* All the following abstractions are excerpted from <Psychology and Life>, Richard J. Gerrig & Philip G. Zimbardo, 19th edition
Chapter 12 — Emotion, Stress, and Health.
— Emotions
Emotions are complex patterns of changes made up of physiological arousal, cognitive appraisal, and behavioral and expressive reactions.
As a product of evolution, all humans may share a basic set of emotional responses.
Cultures, however, vary in their rules of appropriateness for displaying emotions.
Classic theories emphasize different parts of emotional response, such as peripheral bodily reactions or central neural processes.
More contemporary theories emphasize the appraisal of arousal.
Moods and emotions effect information processing and decision making.
Subjective well-being is influenced by both genetics and life experiences.
— Stress of Living
Stress can arise from negative or positive events. At the root of most stress are change and the need to adapt to environmental, biological, physical, and social demands.
Physiological stress reactions are regulated by the hypothalamus and a complex interaction of the hormonal and nervous systems.
Depending on the type of stressor and its effect over time, stress can be a mild disruption or lead to health-threatening reactions.
Cognitive appraisal is a primary moderator variable of stress.
Coping strategies either focus on problems (taking direct actions) or attempt to regulate emotions (indirect or avoidant).
Cognitive reappraisal and restructuring can be used to cope with stress.
Social support is a also a significant stress moderator, as long as it is appropriate to the circumstances.
Stress can lead to positive changes such as posttraumatic growth.
— Health Psychology
Health Psychology is devoted to treatment and prevention of illness.
The biopsychosocial model of health and illness looks at the connections among physical, emotional, and environmental factors in illness.
Illness prevention focuses on lifestyle factors such as smoking and AIDS-risk behaviors.
Psychological factors influence immune function.
Psychosocial treatment of illness adds another dimension to patient treatment.
Individuals who are characterized by Type A (especially hostile), Type B, and optimistic behavior patterns will experience different likelihoods of illness.
Health-care providers are at risk for burnout, which can be minimized by appropriate situational changes in their helping environment.