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Bus 160 – Individual Paper (30 points)
Each person will submit a
5 page
written paper on a sub-topic within a chapter. Cover page does not
count. Pick a topic of interest and read about it in the book. Then, do further research in the online
library or web-search. Evidence of research beyond the book is required and should be documented in
the bibliography with a minimum of 3 references including the book. Use APA format and double spaced
with 11 or 12 point font.
Page 6
is your Bibliography.
There are many interesting topics and sub-topics in the book. Pick something you are interested in that
will serve you for the future. Study that topic in the book first and if interested in continuing do further
research by finding two more references (e.g. articles, books, websites). It’s generally helpful to create
an outline before you start writing. That way you can complete a paragraph or section at a time. One
way to do this is to state the theory first and any research you were able to uncover. Be sure to
reference anything you copy from another source by making a citation in your paper i.e. (George &
Jones, 2012, pg 38). Then, you could relate this topic to your personal experience or how you might use
this knowledge in the future.
There are too many sub-topics to list but here are a few:
Motivation
Perception
Communication
Teams
Conflict
Careers
Learning
Personality
Power
Decision Making
Ethics
Change
Org Design or structure
Stress
You can also add your own experience about this subject
Stress Awareness and Management
Bus3 160 – Fundamentals of Management and Organizational Behavior
San Jose State University
Instructor: Dr. Mike Hill
April 17, 2023
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CONTENTS
PAGE
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3
The original of stress …………………………………………………………………………………………..4
Relationship between pressure and performance……………………………………………………..5
Consequences of stress ………………………………………………………………………………………..6
The ways to cope with stress…………………………………………………………….7
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8
References………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10
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I Introduction
Stress is a natural and common experience that people encounter in their daily lives. It is
the body’s physical and emotional response to difficult or demanding situations, changes and
events that require adaptation. Stress is the experience of opportunities or threats that people
perceive as important and also perceive they might not be able to handle or deal with effectively
(George & Jones, 2012, pg. 245). Everyone experiences stress differently, and symptoms can be
behavioral, emotional, or physical. Some of the most common biological symptoms of stress are
muscle tension, fatigue, digestive problems, muscle pain, sleep disturbances and headaches.
Emotional symptoms of stress can include mood swings, decreased energy or excitement,
changes in eating habits, restlessness, anxiety, overreaction, and sadness. Behavioral symptoms
of stress can manifest in excessive or violent behavior, tobacco and alcohol use, poor exercise
habits, and poor food choices. Stress can be caused by various factors, such as social,
psychological or physical stressors.
Stress management refers to a person’s ability to deal with or deal with stressful situations
or events. Stress management is defined as the tools, strategies, or techniques that reduce stress
and reduce the negative impacts stress has on your mental or physical well-being (Davis, T).
Effective stress management requires understanding the sources of stress, its intensity, and its
physical and mental effects. In the workplace, people may experience work-related stressors that
they cannot deal with, which can lead to organizational strain. For example, employees may feel
that they are unable to reach their full potential or that they lack knowledge about their workrelated tasks. They may also face competing interests and receive insufficient recognition for
their achievements, leading to physical reactions that can harm their health. In general, stress is a
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normal part of life, but it is important to manage it effectively to avoid negative consequences for
physical and mental health.
II The original of stress
The root cause of stress can be complex and multifaceted, and identifying and managing
the root causes of stress is important to effectively manage and reduce the impact of stress on
physical and mental health. Hans Selye began using the term stress after completing his medical
training at the University of Montreal in the 1920’s. He noticed that no matter what his
hospitalized patients suffered from, they all had one thing in common. They all looked sick. In
his view, they all were under physical stress (History of stress).
Many factors can cause stress, including social, psychological and physical stressors. Some
common causes of stress include work-related, financial, relationship, health-related, and major
life changing. First, work-related stress is the type of stress can be caused by job insecurity,
heavy workload, long working hours, lack of satisfaction or conflicts with colleagues or
superiors. One person might perceive a job change or a promotion as an opportunity for learning
and career advancement, and another person might perceive the same job change or promotion as
a threat because of the potential for failure (George & Jones, 2012, pg. 247). Financial stress can
be caused by financial difficulties such as job loss, debt or unexpected expenses. Next,
relationship stress can result from conflicts with partners, family members or friends. Healthrelated stress can be caused by a chronic illness, injury, or health condition that affects a person
or a loved one. Finally, Major life changes such as moving to a new city, starting a new job or
getting married can also cause stress. Moreover, when life hits you hard you may worry that the
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stress of this situation will last a long time, and this can take a heavy toll on you and those
around you (Keegan, 2019).
III Relationship between pressure and performance
The relationship between pressure and performance is complex and depends on many
factors. While moderate pressure can improve performance, excessive pressure can lead to
reduced performance, so it’s important to find a balance between pressure and performance for
optimal results.
Yerkes/Dodson’s theory can be visually described, utilizing the following chart (Martin, 2019).
Stress levels that are too high, however, can impair performance and, thus, are negative.
Students who suffer from serious test anxiety cannot remember material they may have known
quite well the day before the test. Their stress and anxiety interfere with their ability to take the
test, and thoughts of how poorly they are going to do prevent them from concentrating on the
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questions asked. Similarly, excessively high levels of stress may prevent employees from
effectively performing their jobs. On-the-job stress can be positive, if it’s kept at an optimal
level. Performers like Taylor Swift can actually use stress to enhance their performance during
concerts in front of sell-out crowds (George & Jones, 2012, pg. 250).
III Consequences of stress
Pressure and stress can have many consequences on people’s health and psychology.
These consequences can affect all aspects of life, from health to relationships and work
performance. Psychologically, excessive stress can cause feelings of anxiety, fear, angry
reactions, and depression. These feelings can lower self-confidence and affect a person’s ability
to work. If left untreated, stress and anxiety can lead to more serious psychological problems,
such as anxiety disorders or depression. Psychological stressors can aggravate breathing
obstructive problems for people with pre-existing respiratory diseases such as asthma and
chronic pulmonary disease (COPD; includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis) (American
Psychological Association) . Physically, stress can cause many health problems, including
headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, digestive problems, and poor sleep. Pressure and stress can
also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health-related problems.
The consequences of stress and tension can also affect work performance and personal
relationships. Pressure and stress can impair concentration, work efficiency, and decisionmaking. In addition, it can also affect personal relationships, causing tension and conflict in
family, love, and friends. Individual differences also affect the relationship between stress and
performance. Some employees, because of their personalities and abilities, are able to withstand
high levels of stress that seem to propel them on to even higher levels of performance; for such
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employees, high levels of stress are positive. The performance levels of other employees suffer
when stress becomes too high. For each employee, the point at which increases in levels of stress
result in decreases in performance depends on the employee’s personality traits and abilities
(George & Jones, 2012, pg. 251). Stress can create a vicious cycle. For example, as a direct
result of a problematic work environment, a person suffering from chronic stress may be at
particular risk of impaired performance, which can lead to stress.
IV The ways to cope with stress
Many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong
emotions in adults and children. Public health actions, such as physical distancing, can make us
feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. Learning healthy ways to cope and
getting the right care and support can help reduce stressful feelings and symptoms (CDC). Any
kind of change can be stressful, even a good change. It’s not just the changing nature of things,
but also the way you react to them. Stress is different for everyone.
Fortunately, there are various ways to cope with stress. Exercise regularly that physical
activity can help reduce stress levels by releasing endorphins and improving mood. Yoga is
growing in popularity as a means to alleviate stress and can also increase people’s ability to
concentrate. According to the magazine Yoga Journal, 15 million adults in the United States
engage in yoga, and over 35 million say they want to try it in the next 12 months. Yoga involves
practicing certain postures and poses, controlling breathing, and achieving a sense of calm and
alleviating stress (George & Jones, 2012, pg 262). Next, practicing mindfulness involves
focusing your attention on the present moment and accepting your thoughts and feelings without
judgment. This practice can help you become more aware of stress triggers and manage them
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more effectively. Getting enough sleep: Lack of sleep can make stress worse, so it’s important to
aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Eating a balanced diet: Eating a diet rich in whole
foods, fruits, and vegetables can help reduce stress levels by providing the body with essential
nutrients and antioxidants. Socialize with others: Spending time with friends and family can help
reduce stress levels by providing emotional support and a sense of connection. Practice
relaxation techniques: Deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can help
reduce stress levels by promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. Seek professional help: If stress
is interfering with your daily life, it may be helpful to seek the support of a mental health
professional who can provide additional coping strategies and resources.
V Conclusion
Effective stress management techniques include regular exercise, relaxation techniques
such as deep breathing and meditation, time management strategies, social support, and seeking
professional help if necessary. It is important to recognize the signs of stress and take steps to
manage it in order to maintain good physical and mental health. Stress can have physiological,
psychological, and behavioral consequences. The relation- ship between stress and physiological
consequences is complicated, and the most serious physiological consequences (for example,
cardiovascular disease and heart attack) result only after considerably high levels of stress have
been experienced for a prolonged period of time. Psychological consequences of stress include
negative feelings, moods, and emotions; negative attitudes; and burnout. Potential behavioral
consequences of stress include poor job performance, strained interpersonal relations,
absenteeism, and turnover (George & Jones, 2012, pg. 270).
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It is a difficult fact to accept that stress will always exist. Accurately pinpointing your
stressors or stressors can help you manage it. One of the causes of stress stems from your
overthinking and overthinking. Not to mention that most of these thoughts are more negative
than positive, leading to mood swings and even fear. Stress comes from this feeling of fear. In
addition, to keep your mind at ease, you should also pay attention to a scientific and reasonable
diet. The key is to find your groove and make it a practice. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you
may start to feel better once you disrupt the cycle of stress (American Heart Association). There
are people who will find stress advice quite theoretical, difficult to apply. When the body is in a
state of stress, anxiety and deadlock, these suggestions are just the direction you can choose. As
long as our will is important, the will is ready to fight it, then these suggestions on relaxation
methods to help manage stress will have a positive effect on how you can overcome this
situation.
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References
George Jennifer, M., & Jones, G. R. (2012). Understanding and Managing Organizational
Behavior.
Davis, T. Stress Management: Definition, Techniques, and Strategies. Retrieved April 12, 2023,
from https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/stress-management.html
Centre for Studies on Human Stress (CSHS). History of stress. Retrieved April 12, 2023, from
Keegan, M. T. (2019, May 23). Why Are Major Life Changes So Stressful? Transition and
Thrive with Maria. Retrieved April 12, 2023, from
https://transitionandthrivewithmaria.com/why-are-major-life-changes-so-stressful/
Martin, E. (2019, September 26). Inverted U theory. Sanzu Business Training. Retrieved April
11, 2023, from https://sanzubusinesstraining.com/inverted-u-theory/
American Psychological Association (2023, March 8). Stress effects on the body. Retrieved
April 14, 2023, from
https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body#:~%20:text=The%20consistent%20and%20ongoi
ng%20increase,%2C%20heart%20attack%2C%20or%20stroke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2021, November 30). Coping with Stress.
Retrieved April 15, 2023, from
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/about/copingwith-stresstips.html
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American Heart Association (2021, October 4). 3 Tips to Manage Stress. Retrieved April 16,
2023, from https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stressmanagement/3-tips-to-manage-stress
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