Building Resistance to Stress and Aging

Richard A Dienstbier is Professor Emeritus and past Chair of the Psychology Department of the University of Nebraska, USA. For 24 years he was the Series Editor of the annual Nebraska Symposium on Motivation. His earlier papers and lectures defined toughness, but by emphasizing toughening impacts on the brain, this book updates and extends the concept.

Introduction 1. Toughness: An Opponent Process 2. The Basic Brain: Grand Structures 3. The Basic Brain: Neurons and Neurochemistry 4. Heredity, Genes, and Environment PART II - INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTERS 5-6: IMPACTS OF STRESSORS, AGING & OBESITY 5. Stress and Challenge: Kinds of Arousal 6. Long-term Stress: Stress Kills Neurons Too 7. The Aging of Brain: Not for Sissies 8. Fat and the Brain: Dumbing with Adiposity PART III - INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTERS 9-14: TOUGHENING AT LAST 9. Basic Toughness: Helplessness and Cold 10. Basic Toughness: Scandinavians and Exercise 11. Nurturance Toughens and Neglect Weakens 12. Cognitive Enrichment Toughens 13. Physical Exercise Toughens 14. Toughening Through Meditation PART IV - INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTERS 15-18 - APPLICATIONS OF TOUGHNESS 15. Toughness Affects Learning 16. Toughening Self Control and Mental Energy 17. Toughness, Emotional Control, and Therapy 18. Summary and a Full Model: It's a Tough Life ?