Comparing and Contrasting Two of the Four Models of Stress

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This essay aims to compare and contrast two of the four models of stress; Hans Selye’s (1907-1982) general adaptation syndrome (GAS) and Mowrer (1939) avoidance model. Firstly, the author will give published definitions of the term stress; the author will then briefly discuss the term stress. This essay will look at the Selye (1956) general adaptation syndrome and Mowrer (1939) avoidance model of stress and then compare and contrast both models.

Chorousos et al. (1988) define stress as “the recognition by the body of a stressor and therefore the state of threatened homeostasis”. Schaffer (2000) defines stress as “the arousal of mind and body in response to demands made on them. And according to Sapolsky (1994 p7) a stressor is anything that throws the body out of homeostatic balance, for example, an illness, loud noise, an injury etc. Cox (1978 p. 180) defines stress as a “complex and dynamic system of transaction between the person and his environment”. Based on the published definitions of stress, the author therefore defines stress as anything that causes the body to be uncomforted. Stress can be caused by several different factors ranging from physical (such as fear of something dangerous) to emotional such as worry over children, job, marriage etc.

The term “Stress” was coined by scientist Hans Selye (1907-1982) in 1936. Selye (1926) defined stress as “the non specific response of the body to any demand for change”. Selye (1926) discovered in several laboratory experiments that animals showed similar symptoms when exposed to severe physical and emotional stimuli i.e. extreme heat or cold, loud disturbing noise, etc. Selye (1935) also noted that patients with different illness showed these same similar biological symptoms ...

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