Description
Assignment 1: LASA 2: Effects of Stress
Provide a 1-page description of a stressful event currently occurring in your life. Then, referring to information you learned throughout this course, address the following:
- What physiological changes occur in the brain due to the stress response?
- What emotional and cognitive effects might occur due to this stressful situation?
- Would the above changes (physiological, cognitive, or emotional) be any different if the same stress were being experienced by a person of the opposite sex or someone much older or younger than you?
- If the situation continues, how might your physical health be affected?
- What three behavioral strategies would you implement to reduce the effects of this stressor? Describe each strategy. Explain how each behavior could cause changes in brain physiology (e.g., exercise can raise serotonin levels).
- If you were encouraging an adult client to make the above changes, what ethical considerations would you have to keep in mind? How would you address those ethical considerations?
In addition to citing the online course and the text, you are also required to cite a minimum of two scholarly sources. Please see the Academic Resources section under Course Home to use the Argosy University online library to find appropriate scholarly sources. For reputable web sources, look for .gov or .edu sites as opposed to .com sites. Please do not use Wikipedia.
Your paper should be double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, and with normal 1-inch margins; written in APA style; and free of typographical and grammatical errors. It should include a title page with a running head, an abstract, and a reference page. The body of the paper should be at least 6 pages in length.
Save the response as AU_PSY350_M5_A1_LastName_FirstInitial.doc. Submit your response to the M5 Assignment 1 LASA 2 Dropbox by Monday, September 5, 2016.
| Assignment 1 Grading Criteria | Maximum Points |
| Described a stressful event. | 20 |
| Explained the physiological changes that occur in the brain due to the stress response. | 36 |
| Explained the emotional and cognitive effects that may occur due to this stressful situation. | 32 |
| Analyzed potential differences in physiological, cognitive, and emotional responses in someone of a different age or sex. | 32 |
| Discussed the physical health risks. | 28 |
| Provided three behavioral strategies to reduce the effects of the stressor and explained how each could cause changes in brain physiology. | 40 |
| Analyzed ethical considerations in implementing behavioral strategies and offered suggestions for addressing these. | 40 |
| Integrated at least two scholarly references to support ideas. | 8 |
| Organization (16 points): Introduction, transitions, and conclusion. Style (8 points): Tone, audience, and word choice. Usage and Mechanics (16 points): Grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. APA Elements (24 points): In-text citations and references, paraphrasing, and appropriate use of quotations and other elements of style. | 64 |
| Total: | 300 |
Explanation & Answer
Hello, I completed the assignment. Please see attached. Don't forget to put your name on the first page and to save the document as AU_PSY350_M5_A1_LastName_FirstInitial.doc. I don't know what your name is, so you can do that. I would like to let you know that I used scholarly websites, books, and websites than end in .edu or .gov. I avoided .com or .org. If you have any questions, I'm a message away. Thanks.Hebeh Hindieh
Running Head: Effects of Stress
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Assignment 1: LASA 2
Effects of Stress
Name
Argosy University
Running Head: Effects of Stress
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Abstract
Stress is a difficulty or adversity from a flight-or-fight response which has physiological,
emotional, and cognitive effects. Stress causes human distress and dysfunction. This could
because of life changes like getting married, having a baby, doing poorly in school, losing a best
friend, and so on. Under stress, some people are impaired. Others improve. Cooper & Pervin,
2012, p. 190-195). Physiological changes occur in the brain due to a stress response in the
amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Cortisol has a major role in the way the body
functions during stress. There are many emotional and cognitive effects that might occur,
because of a stressful situation. The way a stressor is perceived, recalled, or how a stressful event
is resolved has to do with changes in cognitive function (Cooper & Pervin, 2012, p. 191). There
is a great difference to the way men and women deal with stress. Women tend to have greater
distress and a social responsibility. Men tend to fight or flee from a stressful event.
Physiological, cognitive, and emotional changes would be different if someone was much older
or younger than me depending on cultural and social pressure culturally and socially which
affects how they would deal with stress (Taylor et al., 2000, p. 411-429). People may experience
stress and this affects their physical health. “Almost all body systems (the heart and blood
vessels, immune system, lungs, digestive system, sensory organs, and brain) gear up to meet
perceived danger.”
Keywords: stress, stress response, fight-or-flight, cortisol, women, men, physiological,
cognitive, emotional, body systems
Running Head: Effects of Stress
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Assignment 1: LASA 2: Effects of Stress
Introduction
Stress is a difficulty or adversity which has physiological, emotional, and cognitive
effects. Stress causes human suffering and dysfunction. This could because of ordinary life or
life changes like getting married, having a baby, doing poorly in school, losing a best friend, and
so on. Under stress, some people are impaired. Others improve. Cooper & Pervin, 2012, p. 190195). Physiological changes occur in the brain due to a stress response in the amygdala,
hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Cortisol has a major role in the way the body functions
during stress. There are many emotional and cognitive effects that might occur, because of a
stressful situation. The way a stressor is perceived, recalled, or how a stressful event is resolved
has to do with changes in cognitive function. Cognitively, people are unable to focus and don’t
pay attention when under stress. Emotionally, people could feel angry, offended, nervous, bad,
sad, happy, or hopeful (Cooper & Pervin, 2012, p. 191). There is a great difference to the way
men and women deal with stress and how old they are. To cope or reduce stress, people should
sleep well, exercise, and practice relaxation according to the correct guidelines.
Stressful Event that Occurred in my Life
As a high school student, I made good grades. I would read the chapters, listen in class,
take notes, do my homework, and study well for tests. I had difficult in my Algebra II class. I
thought I mastered the material, but after I got my grade I was distressed. I couldn’t help but
want to cry.
Running Head: Effects of Stress
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It really affected me, because I was look forward to actually learning and having a good
GPA. My thoughts were consumed about this test and future tests in this class. I would
constantly worry. I started having bad days after I got my test back. I would feel down most of
the time. I felt threatened like a chemical reaction was going on through my body to prevent a
wound. I had a fight-or-flight response due to stress.
My heart rate increased as well as my breathing. I felt my muscles tighten, and blood
pressure increase. My parents asked me about my grades and how I was doing in school. I told
them the truth but I had difficulty relaxing my body and mind. I would start to get headaches,
nervousness, and shaking. They were always looking for that A++. I had to work harder and
figure out what went wrong on that test. I felt like I disappointed them and myself.
To cope with the stress, I spoke with a friend and little did I know, I had a support
system. She was understanding and gave me advice. It really helped me deal with stress by
having a close relationship that was rewarding. After a few weeks, I realized what my mistakes
were and resolved them. I had to review what I learned in Algebra I. The teacher wasn’t going to
go back and teach me the basics. I got together with some friends, and we practiced problems
together. We sometimes did homework together. I learned most of the rules needed to get
problems done in Algebra II. The stress reduced, because I had close relationships that were
rewarding that were willing to help me. Eventually, the stress went away and I got the grade I
was looking for.
Running Head: Effects of Stress
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Physiological Changes that Occur in the Brain Due to a Stress Response
Physiological changes occur in the amygdala, hi...
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