Question

Explain and given an example of the G.A.S. stress theory.

Answer 1

Hans Selye first suggested the general adaptation syndrome which attempts to explain the stress response of individuals and how ageing and diseases throughout the life span cause distress. Stress affects the human body throughout the life as they age and the natural bodily processes that occur as and when we face stress in our daily lives. He observed that body adapts to the outer stressors by attempting to maintain homeostasis in the body. For instance if there is infection in the body, the hormonal system attempts to fight the source of infection (immune system). The three stages of this theory are as follows:

1. Alarm stage: The body labels the sourse of stress as a potential threat to itself. The stress hormones are therefore released in the body to prepare for the resistance. For instance if one witnesses a tiger (threat to life), the physiological symptoms like sweating, increased heart beat are all 'alarms' generated for the body to take action.

2. Resistance stage: The damaged muscles and tissues, if any are now repaired in this stage. Although it is the second stage, the fight or flight continues.

Exhaustion stage: This is burnout stage where the energy is drained or channelised in one direction to fight against the stressor as a response to it. The body now attempts to recover itself from the final stage and regain its normal processes.