PYC 1502 – PSYCHOLOGY IN SOCIETY
EXAM PREP
, ❖ STRESS (Pg. 330 – 341)
EFFECTS OF STRESS:
1. Stress and performance (pg. 330)
Yerkes-Dodaon law:
• Established by Yerkes and Dudson in 1908.
• They stat that performance increases as arousal increases – only true if stress
increases to a moderate level. When arousal increases too much performance
decreases.
➢ Exam question: “what will you do if performance drop due to boredom?”
▪ Take the complexity and novelty of the task into consideration.
▪ Keep stimulation moderate.
2. Stress and health:
• Disease starts and develops in the presence of stress. Chronic stress leads to illnesses.
• Chronic stress:
➢ Prolonged stress over a period of 2 years
➢ Lead to psychomatic diseases (harmful changes in body functions)
➢ People differ in the conditions they develop
• Response specificity – EKSAMEN VRAAG! (pg. 331)
➢ The specific response pattern in reaction to stress.
• Burnout:
➢ Prolonged experience to stress.
➢ People feel emotionally drained, empty and alienated from the people around them.
THE PROCESS OF STRESS:
The general adaption syndrome (GAS) – baie belangrik!
1. GAS:
a. Hans Selye (1976; 1993)
b. It suggests the pattern in which people react to stressors, regardless of the
nature of the stressor.
c. See stress as a three phase process:
i. Alarm and mobilisation phase
Become aware of a stressor. You are alarmed. You experience shock.
Your body produces hormones so that you can handle the situation/to
mobilise the situation.
EXAM PREP
, ❖ STRESS (Pg. 330 – 341)
EFFECTS OF STRESS:
1. Stress and performance (pg. 330)
Yerkes-Dodaon law:
• Established by Yerkes and Dudson in 1908.
• They stat that performance increases as arousal increases – only true if stress
increases to a moderate level. When arousal increases too much performance
decreases.
➢ Exam question: “what will you do if performance drop due to boredom?”
▪ Take the complexity and novelty of the task into consideration.
▪ Keep stimulation moderate.
2. Stress and health:
• Disease starts and develops in the presence of stress. Chronic stress leads to illnesses.
• Chronic stress:
➢ Prolonged stress over a period of 2 years
➢ Lead to psychomatic diseases (harmful changes in body functions)
➢ People differ in the conditions they develop
• Response specificity – EKSAMEN VRAAG! (pg. 331)
➢ The specific response pattern in reaction to stress.
• Burnout:
➢ Prolonged experience to stress.
➢ People feel emotionally drained, empty and alienated from the people around them.
THE PROCESS OF STRESS:
The general adaption syndrome (GAS) – baie belangrik!
1. GAS:
a. Hans Selye (1976; 1993)
b. It suggests the pattern in which people react to stressors, regardless of the
nature of the stressor.
c. See stress as a three phase process:
i. Alarm and mobilisation phase
Become aware of a stressor. You are alarmed. You experience shock.
Your body produces hormones so that you can handle the situation/to
mobilise the situation.
