Lazarus' Theory Of Stress
Lazarus states that stress is experienced when a person perceives that the “demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilise." this is called the 'transactional model of stress and coping.'
Neither the environmental event nor the persons response defines stress, rather the individuals perception of the psychological situation is the critical factor. According to Lazarus, the effects that stress has on a person is based more on that persons feelings of threat, vulnerability and ability to cope than on the stressful event itself. He defines psychological stress as a "particular relationship between the person and environment that is appraised by the person as taxing or exceeding his or her resources and endangering his or her wellbeing."
Primary Appraisal - When we decide if a situation is threatening or positive, relevant or irrelevant to our situation. There are three things needing to be evaluated: 1. Is the threat significant to that person, 2. Is it a positive encounter, 3. Is it threatening/harmful/challenging. If an individual decides that the situation is threatening the following may occur: injury, illness, angry, disgust, disappointment, worry, anxiety, a fear response, a challenge or anticipation.
Secondary Appraisal - When we assess what resources are available to us to help combat or cope with the stressor. An individual may choose to use: Internal Options: will-power, inner strength, or External Options: peers, professional help.
Problem-Based Coping - Used when we feel we have control over the situation, thus can manage the source of the problem. There are four steps to manage this stress: 1.Define the problem, 2. Generate alternative solutions, 3. Learn new skills to dealing with stressors, 4. Reappraise and find new standards of behaviour.
Emotional-Based Coping - Is used when an individual feels as if they cannot manage the source of the problem. Involves gaining strategies for regulating stress. 1. Avoiding (i'm not going to school), 2. Distancing (yourself from the stress, 'it doesn't matter'), 3. Acceptance (i failed that exam, but i have 4 other subjects), 4. Seeking Medical Support, 5. Turning to alcohol.
Strengthens and Weaknesses of Lazraus' Model
Strengths:
It considers cognitive approaches as opposed to G.A.S - Seyles.
It''s a dynamic model
it caters for individuals differences
Identifies alternative methods for dealing with stress
Weaknesses:
lack of evidence
Difficult to label factors that determine stress
Over lap of primary and secondary appraisals
Black Swan
Nina, the main character of the film, demonstrates responses to events that exceed the normal expectations. Her responses to many of these events are abnormal and over dramatic, these emotions are caused from over excessive stress that Nina experiences.
Neither the environmental event nor the persons response defines stress, rather the individuals perception of the psychological situation is the critical factor. According to Lazarus, the effects that stress has on a person is based more on that persons feelings of threat, vulnerability and ability to cope than on the stressful event itself. He defines psychological stress as a "particular relationship between the person and environment that is appraised by the person as taxing or exceeding his or her resources and endangering his or her wellbeing."
Primary Appraisal - When we decide if a situation is threatening or positive, relevant or irrelevant to our situation. There are three things needing to be evaluated: 1. Is the threat significant to that person, 2. Is it a positive encounter, 3. Is it threatening/harmful/challenging. If an individual decides that the situation is threatening the following may occur: injury, illness, angry, disgust, disappointment, worry, anxiety, a fear response, a challenge or anticipation.
Secondary Appraisal - When we assess what resources are available to us to help combat or cope with the stressor. An individual may choose to use: Internal Options: will-power, inner strength, or External Options: peers, professional help.
Problem-Based Coping - Used when we feel we have control over the situation, thus can manage the source of the problem. There are four steps to manage this stress: 1.Define the problem, 2. Generate alternative solutions, 3. Learn new skills to dealing with stressors, 4. Reappraise and find new standards of behaviour.
Emotional-Based Coping - Is used when an individual feels as if they cannot manage the source of the problem. Involves gaining strategies for regulating stress. 1. Avoiding (i'm not going to school), 2. Distancing (yourself from the stress, 'it doesn't matter'), 3. Acceptance (i failed that exam, but i have 4 other subjects), 4. Seeking Medical Support, 5. Turning to alcohol.
Strengthens and Weaknesses of Lazraus' Model
Strengths:
It considers cognitive approaches as opposed to G.A.S - Seyles.
It''s a dynamic model
it caters for individuals differences
Identifies alternative methods for dealing with stress
Weaknesses:
lack of evidence
Difficult to label factors that determine stress
Over lap of primary and secondary appraisals
Black Swan
Nina, the main character of the film, demonstrates responses to events that exceed the normal expectations. Her responses to many of these events are abnormal and over dramatic, these emotions are caused from over excessive stress that Nina experiences.
Nina does not get the part in a ballerina audition she was hoping for, while all of the other girls accepted their rejection, Nina 'glams' herself up to seduce her dance co-ordinator. The enabled her to get the part she wanted so bad. The is evidence for Lazarus' Theory for Nina's feeling of being stressed is based more on her feelings of threat, vulnerability and ability to cope than on the stressful event itself.
Stress becomes more intense as Nina becomes jealous of other dancers. A ripped toenail while practicing her thirty-two fouettés occurs due to her stereo type of a 'strained dancer'. She becomes desperate as her dancing becomes more extravagant and dangerous. In Nina’s mind Lily is trying to steal her role and steal her glory but this is not true.She has feelings of threat and vulnerability brought upon by other dancing causing stress, as Lazarus says.
When Lily is cast as her double Nina cries and begs her to be changed for another dancer and the stress mounts. Nina believes in her fit of rage that she has killed Lily but in reality she has only harmed herself. The movie culminates with a strong psychotic episode where Nina lets out all of her anger and resentment on Lily but this only leads to devastating results. She can’t control her anger. The feeling of threat and vulnerability is too much for Nina, all control is lost and stress intoxicates her mind.