Stress: The Portrait of a Killer (2008 Documentary) - PSY280 Handout

The questions below highlight key learning outcomes associated with the documentaryStress: The Portrait of a Killer featuring neuorobiologist Dr. Robert Sapolsky and are designed to help students engage deeply with the messages of the film.

Youtube link to film:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYG0ZuTv5rs

1. What is the purpose of stress/the stress response?
2. What is the difference between acute and chronic stress? What are the health implications associated with chronic stress?You will likely add to this response throughout the documentary.
3. Where has Robert Sapolsky done most of his research on stress? Why did he use the animal population he did?
4. Why are animal models - specifically the use of non-human primates (vs. rats) - useful in understanding stress and its physical impact?
5. How does Dr. Michael Marmot's research onUK WhiteHall Civil Servants relate to Dr. Sapolsky's work? What were some of thekey findings from Dr. Marmot's research?
6. What were the long-term outcomes associated with the Dutch Hunger Winter (also known as the Dutch famine of 1944) and how does this relate to chronic stress?
7. What is the impact of stress on the body at the cellular level (i.e., on telomeres) and what are the implications? What might facilitate related cellular repair?
8. After the alpha males of the Keekorok wild baboon troop died when they were infected with tuberculosis from garbage, what happened to the remainder of the troop? What were the implications for the stress and health of the remaining baboons in the troop?
9. What are key behavioral/psychological coping mechanisms that can help to mitigate the effects or experience of chronic stress?

the following resources:

1. the New York Times article titledYour Body Knows You're Burnout Out.

1. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/15/well/live/burnout-work-stress.html

Introduction to the topicand the connection between burnout and illness: While burnout is not considered a medical condition in and of itself, it is considered an "occupational phenomenon" by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Some researchers have questioned whether "burnout syndrome" should be classified as a distinct illness (Bianchi et al., 2015). It has been linked to various health conditions, including musculoskeletal diseases and cardiovascular diseasesand the association is not explained by socioeconomic factors or health behaviors (Honokonen et al., 2006).

Questions from the Article: Your Body Knows You're Burned Out (New York Times)

1. After reading the article, what is one thing mentioned to you that was striking or noteworthy? Present the information below and elaborate on why you find it especially noteworthy. (two - four sentences)
2. The article discusses the social phenomenon of the "great resignation." What are some of the broader social factors that have driven people to quit their jobs? In other words, in your opinion, what are social factors that might be driving burnout and rates of resignation? (two - four sentences)
3. Reflecting on your future career aspirations, are you planning to seek a job where there are high rates of burnout? If you experience symptoms of burnout in your future job, what are ways that you couldintervene to help protect yourself against longer-term health implications? (Consider what you could do at the level of the company/business or at the individual level) (two - four sentences)
4. In considering embarking on your career, what are ways you could help to structure your work to helpprevent burnout? Consider some of the suggestions included of the articledo any strike you as strategies that might be particularly protective? (two - four sentences?