating the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine into the bloodstream
• hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis


  a circuit that responds to perceived stressors by initiating the release of cortisol into the bloodstream
• cortisol


  a hormone released into the bloodstream from the adrenal glands
• tend-and-befriend


  an alternative to fight-or-flight as a response to stressors, characterized by soothing and building social connections, which is possibly more characteristic of females
• immune system


  the body system that defends against infection and cancer
• lymphocyte


  white blood cells that are products of the immune system
• Type A personality


  a competitive, workaholic, and in some cases hostile personality type
• Type B personality


  a mellow, laid-back personality type
• problem-focused coping


  a response to stress designed to address specific problems by finding solutions
• emotion-focused coping


  a response to stress that targets the negative emotions arising from the situation
• relationship-focused coping


  a response to stress designed to maintain and protest social relationships
• resilience


  the ability to adapt to life's challenges in positive ways