In Cohen's 1998 study, individuals living with chronic stress for more than 1, 3, or 6 months were exposed to a cold virus to observe the impact of stress on acquiring the virus compared to a control group. This study illustrates the concept of psychoimmunology, which is the field that examines the relationship between psychological processes (like stress) and the immune system.
Explanation:
1. Psychoimmunology: This study falls under the realm of psychoimmunology because it explores how psychological factors, such as chronic stress, can influence the functioning of the immune system. Stress is known to affect the immune response, making individuals more susceptible to infections like the cold virus. The study aims to understand how stress levels can impact immune function and vulnerability to illnesses.
2. Immune Response: Chronic stress can lead to immunosuppression, which weakens the immune system's ability to fight off infections. When individuals are under prolonged stress, their bodies produce higher levels of stress hormones like cortisol, which can suppress immune function. This makes them more prone to acquiring illnesses, such as the cold virus in this study.
3. Control Group: By comparing the rates at which individuals with chronic stress acquire the cold virus to those in the control group, researchers can assess the direct impact of stress on immune function. If individuals with stress are more likely to get sick compared to the control group, it indicates a correlation between stress and weakened immune response.
In conclusion, Cohen's study on stress and susceptibility to the cold virus exemplifies the principles of psychoimmunology by investigating how psychological factors like stress can influence immune function and vulnerability to infections.
