146 Chapter 7: Stress and Well-Being at Work
This edition is intended for use outside of the U.S. only, with content that may be different from the U.S. Edition. This may not be resold, copied,
or distributed without the prior consent of the publisher.
1. Define stress, distress, and strain.
Stress is the unconscious preparation to fight or flee that a person experiences when faced with
any demand. Distress is the adverse psychological, physical, behavioral, and organizational
consequences that may arise as a result of stressful events. Strain is the same as distress.
2. Describe four approaches to understanding stress. How does each add something new to
our understanding of stress?
(1) The homeostatic/medical model explains the fight-or-flight response that we use to define
stress. (2) The cognitive appraisal approach describes how we classify events as stressful or not.
(3) The person-environment fit approach argues that stress results when the role expectations are
confusing and/or conflicting. (4) The psychoanalytic approach is based on Freudian theory and
involves the ego-ideal and the self-image, and the comparison between the two.
3. What are the four changes associated with the stress response?
The physical changes are: (1) the redirection of the blood to the brain, (2) increased alertness by
way of improved vision, hearing, and other sensory processes, (3) the release of glucose and fatty
acids into the bloodstream to sustain the body during the stressful event, and (4) depression of
the immune system, as well as emergent processes.
4. List three demands of each type: task, role, interpersonal, and physical.
Task demands related to stress are lack of control, uncertainty, career progress, overload, and
new technologies. Role demands include interrole expectations, intrarole expectations, and
person−role expectations. Interpersonal demands are abrasive personalities, sexual harassment,
and leadership styles. Physical demands include extreme environments, strenuous activities, and
hazardous substances.
5. What is a nonwork demand? How does it affect an individual?
Nonwork demands are personal life stressors that carry into the workplace. Marital expectations,
childcare and elder care are all demands that may take individuals away from their focus at work,
either physically or mentally.
6. Describe the relationship between stress and performance.
Moderate stress has been found to have a positive effect on performance. The Yerkes-Dodson
law indicates that there is an optimum point of positive effect from stress. After this point is
reached, the curve turns downward and has negative ramifications on performance. The
optimum point will vary from individual to individual.
7. What are the major medical consequences of distress? The behavioral consequences? The
psychological consequences?