Question

Hans Selye proposed the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) to describe the stages experienced in reaction to a stressor that brings about a stereotyped physiological response. What has been one change to the original theory ?

• A. The physiological response of both sexes affects homeostasis and the allostatic load equally.
• B. The physiological response of both sexes affects allostasis and the allostatic load equally.
• C. All stressors elicit a very similar or stereotyped physiological patterns of response.
• D. The physiological response of females affects allostasis and the allostatic load differently.

Answer 1

Answer:

D. The physiological response of females affects allostasis and the allostatic load differently.

• Homeostasis describes the maintenance of physiological equilibrium, such as the maintenance of the human body temperature at 98.6oF.
• Allostasis describes systems that keep these maintenance systems in balance. Allostatic load describes the effects of chronic stress if the allostatic changes are not adequate in maintaining homeostasis.
• GAS now assumes that stressors can elicit very different patterns of response or stereotyped physiological patterns of response.
• Rather than “fight or flight”, a female may respond by “tend-and-befriend” to a non-life-threatening stressor, which can affect allostasis and the accumulation of an allostatic load.
• The physiological response of females affects allostasis and the allostatic load differently.