G.A.S means the total mobilisation of an organisms resources & defence systems to meet situations of severe stress.

Stage 1a: Alarm – Shock - key points

• When we first become aware of stressor – we go into shock • E.g. we start walking across the road and without warning a car is

tooting us as it comes towards us – or – you get a text message that Dad has had a car accident and is in hospital

• The body reacts as if it is injured e.g. Body temp lowered, blood pressure decreases, muscles are relaxed (loss of tone) etc

• Level of resistance is briefly lowered (we are not yet dealing with the stressor)

Stage 1b: Alarm – Countershock - key points

• Now we start dealing with the stressor• We become aroused – thus more alert & the sympathetic nervous

system is activated (during c/shock)• Stress hormones are released into the blood stream - thus heart

rate increases, the respiratory system accelerates – providing the muscles with more energy/ oxygen – similar to the fight-flight response

• Level of resistance is raised (meaning we are ready to deal with the stressor)

Stage 2: Resistance- key points

• If the stressor hasn’t been successfully dealt with (during countershock), we move into the resistance stage

• Physiological arousal remains high, thus the hormones: Adrenalin & cortisol are released into the bloodstream to energise the body & repair damaged – but this comes at a cost (see next slide)

• Other physiological functions that are not essential for survival are shut down e.g. digestion, bowel movements – thus energy is diverted to the parts of the body that really need it to deal with stressor

Stage 2: Resistance- continued

• The cost of this sustained resistance is that body’s immune (defence) system is weakened

• Thus we become vulnerable to disease/ illness• So we might develop symptoms – sore throat, headache,

etc• Key point the body’s resistance remains at a high level

Stage 3: Exhaustion• If the stressor is not successfully dealt with during

resistance – we enter the exhaustion stage• The body becomes vulnerable to mental disorders,

psychosomatic diseases, as well as physical disorders such as hypertension, ulcers, sleep disorders

• Resistance is lowered (due to depletion of immune system)

GAS – key points• Resistance is high: During countershock/ resistance• Resistance is low: During shock/ exhaustion• Fight flight response 1st activated: During

countershock• Cortisol released: During resistance• Symptoms developed (sore throat): During resistance• Illness: During exhaustion• Strength: the model examined the relationship

between psychological stressors and our defense systems and our consequential physiological health

• Weaknesses: Didn’t factor cognitive appraisal (as opposed to transactional model)