TERM 1
Psychoneuroimmunology
DEFINITION 1
Psychoneuroimmunology is the study of the interaction
between psychological processes and the nervous and
immune systems of the human body. Studies the effect of
stress on physical health
TERM 2
significance of biological factors in health and
illness, paying special attention to the role of
the immune system.
DEFINITION 2
The immune system consistently seeks and destroys
pathogens and creates antibodies against future attacks. A
weakened immune system, whether through the stressors of
life or a biological deficiency, creates a greater chance of
illness along with higher risk for serious complications from
even the simplest diseases.
TERM 3
Define what is meant by the term "stress",
physically and psychologically
DEFINITION 3
Stress is pressure or force, either liter ally or figuratively placed on
something (like a human body) Physic ally, an example would be
rocks falling during a landslide and the force causing actual
imprints in teh ground. Psychologically , an example would be
pressure or demand that is placed on an organism to adjust (like
coping with a traumatic incident)
TERM 4
How does stress affect immunological
functioning?
DEFINITION 4
Investigations found that when under severe stress, you are
more likely to become sick when exposed to pathogens, and
perhaps even have a longer recovery period. (e.g.
psychological stress increases the rick of developing a cold)
TERM 5
Define "adjustment disorder" and describe the
features of adjustment disorders.
DEFINITION 5
Adjustment disorder is defined as a malad aptive reaction to a stressor
that may take the form or impaired funct ions, like difficulty concentrating
(e.g. you separate from a long term relat ionship and end up failing an
easy exam the next day because you cou ldn't focus). Symptoms range
from depression to anger to anxiety, and are categorized into six
subtypes:Adjustment Disorder with depres sed mood, Adjustment
Disorder with anxiety, Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood mixed
with anxiety, Adjustment Disorder with distu rbance of conduct,
Adjustment Disorder with mixed disturbanc e, Adjustment Disorder
unspecified.
