WJEC Psychology: The biological
approach: Evaluation of, WJEC Psychology
Stress Criminology Mastery.(complete
revision with questions and answers).
-The explanations have clear variables that can be measured, tracked and examined
-Conducts objective, well controlled studies and demonstrate causal relationships -
ANSWER Strength: Scientific approach
-If we know what predetermines our behaviour we are more likely to be able to treat
people with that behaviour - ANSWER Strength: Determinist Approach
-Cherek's study
-Drug therapy successes - ANSWER Strength: Successful applications
-Reduces complex behaviours to a set of simple explanations
-Reductionism may result in losing a real understanding of what we are investigating
- ANSWER Weaknesses: Reductionist approach
-Mental illness has many causes but the biological approach tends to focus on just
the nature and ignores life experiences - ANSWER Weaknesses: Nature rather than
Nurture
-The biological approach is nomathetic looking to make generalisations meaning it
tends to ignore differences between them - ANSWER Weaknesses: Individual
differences
Characteristics - ANSWER Two main elements: as a physical response and as a
psychological response. There are three different types of stress: acute, episodic
acute stress and chronic stress. There are three effects: physical, psychological and
lifestyle.
Stress as a Physical Response (C) - ANSWER Selye ('36) research on rats and
described a general physical response to stress that involves the activation of the
nervous system to release hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline that make us
more able to deal with the stressor.
Stress as a Psychological Response (C) - ANSWER Depends on how we perceive
it. Lazarus & Folkman ('84) proposed a transactional model of stress. Stress is seen
as an interaction between the person and the environment. When a stressor is
experienced, the person makes a judgement as to whether they have resources
available to cope with it.
Stress as a Psychological Response - The Primary Appraisal (C) - ANSWER
Involves a consideration of whether the threat is significant to the individual and
whether it's harmful or challenging in any way.
, WJEC Psychology: The biological
approach: Evaluation of, WJEC Psychology
Stress Criminology Mastery.(complete
revision with questions and answers).
Stress as a Psychological Response - The Secondary Appraisal (C) - ANSWER A
consideration of the resources available to combat the stressor.
Acute Stress (C) - ANSWER Most common form of stress experienced. It is the
response to an immediate threat such as taking an exam or a deadline at work.
Episodic Acute Stress (C) - ANSWER Repeated instances of short term stress, e.g
taking on too much work, which means the individual is experiencing frequent
demands on their time. Occasionally this stress will cease, unlike chronic stress. For
individuals experiencing this kind of stress it can become part of their personality and
normal life.
Chronic Stress (C) - ANSWER Persists over long periods of time such as that
caused by poverty or persistent relationship problems. An individual suffering from
chronic stress will see no escape from a never ending situation and it can be very
difficult to treat and manage as the individual have gotten used to it being there.
Physical Effects of Stress (C) - ANSWER As a result of the overarousal of the
body's systems, e.g increased blood pressure and sweaty palms. Might also
experience muscular problems such as tension headache or stomach problems like
heartburn. Both acute and chronic stress can have long term effects leading to
physical illness. Studies have shown stress can damage the immune system and
leave individuals vulnerable to infection and illness, e.g coronary heart disease.
Psychological Effect of Stress (C) - ANSWER Lead to individuals feeling isolated
and having low self esteem. Stress itself is not classified as a mental illness, stress
can cause mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Stress can also
be a effect of mental health problems as individuals struggle to cope with managing
their symptoms.
Lifestyle Effect of Stress (C) - ANSWER Many of these psychological and physical
effects are compounded by changes in lifestyle as an individual tries to cope with
their stress e.g smoking or drinking alcohol as a coping mechanism. They could also
develop nervous habits e.g nail biting and may experience problems with sleep,
which can then have detrimental effects on health and stress levels.
Biological Explanations of Stress (B) - ANSWER Adrenaline and acute stress (B1),
and cortisol and chronic stress (B2)
The Sympathomedullary Pathway - SAM (B1) - ANSWER When a person
perceives a threat, the hypothalamus is alerted and coordinates a response from the
autonomic nervous system (ANS). It arouses the sympathetic branch of the ANS.
approach: Evaluation of, WJEC Psychology
Stress Criminology Mastery.(complete
revision with questions and answers).
-The explanations have clear variables that can be measured, tracked and examined
-Conducts objective, well controlled studies and demonstrate causal relationships -
ANSWER Strength: Scientific approach
-If we know what predetermines our behaviour we are more likely to be able to treat
people with that behaviour - ANSWER Strength: Determinist Approach
-Cherek's study
-Drug therapy successes - ANSWER Strength: Successful applications
-Reduces complex behaviours to a set of simple explanations
-Reductionism may result in losing a real understanding of what we are investigating
- ANSWER Weaknesses: Reductionist approach
-Mental illness has many causes but the biological approach tends to focus on just
the nature and ignores life experiences - ANSWER Weaknesses: Nature rather than
Nurture
-The biological approach is nomathetic looking to make generalisations meaning it
tends to ignore differences between them - ANSWER Weaknesses: Individual
differences
Characteristics - ANSWER Two main elements: as a physical response and as a
psychological response. There are three different types of stress: acute, episodic
acute stress and chronic stress. There are three effects: physical, psychological and
lifestyle.
Stress as a Physical Response (C) - ANSWER Selye ('36) research on rats and
described a general physical response to stress that involves the activation of the
nervous system to release hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline that make us
more able to deal with the stressor.
Stress as a Psychological Response (C) - ANSWER Depends on how we perceive
it. Lazarus & Folkman ('84) proposed a transactional model of stress. Stress is seen
as an interaction between the person and the environment. When a stressor is
experienced, the person makes a judgement as to whether they have resources
available to cope with it.
Stress as a Psychological Response - The Primary Appraisal (C) - ANSWER
Involves a consideration of whether the threat is significant to the individual and
whether it's harmful or challenging in any way.
, WJEC Psychology: The biological
approach: Evaluation of, WJEC Psychology
Stress Criminology Mastery.(complete
revision with questions and answers).
Stress as a Psychological Response - The Secondary Appraisal (C) - ANSWER A
consideration of the resources available to combat the stressor.
Acute Stress (C) - ANSWER Most common form of stress experienced. It is the
response to an immediate threat such as taking an exam or a deadline at work.
Episodic Acute Stress (C) - ANSWER Repeated instances of short term stress, e.g
taking on too much work, which means the individual is experiencing frequent
demands on their time. Occasionally this stress will cease, unlike chronic stress. For
individuals experiencing this kind of stress it can become part of their personality and
normal life.
Chronic Stress (C) - ANSWER Persists over long periods of time such as that
caused by poverty or persistent relationship problems. An individual suffering from
chronic stress will see no escape from a never ending situation and it can be very
difficult to treat and manage as the individual have gotten used to it being there.
Physical Effects of Stress (C) - ANSWER As a result of the overarousal of the
body's systems, e.g increased blood pressure and sweaty palms. Might also
experience muscular problems such as tension headache or stomach problems like
heartburn. Both acute and chronic stress can have long term effects leading to
physical illness. Studies have shown stress can damage the immune system and
leave individuals vulnerable to infection and illness, e.g coronary heart disease.
Psychological Effect of Stress (C) - ANSWER Lead to individuals feeling isolated
and having low self esteem. Stress itself is not classified as a mental illness, stress
can cause mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Stress can also
be a effect of mental health problems as individuals struggle to cope with managing
their symptoms.
Lifestyle Effect of Stress (C) - ANSWER Many of these psychological and physical
effects are compounded by changes in lifestyle as an individual tries to cope with
their stress e.g smoking or drinking alcohol as a coping mechanism. They could also
develop nervous habits e.g nail biting and may experience problems with sleep,
which can then have detrimental effects on health and stress levels.
Biological Explanations of Stress (B) - ANSWER Adrenaline and acute stress (B1),
and cortisol and chronic stress (B2)
The Sympathomedullary Pathway - SAM (B1) - ANSWER When a person
perceives a threat, the hypothalamus is alerted and coordinates a response from the
autonomic nervous system (ANS). It arouses the sympathetic branch of the ANS.
