How do psychologists explain the causes and effects of stress, and how can stress be managed?
Stress: the body's stress response and the sources of stress, explanations and effects (the physiology of stress, life changes and daily hassles, workplace stress), and methods of managing stress (biological - drugs; psychological - CBT, biofeedback, stress inoculation). One of six Component 3 behaviours.
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to stress, one of the six Component 3 behaviours. Covers the physiology of the stress response, sources of stress (life changes, daily hassles, work), the effects of stress, and methods of managing it (drugs, biofeedback, CBT and stress inoculation), with evaluation for the Implications in the Real World paper.
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What this dot point is asking
Stress is one of the six Component 3 behaviours (you study three). You must describe the stress response and sources of stress, explain its effects, and describe at least one method of managing stress, then evaluate and apply this.
The answer
The stress response
Sources and effects
Methods of managing stress
- Biological. Anti-anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines enhancing GABA), beta-blockers reducing physical symptoms.
- Psychological. Stress inoculation training (a cognitive-behavioural approach: conceptualisation, skills acquisition, application), biofeedback (learning to control physiological arousal), and CBT.
- Lifestyle and social. Exercise, relaxation, time management and social support.
Examples in context
Example 1. Why chronic stress causes illness. Prolonged cortisol from the HPA axis suppresses immune function, so chronically stressed people are more prone to infection and slower healing. This links the physiology directly to the real-world health effects the component emphasises.
Example 2. Drugs versus stress inoculation. Benzodiazepines quickly reduce arousal but do not change the situation or build skills, so symptoms return when the drug stops; stress inoculation training takes longer but equips the person to cope with future stressors. This is the symptom-versus-cause judgement.
Try this
Q1. Name the hormone released by the HPA axis in chronic stress and one effect of prolonged release. [2 marks]
- Cue. Cortisol; prolonged release can suppress the immune system (raising illness risk) and contribute to cardiovascular problems.
Q2. Identify two sources of stress. [2 marks]
- Cue. Life changes (major events such as bereavement or moving), daily hassles (accumulating minor irritations), or workplace stressors (workload, low control).
Q3. Describe one psychological method of managing stress. [3 marks]
- Cue. Stress inoculation training is a cognitive-behavioural approach (conceptualisation, skills acquisition, application) that builds coping skills; or biofeedback teaches control of physiological arousal.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas 201910 marksDescribe the body's response to stress and two sources of stress. [10 marks]Show worked answer →
A description item (AO1).
The stress response: an acute stressor activates the sympathomedullary pathway (the sympathetic nervous system and adrenal medulla), releasing adrenaline for the fight-or-flight response (raised heart rate, breathing and alertness). A chronic stressor activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, releasing cortisol, which sustains the response but, if prolonged, can suppress the immune system and harm health.
Sources of stress: life changes (major events such as bereavement, divorce or moving house, measured by tools like the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, requiring readjustment); daily hassles (minor everyday irritations that accumulate); and workplace stressors (workload, lack of control, role conflict).
Markers reward an accurate account of the acute and/or chronic stress response and two clear sources of stress.
Eduqas 202112 marksDiscuss one method of managing stress. [12 marks]Show worked answer →
A discussion item (AO1 plus AO3) reaching a judgement.
A strong answer describes one method, for example a biological method (anti-anxiety drugs such as benzodiazepines that enhance GABA to reduce arousal, or beta-blockers that reduce the physical symptoms of stress), or a psychological method (stress inoculation training, a cognitive-behavioural approach with conceptualisation, skills acquisition and application phases; or biofeedback, learning to control physiological arousal).
It then evaluates: biological methods are fast and effective but treat symptoms not causes, can cause dependence and side effects; psychological methods address the causes and build lasting skills but take time, effort and motivation.
It reaches a judgement: psychological methods tend to give more durable benefits by tackling causes, while drugs are useful for rapid relief, so a combined approach is often best. Markers reward an accurate method, balanced evaluation and a conclusion.
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Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCE A Level in Psychology (A290) specification — Eduqas (2015)