title: Cognitive activation theory of stress (CATS): from fish brains to the Olympics.
abstract: The Cognitive Activation Theory of Stress (CATS) offers formal and systematic definitions of the terms and concepts used in stress research. The stress response depends on acquired expectancies to the outcome of the stimulus and the available responses. The stress response itself is an alarm, an increase in arousal necessary for performance and adequate reactions to challenges. The response is healthy and necessary for survival. Only when sustained over time may potential health risks occur. The basic rules for when stress occurs are the same across cultures and species, from fish to Olympic performance in humans. The important dimensions for health are positive expectancies of outcome (coping), control, and safety, for all individuals in all species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, N-5009 Bergen, Norway. hege.eriksen@psybp.uib.no
authors.forename: Hege R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Eriksen
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Murison
authors.forename: Anne Marte
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pensgaard
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ursin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*