15.1.3

Role of Stress in Illness: Studies

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Krantz et al (1991) & Brady et al (1958)

Krantz et al (1991) investigated the effects of stress on cardiovascular disorders. Brady et al (1958) investigated the effects of control and responsibility on stress

**Krantz et al (1991)** procedure

Krantz et al (1991) procedure

  • Laboratory experiment.
  • 39 participants were given 3 tasks of varying degrees of difficulty and stressfulness. They also had their blood pressure measured and extent to which vessels around the heart contracted (myocardial ischaemia).
**Krantz et al (1991)** results

Krantz et al (1991) results

  • Results
    • Most stressful tasks induced higher blood pressure and increased myocardial ischaemia. Conclusion
    • Stress may have a direct effect on blood pressure and myocardial ischaemia, making cardiovascular disorder more likely.
**Krantz et al (1991)** evaluation

Krantz et al (1991) evaluation

  • Strengths
    • Controlled and reliable.
    • Ecological validity.
  • Limitations
    • Individual differences.
    • Cannot show cause.
**Brady et al (1958)** procedure

Brady et al (1958) procedure

  • Laboratory experiment.
  • Rhesus monkeys were yoked together in pairs and received shocks every 20 minutes in 6-hour shifts.
  • The ‘executive’ monkey could control the shocks by pressing a lever. The control monkey had no control over the shock schedule.
**Brady et al (1958)** results

Brady et al (1958) results

  • Results
    • The ‘executive’ monkeys developed stomach ulcers and died quicker than the control group of monkeys.
  • Conclusion
    • From this study the concept of ‘executive stress’ arose. Control and responsibility for others was seen as more stressful than being a worker with little responsibility for others.
**Brady et al (1958)** evaluation

Brady et al (1958) evaluation

  • Strengths
    • Controlled and reliable.
  • Limitations
    • Ethics.
    • Cannot generalise from animals to humans.
    • Monkeys allocated to ‘executive’ condition were the quickest learners, so may have been more stressed by the shocks initially and therefore more susceptible to stress related illnesses.
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