Final answer:
The model developed by Lazarus and Folkman in 1975 describing how individuals deal with stressors is called the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. It involves primary and secondary appraisals of a stressor and acknowledges both cognitive and behavioral aspects of coping with stress.
Step-by-step explanation:
The stress model developed by Lazarus and Folkman in 1975 is commonly referred to as the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. According to this model, stress is a result of a transaction between the individual and the environment, in which the individual assesses a potential stressor (appraisal) and responds with various coping methods.
The theory posits that the process of coping with stress is dynamic and context-dependent, consisting of both cognitive appraisal of the stressor as either a threat, harm, or challenge, and of the resources available to deal with it, followed by the actual coping responses, which can be problem-focused or emotion-focused.
Importantly, Lazarus and Folkman differentiate between primary appraisal, where the stressor is identified and assessed, and secondary appraisal, involving the evaluation of available coping strategies and resources.
By considering not only the immediate physical responses to stress but also the role of individual psychological factors, their model provides a more comprehensive framework for understanding the human stress response than earlier models, such as Selye's general adaptation syndrome, which focused mainly on physiological aspects.