Stress

Stress and
conflict are
part of
everyday life.
Those who can
use stress as a
motivator can
achieve greater
things.
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Conflict,
Stress,
and
Coping

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Click on a term
for more
information.
Frustration

Anxiety

Stress
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Conflict
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Frustration
Frustration may be defined as the
emotion produced when we are
blocked from reaching our goals.
Most frustrations are minor (busy signals,
traffic slowdowns, late arrivals, etc.).
Some can be serious, as when airline
flights are cancelled or talents or
abilities dont measure up to
expectations.
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Conflict
Conflict arises when a person needs to decide
between two alternatives.
Types of conflict:

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Approach-Approach
The approach - approach conflict is not all bad. You
have to decide between two attractive choices.

The person is
attracted to two goals.
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Approach - Avoidance
The approach - avoidance conflict can be distressing.

The person is attracted to

one goal but it comes with a
negative aspect.
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Avoidance - Avoidance
The avoidance - avoidance conflict presents two
undesirable goals.

The person has to

choose between them.
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Double Approach - Avoidance

The double approach - avoidance conflict is the
most common.

The person has two goals,

each has both good and
bad characteristics.
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Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of hopelessness, a feeling of
fear or fright. It often follows feelings of
frustration and conflict. Anxiety attacks can
produce physical symptoms such as rapid
heartbeat, chest pain, breathlessness or headache.

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more information.

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Stress
Stress is defined as the physical
pressure and strain that result
from change.
When stress is good and leads to
something desirable such as
studying for a big exam and then
receiving a good grade on the exam,
it is called eustress.
When the stress has negative effects such as confusion, an
inability to make decisions, and illness, it is called distress.

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Fight or Flight
Sequence of Steps in the Fight or Flight Behaviors
1. The brain appraises a situation as threatening
and dangerous.
2. The lower brain structure secretes a
stress hormone.
3. The stress hormone signals the adrenal glands
to secrete adrenaline.
4. This causes the muscles to tense, the heart to
beat faster, and the liver to send out sugar to
be used in the muscles.
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The General Adaptation Syndrome

Defined as a series of stages the body goes through when
exposed to stressful situations.
1. The alarm stage is the initial stage where the body
prepares for attackeither psychological or physical.
2. The second stage is called
the stage of resistance. The
body uses up a great
amount of energy to
prepare for the stressor.

Alarm Resistance Exhaustion

3. The third stage is exhaustion. It is marked by

body exhaustion and health problems.
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Some Psychological Stressors for High School Students

Life Event

Stress Points

Divorce of parents

98

Expulsion from school

79

Major injury or illness

77

Getting a job

62

Major illness of close friend

56

Peer difficulties

45

Moving away

41

Christmas

30

Vacation

25

Traffic ticket
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Coping with Stress

Issue of Control
People deal better with stress if they have some degree of
control in a stressful situation.

Self-Concept
If people dont feel confident (have a positive
self-concept), they will become anxious and
withdrawn.

Self-Esteem
Worthwhile feelings people have. If we are
expected to meet impossible standards, we often
stop trying at all.
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Psychological Defense Mechanisms

Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions)
that keep people psychologically stable.
Examples include:

Click on a
term to have it
defined.

Repression
Denial
Reaction
Formation
Regression

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Displacement

Intellectualization

Rationalization

Identification
with the
Aggressor

Projection

Sublimation

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Psychological Defense Mechanisms

Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions)
that keep people psychologically stable.
Examples include:

Click on a
term to have it
defined.

Repression
Denial
Reaction
Formation
Regression

Displacement

Intellectualization

Rationalization

Identification
with the
Aggressor

Projection

Sublimation

Pushing painful material out of consciousness

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Psychological Defense Mechanisms

Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions)
that keep people psychologically stable.
Examples include:

Click on a
term to have it
defined.

Repression
Denial
Reaction
Formation
Regression

Displacement

Intellectualization

Rationalization

Identification
with the
Aggressor

Projection

Sublimation

Refusing to admit a problem exists

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Psychological Defense Mechanisms

Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions)
that keep people psychologically stable.
Examples include:

Click on a
term to have it
defined.

Repression
Denial
Reaction
Formation
Regression

Displacement

Intellectualization

Rationalization

Identification
with the
Aggressor

Projection

Sublimation

Venting feelings on something not related to the frustration

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Psychological Defense Mechanisms

Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions)
that keep people psychologically stable.
Examples include:

Click on a
term to have it
defined.

Repression
Denial
Reaction
Formation
Regression

Displacement

Intellectualization

Rationalization

Identification
with the
Aggressor

Projection

Sublimation

Expressing the opposite of what one feels

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Psychological Defense Mechanisms

Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions)
that keep people psychologically stable.
Examples include:

Click on a
term to have it
defined.

Repression
Denial
Reaction
Formation
Regression

Displacement

Intellectualization

Rationalization

Identification
with the
Aggressor

Projection

Sublimation

Taking all feelings out of a frustrating situation

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Psychological Defense Mechanisms

Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions)
that keep people psychologically stable.
Examples include:

Click on a
term to have it
defined.

Repression
Denial
Reaction
Formation
Regression

Displacement

Intellectualization

Rationalization

Identification
with the
Aggressor

Projection

Sublimation

Taking on a punishing persons characteristics

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Psychological Defense Mechanisms

Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions)
that keep people psychologically stable.
Examples include:

Click on a
term to have it
defined.

Repression
Denial
Reaction
Formation
Regression

Displacement

Intellectualization

Rationalization

Identification
with the
Aggressor

Projection

Sublimation

Moving backward and acting as a helpless child

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Psychological Defense Mechanisms

Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions)
that keep people psychologically stable.
Examples include:

Click on a
term to have it
defined.

Repression
Denial
Reaction
Formation
Regression

Displacement

Intellectualization

Rationalization

Identification
with the
Aggressor

Projection

Sublimation

Explaining a situation to avoid responsibility

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Psychological Defense Mechanisms

Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions)
that keep people psychologically stable.
Examples include:

Click on a
term to have it
defined.

Repression
Denial
Reaction
Formation
Regression

Displacement

Intellectualization

Rationalization

Identification
with the
Aggressor

Projection

Sublimation

Assigning to others our own thoughts and feelings

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Psychological Defense Mechanisms

Psychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions)
that keep people psychologically stable.
Examples include:

Click on a
term to have it
defined.

Repression
Denial
Reaction
Formation
Regression

Displacement

Intellectualization

Rationalization

Identification
with the
Aggressor

Projection

Sublimation

Channeling emotional energy into

constructive or creative activity
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Healthy Characteristics

Take
control of your life
as much as
possible.

Accept
yourself.

Appreciate
life.
Develop a
sense of
independence.

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Dont take
yourself too
seriously. Keep a
sense of humor.

Take credit
for successes
and responsibility for
failures. Learn from
both.
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Substance Abuse
Substance abuse
occurs when the use of drugs interferes with
daily life.
Substance dependence
occurs when the person has symptoms
when using the drug.
occurs when the person uses more and
more drugs.
occurs when the person spends large
amounts of time in drug use.
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Alcoholism
Chemical effects: alcohol is a depressant (too much will lead
to unconsciousness). Absorption takes 2-6 hours, depending
on weight, amount, food intake, etc.
Physical effects:
heavy alcohol intake affects the liver and brain cells
provides non-nutritional calories
can lead to alcohol withdrawal delirium and
hallucinations
synergistic effect increases dangers of alcohol and
barbiturates when taken together
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Causes of Alcoholism
No one knows for sure, but factors that may be
responsible include
heredity
environment
genetic defects
social training

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Indicators of Alcoholism
Frequent drinking binges. Drunkenness more
than once a week.
A steady increase in the amount of alcohol
drunk.
Drinking in the morning.
Being drunk at school or at work.
Blackouts or not remembering events
when drunk.
Drinking when confronting a crisis.
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Marijuana
Marijuana distorts and confuses the perception
of the world.
The short-term memory system is directly
affected.
Nicotine
Nicotine is found in tobacco products. It
increases blood pressure and heart rate. It
also leads to higher risks of heart disease and
lung disease.
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Amphetamines
Uppers create a sense of excitement,
freedom, and energy.
People build tolerance for the drug.
Continued usage leads to strange images,
convulsions, and paranoia.

Cocaine
Cocaine, unlike alcohol, is a stimulant.
Crack is a form of purified cocaine.

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Opiates
Opiates are sedatives that depress the brain.
They create a physical dependence.

LSD
LSD produces hallucinations and marked changes
in behavior.

Steroids

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Steroids are used to increase

body mass and muscular size.
Short-term use can cause
people to lose control of
emotions.
Long-term use can cause
serious physical problems
including heart trouble and
infertility.
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Summary of Main
Topics Covered
Frustration
Conflict
Anxiety
Stress

Fight vs. Flight

General Adaptation Syndrome
Psychological Stressors

Coping with Stress

Substance Abuse
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Psychological Defense Mechanisms

Healthy Characteristics

Alcohol, Marijuana, Nicotine,

Amphetamines, Cocaine,
Opiates, LSD, Steroids

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