This essay aims to compare and contrast two of the four models of stress; Hans Selye’s (1907-1982) general adaptation syndrome (GAS) and Mowrer (1939) avoidance model. Firstly, the author will give published definitions of the term stress; the author will then briefly discuss the term stress. This essay will look at the Selye (1956) general adaptation syndrome and Mowrer (1939) avoidance model of stress and then compare and contrast both models.
Chorousos et al. (1988) define stress as “the recognition by the body of a stressor and therefore the state of threatened homeostasis”. Schaffer (2000) defines stress as “the arousal of mind and body in response to demands made on them. And according to Sapolsky (1994 p7) a stressor is anything that throws the body out of homeostatic balance, for example, an illness, loud noise, an injury etc. Cox (1978 p. 180) defines stress as a “complex and dynamic system of transaction between the person and his environment”. Based on the published definitions of stress, the author therefore defines stress as anything that causes the body to be uncomforted. Stress can be caused by several different factors ranging from physical (such as fear of something dangerous) to emotional such as worry over children, job, marriage etc.
The term “Stress” was coined by scientist Hans Selye (1907-1982) in 1936. Selye (1926) defined stress as “the non specific response of the body to any demand for change”. Selye (1926) discovered in several laboratory experiments that animals showed similar symptoms when exposed to severe physical and emotional stimuli i.e. extreme heat or cold, loud disturbing noise, etc. Selye (1935) also noted that patients with different illness showed these same similar biological symptoms ...
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...a social, emotional, and physiological approach to stress risk and active behaviour development, In J. Stellman (Ed.). Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Geneva: International Labour Office, 34.6-34.14.
Lazarus, R.S. & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer.
Lazarus, R.S. (1991). Psychological Stress in the Workplace. In P.L.Perrewe (Ed.). Handbook on job stress, Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 6, 1-13.
Mackay C., Cox, T. Burrows, G. Lazzerini (1978). An inventory for the measurement of self-reported stress and arousal. British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 17, 3, 283-4
Welbourne, J.L., Eggerth, D., Hartley, T.A., Andrew, M.E. & Sanchez, F. (2007). Coping strategies in the workplace: Relationships with attributional style and job satisfaction, Journal of Vocational Behavior, 70, 312-325
Shuttleworth, A., (2004). Managing workplace stress: how training can help. Industrial and Commercial Training, 36 (2), 61 – 65.
The term ‘stress’ was generally thought to have been a concept created by Robert Hooke in the 17th century. He worked on the design of physical structures, such as bridges; his concept of stress came from how much pressure a structure could withstand. However, Lazarus (1993) pointed out that the term ‘stress’ has been used as far back as the 14th century, when it meant hardship or adversity. Back then it referred to the external stressor, such as the death of a spouse or financial worry; in the 20th century, there are many different schools of thought on this area. Hans Selye (1956), brought together the work of Cannon and Bernard and devised a comprehensive system of physiological stress; which he termed the ‘General Adaptation Syndrome’, and is a 3-stage process. He theorised that a certain level of stress called ‘eustress’ (Cox, 1978) could actually be beneficial to our overall performance. Later In 1976, Cox & Mackay devised another model called the ‘Transactional model’. This model takes into account the individual differences in the perception of the amount of stress experienced by the person. The main difference between these two models is that Selye’s model only accounts for the physiological side of stress, whereas Cox’s model takes into account both the physiological and psychological aspects of stress. Therefore, both models will have slight similarities and differences in their explanation for how stress occurs in individuals, which is the main focus of this essay.
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE Each bodily physiological system has an individual established set point, or level of balance; however, some fluctuations in these levels are tolerated. The balance of any system can be, and regularly is, disturbed by internal and/or external events of the mechanical, physical, chemical, biological, and/or social types. When this balance is disrupted, and involuntary mobilizations of biological processes are not able to re-establish it, an alarm reaction is activated (Schedlowski and Tewes, 1999). This reaction is referred to as a stress response, and the activating agent is the stressor (Selye, 1936). Recently, studies of stress have shifted from demonstrating relationships between psychological factors and somatic outcomes, to investigations of the mediational pathways involved in these associations. For example, (Cohen and Williamson, 1991) have built on the work of Lazarus’ model by suggesting that once an environmental event is encountered, it is appraised, and an affective response is made.
Stress, as defined as a reaction to a stimulus that breaks our physical and mental harmony, is ubiquitous. However, stress has two sides – the bad and the good, in which the latter is mostly overlooked as most people suffer from the affliction of the former.
Lazarus, R. S. (1966). Stress as a Psychological Problem. Psychological stress and the coping process (p. 3). New York: McGraw-Hill.
The purpose of this paper is to define stress and how it effects the body's physiological systems. This paper will include the normal functions and organs involved in the following five physiological systems, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, immune and musculoskeletal. This paper will also include a description of a chronic illness associated with each physiological system and how the illness is affected by stress.
Many people think of stress as a simple problem. In reality however, stress is complex and often misunderstood. We all know that stress is the body’s reaction to any demand on it. Perceptions of events, whether positive or negative, activate stress. It is, therefore, a highly individual affair. What is stressful to ‘X’ may not be so to another. But it is fairly easy to conclude that everyone lives under a certain amount of stress. In fact, the only people without stress are dead. At the same time it is certainly wrong to conclude that stress is always bad. Mild stress may improve the productivity. It may force people to focus more sharply on the problem and produce solutions. But if stress is severe and persist for long periods of time, it can be harmful. Stress can be disruptive to an individual as any
Scientist Hans Selye (1907 - 1982) introduced the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model in 1936 and it is one of the best known biological theories of stress. The “syndrome provides a summary of the psychological changes that follow stress as the body attempts to return to homeostasis” (Olpin & Hesson, 2009). In his work, “he developed the theory that stress is a major cause of disease because chronic stress causes long-term chemical changes” within the body (Essence of Stress Relief, 2014). He noted that the condition probably represented a manifestation of a widespread “call to arms of the body’s defensive forces in reaction to excessive demands” (Hill Rice, n.d.). He called the excessive demands stressors and the body’s response stress. He believed that our bodies must adapt in some way and “there is a limited supply of adaptive energy to deal with stress” which declines with continuous exposure (Essence of Stress Relief, 2014). He found that our reactions to stress always go in three phases; alarm (“fight or flight” response), resistance (adaptation) and, exhaustion.
Kumar, Anil, Puneet Rinwa, Gurleen Kaur, and Lalit Machawal. "Stress: Neurobiology, consequences, and management." Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, 2013: 1-7.
In Murphy and Shoeborn’s paper, Stress Management in Work Settings, practical information in presented regarding the application of a stress management program within the workplace, along with guidance for creating a “comprehensive stress management program which encourages each individual to become more self-responsible and self-determining, and suggests that the overall program must focus on dynamics within the organization as well as within the individual” (Murphy & Shoenborn, 1987). In addition, Murphy and Shoenborn state that to develop an effective stress management program; several steps as indicated in must be applied as outlined in Figure 3
Stress is not something to be avoided. Everyone feels stressed from time to time and it depends on people that may feel stress in different ways. Not all stress is bad but it depends on how peoples take it. The words “stress” is something all of us have experienced but it seems that there are many different definitions used by psychologist, medics, management consultants or others. Psychologists describe stress as “demands of life” which pointed out as “stressors” and stress is the cause of the worn out tissue of our body (Meenakshisundaram, 2012, p.101). Stress can be divided into four types which are eustress, acute stress, episodic acute stress and chronic stress (illustrated in Figure 1).
Since people are always dealing with certain changes in their lives, they are always dealing with some type of stress. One of the biggest growing issues with stress is stress in the workplace. According to Northwestern National Life, one-fourth of employees view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives (“Stress at Work,” 1999).... ... middle of paper ...
Stress is the combination of psychological, physiological, and behavioral reactions that people have in response to events that threaten or challenge them. Stress can be good or bad. Sometimes, stress is helpful, providing people with the extra energy or alertness they need. Stress could give a runner the edge he or she needs to persevere in a marathon, for example. This good kind of stress is called eustress. Unfortunately, stress is often not helpful and can even be harmful when not managed effectively. Stress could make a salesperson buckle under the pressure while trying to make a sales pitch at an important business meeting, for example. Moreover, stress can increase the risk of developing health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and anxiety disorders. This bad kind of stress is called distress, the kind of stress that people usually are referring to when they use the word stress.
Stress is defined as “any circumstances that threaten or are perceived to threaten one’s well-being and thereby tax one’s coping abilities” (Weiten & Lloyd, 2006, p. 72). Stress is a natural event that exists literally in all areas of one’s life. It can be embedded in the environment, culture, or perception of an event or idea. Stress is a constant burden, and can be detrimental to one’s physical and mental health. However stress can also provide beneficial effects; it can satisfy one’s need for stimulation and challenge, promote personal growth, and can provide an individual with the tools to cope with, and be less affected by tomorrow’s stress (Weiten & Lloyd, 2006, p. 93).
First, stress is defined as an unpleasant state of emotional and physiological arousal that people experience in situations that they perceive as dangerous or threatening to their well being (Patel, 14). Stress is a universal feeling to everyone but the word stress means different things to different people. Some people define stress as events or situations that cause them to feel tension, pressure or negative emotions such as anxiety or anger (Patel, 15). Other people may view stress as a process involving a person’s interpretation and response to a threatening event. In any case, stress has many facets of how one perceives and responds to the certain predicament that is ailing them.