Final answer:
The three stages of stress in the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) principle are Alarm, Resistance, and Exhaustion, depicting the body's response to short-term and prolonged stress, leading to potential depletion of physiological resources and health issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three predictable stages of stress according to the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) principle are: Alarm, Resistance, and Exhaustion. These were identified by Hans Selye through his research on the body's response to stress.
Alarm reaction is the initial response to a stressor, mimicking the fight-or-flight response, where hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine surge to prepare the body for immediate action. If the stress persists, the body enters the stage of resistance, adjusting to the stressor with a decreased but sustained physiological response. If the stress continues over a longer period, the stage of exhaustion sets in, during which the body's resources are depleted, leading to possible health problems like depression, immune suppression, and severe fatigue.