1.10: Stress Reappraisal

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 147917

$ \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } $

$ \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} $

$ \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} $

$ \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} $

$ \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} $

$ \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}$ $ \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}$

( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) $ \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}$

$ \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}$ $ \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}$

$ \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}$ $ \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}$

$ \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}$

$ \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}$

$ \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}$

$ \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}$

$ \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}$

$ \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}$

$ \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}$

$ \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}$

$ \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}$

$ \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}$

$ \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}$

$ \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}$ $ \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}$

$ \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow$

$ \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow$

$ \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } $

$ \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} $

$ \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} $

$ \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} $

$ \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} $

$ \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } $

$\newcommand{\longvect}{\overrightarrow}$

$ \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} $

$\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}$ $\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}$ $\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}$ $\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}$ $\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}$ $\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}$ $\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}$ $\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}$ $\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}$ $\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}$ $\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}$ $\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}$ $\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}$ $\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}$ $\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}$ $\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}$ $\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}$ $\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}$ $\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}$ $\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}$ $\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}$ $\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}$ $\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}$ $\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}$ $\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}$ $\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}$ $\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}$ $\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}$ $\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}$ $\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}$ $\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}$ $\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}$ $\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}$ $\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}$ $\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}$ $\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}$ $\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}$ $\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}$ $\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}$ $\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}$ $\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}$ $\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}$ $\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}$ $\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}$ $\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}$ $\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}$ $\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}$ $\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}$ $\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}$ $\newcommand{\lt}{<}$ $\newcommand{\gt}{>}$ $\newcommand{\amp}{&}$ $\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}$

(to be completed before the Module 1 exam, as instructed)

As you might expect, taking a math test can be a very stressful experience. Before taking the Module 1 exam, we are going to complete a short reading exercise designed to help you perform well.

In the following pages, you will be presented with scientific research. Because scientific research articles can be long, complex, and difficult to understand we had students like you summarize the research articles discussed below.

The research presented in the following materials was conducted with people with anxiety disorders to help them cope with feelings of overwhelming anxiety. More specifically, materials provide you with information about how stress can help improve performance.

While you read each summary, please try to think about how stress can help you. Then, after each one, you will be asked to write a short summary using your own words describing how the information presented can help maximize your performance on the Module 1 exam. The information you write here will be included in messages to future Quantway and Statway students designed to provide students with the confidence to thrive in testing situations.

The following summary is of Jamieson and Mendes’ 2010 study that appeared in the Journal of Experimental Psychology:

In stressful situations, people experience changes in their body. They might experience these changes as “unsettled feelings” or “butterflies in their stomach,” and conclude that they are nervous. However, the bodily changes that happen during stress can be good, not just bad. For instance, scientists have found that feelings of “butterflies” or nervousness indicate that the body is gathering resources to meet the demands of the situation. In other words, the body needs energy to perform and stress helps deliver this energy to where it is needed.

Stress can be “good” or “bad,” and the type of stress we experience depends on our perceptions and beliefs. To demonstrate how the body and mind work together, imagine you are a skier staring down a steep, icy slope with no other way off the mountain than going down this dangerous trail. Regardless of whether you like skiing, this situation would cause stress. Expert skiers may experience the stress as “excitement” if they believe they can handle the difficult trail, whereas novices are more likely to experience the stress as “fear” if the difficulty of the trail exceeds their skill level. Thus, the skier’s response (excitement vs. fear) depends on how they perceive the situation and their body’s responses.

The negative consequences of stress are the direct result of people’s beliefs that feeling anxious will make them perform poorly. However, our research from people with anxiety disorders indicates that stress does not hurt performance, but can actually help because our brain releases chemicals that help us think quickly. So, during the Module 1 exam, try and view stress as a coping tool.

In your own words please briefly describe how this information can help you perform well on the Module 1 exam:

____________________________________________________________________________________

The following summary is of Nock et al.’s (2011) study that appeared in the Journal of Clinical Psychology:

Stress is a normal physical reaction that helps you face the challenges in your life. It is not harmful. In fact, if we did not have stress reactions we could not survive. If stress is helpful, then why do most people see it as a negative experience?

Research from patients coping with anxiety disorders indicates that negative reactions to stressful situations like taking an exam in class or going on a job interview are the result of how we think about stress (also known as “cognitive appraisals”). When the “fight or flight” system activates, our brain searches for potential sources of harm. However, in modern society there is often no physical threat. When no explanation can be found, the search turns inwards and the brain invents explanations such as, “There must be something wrong with me.” Nothing could be further from the truth.

During stressful situations remember that your body’s responses are good. Increased heart rate, sweating, and heavy breathing all help deliver oxygen where it is needed. Remember, if you find yourself experiencing stress during tests, focus on the benefits of your body’s responses.

In your own words please briefly describe how this information can help you perform well on the Module 1 exam:

____________________________________________________________________________________

The following is an illustrative diagram that shows the biological changes that happen when we experience stress. Please take a minute to note where the changes occur and how these help us do well.

$Illustration showing how stress affects the brain, heart and breathing, indicating the following: Brain: Stress releases chemicals that help you think more quickly & solve problems better. Maybe you’ve even heard of one of these chemicals before: Adrenaline. Heart: Stress increases your heart rate so it can deliver fuel to your brain to help you think. Your heart sends oxygen to fuel your brain. Breathing: Stress speeds up your breathing. You might even feel short of breath. This is okay because it means your body has lots of oxygen to help you do well.$

In your own words please briefly describe how this information can help you perform well on the Module 1 exam:

____________________________________________________________________________________

Great job! You have finished the reading exercise.

Remember during the Module 1 exam, we ask that you try to remind yourself that your body’s responses to the stressful testing situation will help you to perform well.

Good luck!

Search

Text Color

Text Size

Margin Size

Font Type