Question 1
Evaluate Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) as an explanation of stress.
AO1 (4 marks), AO3 (4 marks)
AO1
- In the Selye's GAS model, the initial alarm stage is when a person
registers a threat and creates a hormonal change.
- Exhaustion can occur if the body is repeatedly stressed or the
stress is long lasting.
- Selye's research evidence came mostly from his studies using
animals such as rats.
- Cognitive psychologists would explain stress as a result of
negative and faulty thought patterns.
AO3
- Rodriques et al. (2009) suggested that stress hormones alter the
neural structures that are associated with emotion, so Selye's
explanation has scientific credibility.
- Brady (1958) found that the monkeys exposed to stress
physically deteriorated and began to die after 23 days from their
stress, so Selye's explanation of exhaustion has supporting
evidence.
- Animal research supporting the GAS explanation could be
ungeneralisable to the human population as animals may not
represent human reactions to stress.
- Beck and Weishaar (2010) used cognitive techniques to treat
faulty thinking and cognitive bias showing cognitive factors could
cause stress and it may not be a result of GAS.
Look for other reasonable marking points.
(8)
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\hline Level
Mark
Descriptor
AO1 (4 marks), AO3 (4 marks)
Candidates must demonstrate an equal emphasis between knowledge and
understanding vs evaluation/conclusion in their answer.
0
No rewardable material.
Level 1
1-2
Marks
Demonstrates isolated elements of knowledge and understanding. (AO1)
A conclusion may be presented, but will be generic and the supporting
evidence will be limited. Limited attempt to address the question. (AO3)
Level 2
3-4
Marks
Demonstrates mostly accurate knowledge and understanding. (AO1)
Candidates will produce statements with some development in the form
of mostly accurate and relevant factual material, leading to a superficial
conclusion being made. (AO3)
Level 3
5-6
Marks
Demonstrates accurate knowledge and understanding. (AO1)
Arguments developed using mostly coherent chains of reasoning. leading
to a conclusion being presented. Candidates will demonstrate a grasp of
competing arguments but evaluation may be imbalanced. (AO3)
Level 4
7-8
Marks
Demonstrates accurate and thorough knowledge and understanding.
(AO1)
Displays a well-developed and logical evaluation, containing logical
chains of reasoning throughout. Demonstrates an awareness of
competing arguments, presenting a balanced conclusion. (AO3)
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