Physical Stress Theory by Mueller and Maluf (2002)

The premise behind the Physical Stress Theory (PST) is "that changes in the relative

level of physical stress cause a predictable adaptive response in all biological tissues." When

stresses are placed on a particular structure due to movement or posture for example, our

body’s tissues must adapt to these stresses. 

Social Stress Theory

Pearlin et al. (1981) conceptualized the stress process model as involving three main

concepts: sources of stress, mediating resources, and manifestations of stress. Sources of

stress are twofold: life events, which cause stress as they happen at a point in time; and life

strains, which develop over longer periods of time. Factors that mediate the relationship

between stress and mental health outcomes are termed psychological resources, and include,

but are certainly not limited to, coping, social support, and mastery (locus of control), which

generally intervene after stress. Manifestations of stress can be both physical and mental in

nature, and global or local in their effects.

This model is the basis for social stress theory. According to social stress theory,

people with disadvantaged social status are more likely to be exposed to stressors and to be

more vulnerable to stress because they have limited psychosocial coping resources; these in

turn lead to a higher risk of mental illness. 

The James-Lange Theory of Emotion

Proposed independently by psychologist William James and physiologist Carl Lange,

the James-Lange theory of emotion suggested that emotions occur as a result of physiological

reactions to events. In other words, this theory proposes that people have a physiological
response to environmental stimuli and that their interpretation of that physical response then

results in an emotional experience.

According to this theory, witnessing an external stimulus leads to a physiological

response. Your emotional reaction depends on how you interpret those physical reactions.

Prior to the James-Lange theory, the standard line of thought was that people the first

reaction to perception was cognitive. Physical responses then occurred as a reaction to that

thought. The James-Lange approach instead suggested that these physiological responses

occur first and that they play a major role in the experience of emotion.

Lazarus' Theory Of Stress

Lazarus states that stress is experienced when a person perceives that the “demands

exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize." this is called the

'transactional model of stress and coping.

Neither the environmental event nor the person’s response defines stress, rather the

individuals perception of the psychological situation is the critical factor. According to

Lazarus, the effects that stress has on a person is based more on that persons feelings of

threat, vulnerability and ability to cope than on the stressful event itself. He defines

psychological stress as a "particular relationship between the person and environment that is

appraised by the person as taxing or exceeding his or her resources and endangering his or

her wellbeing."