Extensive research has demonstrated that perceptions of personal control are associated with a variety of favorable outcomes, such as better physical and mental health and greater psychological well-being (Diehl & Hay, 2010). Greater personal control is also associated with
lower reactivity to
stressors in daily life.
What do control and perception have to do with stress?
The perception of being in control (rather than the reality of being in or out of control) is an
important buffer of negative stress
. When people feel that they are not in control, they start feeling stressed, even if they actually are in control and simply don’t know it.
How does perceived control over stress relate to stress?
Perceived control is associated with emotional well-being,
reduced physiological impact of stressors
, enhanced ability to cope with stress, improved performance, less pain, and a greater likelihood of making difficult behavior changes (Thompson & Spacapan, 1991).
How does personal control affect the experience of stress?
As you may have guessed, those with a more internal locus of control tend to feel happier, more free, and less stress. They also
enjoy better health
(likely because they experience less of the damaging chronic stress that can come from feeling powerless) and are more satisfied with life in general.
What is perceived personal control?
Perceived control refers to
an individual’s belief about his or her own capability of exert- ing influence on internal states and behaviors, as well as one’s external environment
(Langer, 1977; Lefcourt, 1966; Pearlin & Schooler, 1978; Wallston, Wallston, Smith, & Dobbins, 1987).
Why is perceived control important?
Summary. The finding that perceptions of control and feelings of self-efficacy are beneficial and adaptive is robust. People with a strong sense of perceived control generally
fare better
(both mentally and physically) than do those who do not hold such beliefs.
Is the kind of stress associated with positive feelings?
This kind of stress, which Selye called
eustress
(from the Greek eu = “good”), is a good kind of stress associated with positive feelings, optimal health, and performance. A moderate amount of stress can be beneficial in challenging situations.
How can stress be positive?
This is because moderate stress strengthens the connection between neurons in your brain, improving memory and attention span, and helping you become more productive.
Why does perceived loss of control predict health problems?
Why does perceived loss of control predict health problems?
Losing control produces an outpouring of stress hormones
. When rats cannot control shock or when humans or other primates feel unable to control their environment, the result is rising stress hormones blood pressure levels increase immune responses drop.
What two systems does the body respond to stress?
The autonomic nervous system has a direct role in physical response to stress and is divided into the sympathetic nervous system (SNS),
and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)
. When the body is stressed, the SNS contributes to what is known as the “fight or flight” response.
What happens during the three stages of stress?
There are three stages:
alarm, resistance, and exhaustion
. Alarm – This occurs when we first perceive something as stressful, and then the body initiates the fight-or-flight response (as discussed earlier).
When dealing with stress which strategy are we more likely to use when we believe we can change the situation?
While many stressors elicit both kinds of coping strategies, problem-focused coping is more likely to occur when encountering stressors we perceive as controllable, while
emotion-focused coping
is more likely to predominate when faced with stressors that we believe we are powerless to change (Folkman & Lazarus, 1980).
What are the techniques of managing stress?
- Exercise regularly.
- Get out in the sunlight.
- Drink less alcohol and caffeine close to bedtime.
- Set a sleep schedule.
- Don’t look at your electronics 30-60 minutes before bed.
- Try meditation or other forms of relaxation at bedtime.
What is an example of personal control?
As an example of personal control,
two people may have a history of heart disease in their family
.
What is meant by personal control?
Personal control consists of
a person’s beliefs about how well he or she can bring about good events and avoid bad events
. This concept has far-reaching consequences. Current psychological theory and re- search suggest that such beliefs do more than simply predict future behavior; they determine it [2].
What are the two factors used to determine the perception of control?
There are two important dimensions: (1)
whether the object of control is in the past or the future
and (2) whether the object of control is over outcome, behavior, or process.
