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GAS Model

The document discusses the concept of stress, defining it as a dynamic state of adaptation in response to environmental demands, and outlines the three stages of stress response: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. Each stage is characterized by specific physiological and psychological responses, with the alarm stage involving a 'fight or flight' response, the resistance stage focusing on adaptation, and the exhaustion stage leading to depletion of resources and potential health risks. Additionally, the document critiques Selye's model for its limited consideration of psychological factors and individual coping strategies.

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Soumi Dey
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89 views3 pages

GAS Model

The document discusses the concept of stress, defining it as a dynamic state of adaptation in response to environmental demands, and outlines the three stages of stress response: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. Each stage is characterized by specific physiological and psychological responses, with the alarm stage involving a 'fight or flight' response, the resistance stage focusing on adaptation, and the exhaustion stage leading to depletion of resources and potential health risks. Additionally, the document critiques Selye's model for its limited consideration of psychological factors and individual coping strategies.

Uploaded by

Soumi Dey
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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 Stress is “a state manifested by a specific syndrome which consists of all the nonspecifically

induced changes within the biological system” (Selye, 1976b, p. 64).

 According to Wolff (1964), “stress is a dynamic state within an organism in response to a


demand for adaptation and since life itself entails constant adaptation, living creatures are
constantly in a state of more or less stress”.

 According to Mcgrath (1970), “stress occurs when there is substantial imbalance between
environmental demand and the response capability”.

 Stress is a transactional process occurring when an event is perceived as relevant to an


individual’s well-being, has the potential for harm or loss, and requires psychological,
physiological, and/or behavioral efforts to manage the event and its outcomes” (Lazarus &
Folkman, 1984)

1. THE ALARM STAGE

2. The alarm reaction is essentially the emergency response of the body often known as a
“fight or flight response”.

3. Contains two substages: shock phase and the countershock phase.

4. Some Physical signs of being in the alarm response stage include: Dilated pupils, Increased
heart rate, Rapid breathin, Trembling, Pale or flushed skin, Heightened senses.

5. It arouses the sympathetic nervous system and activates organs of the body that have direct
connections to adrenal glands and which stimulates the release of epinephrine and
norepinephrine into the bloodstream.

6. Here the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis of stress response is activated. The


hypothalamus triggers the pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone that
causes the adrenal gland to release cortisol into the blood system.
7. At the psychological level alarm response consists of a heightened sense of anxiety which
arouses and mobilizes defense.

8. Defense mechanisms used - rationalization and denial. The strength of the alarm reaction
depends on the degree to which the event is perceived as a threat.

THE RESISTENCE STAGE

1. It is a maximum adaptation phase. The individual puts efforts to overcome stress, learns to
adapt and continues to resist stress stimuli thereby decreasing resistance to other stimuli.

2. Governed by a part of the ANS called the parasympathetic nervous system.

3. The sympathetic nervous system reactions become less prominent.

4. In this stage the body tries to adapt to the stressor.

5. Physiological arousal usually is higher than normal and the hormones of the adrenal gland
are replenished.

6. This stage still requires energy therefore the heightened heart rate, respiration and blood
pressure continues and non essential functions continue to be slower in a bid to save as
much energy as possible.

7. There is less drain of energy during this. And yet the body continues to work very hard to
resist the stressor on a long term basis.

THE EXHAUSTION STAGE

1. When adaptive mechanism collapses, individual experiences depletion of physical resources


and Exhaustion may set in.

2. Governed by parasympathetic system.

3. The body is susceptible to physiological damage and diseases due to considerable wear and
tear.

4. Epinephrine and cortisol continue to stay at high level over a period of time leading to
damage of heart and blood vessels.

5. Stress can also lead to other negative health consequences in people suffering from chronic
illness like aids, who already have a weak immune system.

CRITICISMS:

1. First, it assigns a very limited role to psychological factors, and researchers now believe that
the psychological appraisal of events is critical to experiencing stress (Lazarus & Folkman,
1984).

2. The second criticism concerns the fact that not all stressors produce the same biological
responses (Kemeny, 2003).

3. Selye’s model fails to consider the importance of cognitive processes determining whether
we interpret a specific event as stressful.

4. Selye’s theory doesn't focus on the various strategies or coping styles that humans employ
to combat stress and how there exists a vast individual differences in coping skills.

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