Health psychology

Discuss physiological and/or social aspects of stress.

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “discuss” requires candidates to offer a considered review of physiological and/or social aspects of stress.

Candidates can use research that deals with either or both the physiological and social aspects of stress.

Relevant studies may include, but are not limited to:
• Kiecolt-Glaser et al.’s (1984) study on how exam stress influences the immune system
• Steptoe and Marmot’s (2003) Whitehall study on the relationship between workplace stress and the risk of heart disease
• Sapolsky (2005) on the influence of social hierarchy on primate health
• Fernald and Gunnar’s (2008) or Evans and Kim’s (2007) studies on the relationship between poverty and stress
• Taylor et al.’s (2000) study on gender differences in stress
• O’Driscoll and Cooper’s (1994) study on coping with work-related stress.

Discussion may include but is not limited to:
• cultural and gender considerations
• conditions under which stress may be observed and/or measured
• methodological concerns in measuring aspects of stress
• risk factors associated with socio-economic status.

Responses may discuss either physiological or social aspects of stress or may discuss both aspects of stress. Either approach is equally acceptable.

Candidates may address a smaller number of physiological and/or social aspects of stress in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may address a larger number of physiological and/or social aspects of stress in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.

Responses referring to research with animals, such as Callhoun’s study of the effects of crowding on rats, are relevant but must be linked to human behaviour.