Han Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Which of the following best describes Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Label the graph to represent Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model

a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

Time

Energy

Exhaustion

Shock

Recovery

Alarm reaction

Normal level of resistance to stress

Countershock

Resistance to stress

Resistance

For the past few months, Laura has been experiencing a lot of stress with the arrival of her new baby and being a single mother. When she first brought her baby home, she felt like she was coping; however, after a few months of sleep deprivation and no support, she was experiencing daily migraines, which prevented her from being able to care for her baby properly.

In terms of Se lye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), it is most likely that when Laura first brought her baby home, she was in the ​ (a)   stage; however, her inability to care for her baby properly due to her daily migraines is indicative of the ​ (b)   stage.

• resistance
• exhaustion
• alarm reaction
• shock
• countershock

Which of the following is not considered a limitation of Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome?

• it does not account for psychological responses to stress

• it does not account for individual variation in stress response

• the stages of the model are difficult to distinguish experimentally

• it does not consider physiological responses to stress

Manjot lost her job as a waitress. This made her struggle to pay her rent, and other liabilities. This was causing her significant stress. To cope with the stress, she was submitting a large number of job applications, as well as studying at university in the hope of gaining additional qualifications to assist her in obtaining a new job. Although she appeared to be coping well, Manjot began to show symptoms of a cold.

What stage of GAS is Manjot likely in?

• The exhaustion stage, shown by the fact her immune system has deteriorated and she has a cold

• The resistance stage, as she is in the process of coping with the stressor, and is showing the immunosuppressive effects of cortisol

• The exhaustion stage, as she is failing to cope with the stressor, struggling to pay her rent and other liabilities

• The alarm reaction stage, as Manjot has begun to cope with the stressor

During which stage of GAS does a person's ability to resist a stressor drop below normal and the body's resources become depleted?

• shock

• alarm reaction

• resistance

• exhaustion

According to GAS, if a person experiences a sudden drop in blood pressure it is likely that they are in

• countershock substage of alarm reaction stage

• shock substage of alarm reaction stage

• shock substage of resistance stage

• shock substage of exhaustion stage

Name each stage of GAS as it applies to each role of cortisol given in the table

a

b

c

Exhaustion

Recovery

Resistance

Endurance

Countershock

Alarm reaction

The alarm reaction stage of GAS consists of two substages: They are ​ (a)   , where we first perceive a ​threat and our resistance ​ (b)   ; and ​ (c)   , which is characterised by the activation of the ​ (d)   nervous system and the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline

• shock
• falls below normal
• countershock
• sympathetic
• resistance
• exhaustion
• parasympathetic
• increases above normal

According to GAS, when is cortisol released in response to prolonged stress?

• resistance stage

• countershock substage

• alarm reaction stage

• alarm reaction and resistance stage