Hockenbury Discovering Psychology 5th txtbk

498 CHAPTER 12 Stress, Health, and CopingFigure 12.1 Stress and AppraisalAccording to Richard Lazarus (1999),events are not stressful in and of themselves.Instead, the experience of stressis determined by your subjectiveresponse to external events or circumstances.If you believe you have theresources necessary to meet a challengeor solve a problem, you’ll experiencelittle or no stress. As we deal withstressful circumstances, we continuallyappraise our coping responses alongthe way. If our coping efforts aresuccessful, stress will decrease. Ifunsuccessful, stress will increase.?“Yes—I can take a busto campus and still getto class on time.”Event: Car won’t start!“I’ll miss class!”Appraisal“Do I have the resourcesto cope with this event?”?“No—it’s impossiblefor me to make itto class on time.”NO STRESSSTRESSReappraisal“Are my copingefforts successful?”“Yes—I’m on my way!”“No—I missed thelast bus to campus!”NO STRESSSTRESShealth psychologyThe branch of psychology that studies howbiological, behavioral, and social factorsinfluence health, illness, medical treatment,and health-related behaviors.biopsychosocial modelThe belief that physical health and illness aredetermined by the complex interaction ofbiological, psychological, and social factors.The study of stress is a key topic in health psychology, one of the most rapidlygrowing specialty areas in psychology. Health psychology is also sometimes referredto as behavioral medicine. Health psychologists are interested in how biological, psychological,and social factors influence health, illness, and treatment. Along with developingstrategies to foster emotional and physical well-being, they investigate issuessuch as the following:• How to promote health-enhancing behaviors• How people respond to being ill• How people respond in the patient–health practitioner relationship• Why some people don’t follow medical adviceHealth psychologists work with many different health care professionals, includingphysicians, dentists, nurses, social workers, and occupational and physical therapists.In their research and clinical practice, health psychologists are guided by thebiopsychosocial model. According to this model, health and illness are determinedby the complex interaction of biological factors (e.g., genetic predispositions),