🔑 Key Definitions
Stress: Physical and emotional response when demands exceed resources
Stressor: Any event or situation that triggers the stress response
Eustress: Positive, motivating stress (e.g., excitement before a wedding)
Distress: Negative, harmful stress that overwhelms coping abilities
Stressor: Any event or situation that triggers the stress response
Eustress: Positive, motivating stress (e.g., excitement before a wedding)
Distress: Negative, harmful stress that overwhelms coping abilities
👤 Important Figures
- Hans Selye - Father of stress research, developed General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
- Walter Cannon - Introduced "Fight or Flight" response concept
🧠 Key Models & Theories
- General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) - Three stages: Alarm → Resistance → Exhaustion
- Fight or Flight Response - Sympathetic nervous system activation for survival
- Transactional Model - Stress depends on person's appraisal of situation
📊 Types of Stressors
- Acute Stress: Short-term, immediate threats
- Chronic Stress: Long-term, ongoing pressures
- Daily Hassles: Minor everyday annoyances that accumulate
- Major Life Events: Significant changes requiring adaptation
💡 Exam Tips
- Remember: GAS has THREE stages - Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion
- Distinguish between eustress (positive) and distress (negative)
- Know Selye vs. Cannon: Selye = GAS, Cannon = Fight or Flight
- Daily hassles can be MORE harmful than major life events due to accumulation