conflict, stress, and coping

© West Educational Publishing

Conflict, Stress, and Coping

CHAPTER 16

Stress and conflict are part of everyday life. Those who can use stress as a motivator can achieve greater things.

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Frustration Anxiety

Stress Conflict

Click on a term for more

information.

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Some can be serious, as when airline flights are cancelled or talents or abilities don’t measure up to expectations.

Frustration

Frustration may be defined as the emotion produced when we are blocked from reaching our goals.

Most frustrations are minor (busy signals, traffic slowdowns, late arrivals, etc.).

Click on a term for more information.

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Conflict

Conflict arises when a person needs to decide between two alternatives.

Types of conflict:

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Approach-Approach

The person is attracted to two goals.

The approach - approach conflict is not all bad. You have to decide between two attractive choices.

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Approach - Avoidance

The person is attracted to one goal but it comes with a

negative aspect.

The approach - avoidance conflict can be distressing.

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Avoidance - Avoidance

The person has to choose between them.

The avoidance - avoidance conflict presents two undesirable goals.

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Double Approach - Avoidance

The person has two goals, each has both good and

bad characteristics.

The double approach - avoidance conflict is the most common.


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Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of hopelessness, a feeling of fear or fright. It often follows feelings of frustration and conflict. Anxiety attacks can produce physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, chest pain, breathlessness or headache.


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When stress is good and leads to something desirable such as studying for a big exam and then receiving a good grade on the exam, it is called eustress.

When the stress has negative effects such as confusion, an inability to make decisions, and illness, it is called distress.

StressStress is defined as the physical pressure and strain that result from change.

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Sequence of Steps in the Fight or Flight Behaviors

1. The brain appraises a situation as threatening and dangerous.

2. The lower brain structure secretes a stress hormone.

3. The stress hormone signals the adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline.

4. This causes the muscles to tense, the heart to beat faster, and the liver to send out sugar to be used in the muscles.

Fight or Flight

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The General Adaptation Syndrome

Defined as a series of stages the body goes through when exposed to stressful situations.

1. The alarm stage is the initial stage where the body prepares for attack—either psychological or physical.

2. The second stage is called the stage of resistance. The body uses up a great amount of energy to prepare for the stressor.

3. The third stage is exhaustion. It is marked by body exhaustion and health problems.

Alarm Resistance Exhaustion

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Some Psychological Stressors for High School StudentsLife Event Stress Points

Divorce of parents 98

Expulsion from school 79

Major injury or illness 77

Getting a job 62

Major illness of close friend 56

Peer difficulties 45

Moving away 41

Christmas 30

Vacation 25

Traffic ticket 22Click on a term for more information.

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Coping with Stress

Issue of ControlPeople deal better with stress if they have some degree of control in a stressful situation.

Self-ConceptIf people don’t feel confident (have a positive self-concept), they will become anxious and withdrawn.

Self-EsteemWorthwhile feelings people have. If we are expected to meet impossible standards, we often stop trying at all.

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Regression

Psychological Defense MechanismsPsychological defense mechanisms are distortions (actions) that keep people psychologically stable.

Examples include:

Rationalization Projection Sublimation

Reaction Formation

IntellectualizationIdentification

with the Aggressor

Denial Displacement

RepressionClick on a

term to have it defined.

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Examples include: Click on a term to have it

defined.

Pushing painful material out of consciousness

Regression Rationalization Projection Sublimation

Reaction Formation


with the Aggressor

Denial Displacement

Repression

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defined.

Refusing to admit a problem exists


Reaction Formation


with the Aggressor

Denial Displacement

Repression

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defined.

Venting feelings on something not related to the frustration


Reaction Formation


with the Aggressor

Denial Displacement

Repression

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defined.

Expressing the opposite of what one feels


Reaction Formation


with the Aggressor

Denial Displacement

Repression

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defined.

Taking all feelings out of a frustrating situation


Reaction Formation


with the Aggressor

Denial Displacement

Repression

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defined.

Taking on a punishing person’s characteristics


Reaction Formation


with the Aggressor

Denial Displacement

Repression

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defined.

Moving backward and acting as a helpless child


Reaction Formation


with the Aggressor

Denial Displacement

Repression

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defined.

Explaining a situation to avoid responsibility


Reaction Formation


with the Aggressor

Denial Displacement

Repression

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defined.

Assigning to others our own thoughts and feelings


Reaction Formation


with the Aggressor

Denial Displacement

Repression

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defined.

Channeling emotional energy into constructive or creative activity


Reaction Formation


with the Aggressor

Denial Displacement

Repression

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Healthy Characteristics

Take credit for successes

and responsibility for failures. Learn from

both.

Appreciate life.

Don’t take yourself too

seriously. Keep a sense of humor.

Accept yourself.Take

control of your life as much as

possible.

Develop a sense of

independence.

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Substance Abuse

occurs when the use of drugs interferes with daily life.

occurs when the person has symptoms when using the drug.

occurs when the person uses more and more drugs.

occurs when the person spends large amounts of time in drug use.

Substance abuse

Substance dependence

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heavy alcohol intake affects the liver and brain cells

provides non-nutritional calories

can lead to alcohol withdrawal delirium and hallucinations

synergistic effect increases dangers of alcohol and barbiturates when taken together

Alcoholism

Chemical effects: alcohol is a depressant (too much will lead to unconsciousness). Absorption takes 2-6 hours, depending on weight, amount, food intake, etc.

Physical effects:

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Causes of Alcoholism

No one knows for sure, but factors that may be responsible include

heredity

environment

genetic defects

social training

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Indicators of Alcoholism

Frequent drinking binges. Drunkenness more

than once a week. A steady increase in the amount of alcohol

drunk. Drinking in the morning. Being drunk at school or at work. Blackouts or not remembering events

when drunk. Drinking when confronting a crisis.

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Marijuana

Marijuana distorts and confuses the perception of the world.

The short-term memory system is directly affected.

Nicotine

Nicotine is found in tobacco products. It increases blood pressure and heart rate. It also leads to higher risks of heart disease and lung disease.

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Amphetamines “Uppers” create a sense of excitement,

freedom, and energy. People build tolerance for the drug. Continued usage leads to strange images,

convulsions, and paranoia.

CocaineCocaine, unlike alcohol, is a stimulant. Crack is a form of purified cocaine.

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Steroids are used to increase body mass and muscular size.

Short-term use can cause people to lose control of emotions.

Long-term use can cause serious physical problems including heart trouble and infertility.

LSD

OpiatesOpiates are sedatives that depress the brain. They create a physical dependence.

LSD produces hallucinations and marked changes in behavior.

Steroids

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Summary of Main Topics Covered

Frustration

Conflict

Anxiety

Stress

Coping with Stress

Substance Abuse

Fight vs. FlightGeneral Adaptation SyndromePsychological Stressors{

{Psychological Defense MechanismsHealthy Characteristics

{Alcohol, Marijuana, Nicotine, Amphetamines, Cocaine, Opiates, LSD, Steroids EXIT

conflict, stress, and coping

Documents

approach approach conflict

avoidance avoidance

stress hormone

types of conflict

exitwhen stress

body exhaustion

initial stage

alarm stage