It can be argued that short-term exposure to stress is adaptive and can increase positive performance. Long-term exposure to stress, on the other hand, is considered maladaptive, yet common, in our society. Consider and research the physiological functioning of stress.

• Describe how stress responses can be adaptive and how this type of stress affects the brain.
• Describe how stress responses can be maladaptive and how this type of stress affects the brain. 
• Compare the ways in which adaptive stress responses and maladaptive stress responses affect the brain.