of stress regarded stress as an automatic response to an external stressor. However, the
introduction of the concept of appraisal suggested that stress was best understood as an
interaction between the individual and the outside world. Accordingly, a stress response
would be elicited if an event were appraised as stressful. Once appraised as a stressor, the
individual then shows a stress response involving both a sense of being stressed and
physiological changes including both sympathetic activation and activation of the hypo-
thalamus pituitary axis. The stress response can be measured either in the laboratory or
in a more naturalistic setting and can be assessed using either physiological measures or
those involving self-report.
Fig. 10-4 The interaction between psychological and physiological aspects of stress? QUESTIONS
1 Stress is an automatic response to external stressors. Discuss.
2 Discuss the role of appraisal in the stress response.
3 Describe the physiological response to stress.
4 How can stress be measured and what are the costs and benefits of each
measurement approach?
5 Design a study to show whether or not appraisal is necessary for the stress
response to occur.
FOR DISCUSSION
Consider the last time you felt stressed. What were the characteristics of the
stressful event that made it feel stressful?
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