What Is Stress?

About the lecture

In this lecture, we think about what stress is and how it can be researched, focusing in particular on: (i) the fact that, while the experience of stress is highly subjective, we can generally speak of two distinct types of stress as acute stress and chronic stress; (ii) some of the aims of research into stress, such as identifying triggers and developing mechanisms for coping with stress (iii) different methods researchers use to investigate stress, including simulator training and laboratory tests such as the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST).

About the lecturer

Sarita Robinson (Psychology BSc - Lancaster University; Cognitive Sciences MSc - Manchester University) completed her PhD in Cognitive and Neuroimmune Responses to Threat at Lancaster University before joining the School of Psychology at UCLan in 2005. Sarita’s research interests mainly focus on cognitive neuropsychology and psychobiology in relation to people in survival situations. Sarita is also interested in the link between dental health and Alzheimer’s disease, the health benefits of Green space and Post-Traumatic Growth after trauma. Sarita is also passionate about science communication and undertakes extensive public engagement work.