Deck 11: Stress, Health, and Human Flourishing

Question 1

When she missed her morning bus ride to work, Shelly's blood pressure rose and she experienced a throbbing headache. Her physical responses to missing the bus were

A) stressors.
B) stress appraisals.
C) stress reactions.
D) emotion-focused coping responses.

Answer 1

stress reactions.

Question 2

The process by which we perceive and respond to events that threaten or challenge us is called

A) stress.
B) psychoneuroimmunology.
C) the adaptation-level phenomenon.
D) neurogenesis.

Answer 2

stress.

Question 3

In the four months after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans' rate of ________ reportedly tripled.

A) suicides
B) breast cancer
C) multiple sclerosis
D) upper respiratory infections

Answer 3

suicides

Question 4

Physical and emotional responses to threatening and challenging events are referred to as

A) biofeedback.
B) stress reactions.
C) emotion-focused coping.
D) stressors.

Question 5

To study how stress and healthy and unhealthy behaviors influence health and illness, psychologists and physicians created the interdisciplinary field of

A) cognitive neuroscience.
B) behavioral medicine.
C) holistic medicine.
D) positive psychology.

Question 6

Oxytocin is a stress-moderating hormone released by

A) lymphocytes.
B) a Type A personality.
C) aerobic exercise.
D) breast feeding.

Question 7

After overcoming the initial shock of having her car stolen, Marlys calls the police for help and begins to question possible witnesses. At this point, Marlys is most likely in the ________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

A) resistance
B) exhaustion
C) adjustment
D) stress appraisal

Question 8

When 15,000 Canadians were asked whether they were trying to take on too many tasks at once, responses indicated highest stress levels among

A) children.
B) young adults.
C) middle-aged adults.
D) retired senior citizens.

Question 9

As a psychologist employed by a medical school, Dr. McNerney specializes in research on the causes of stress and on the effectiveness of various techniques for coping with stress. Dr. McNerney is most likely a(n) ________ psychologist.

A) educational
B) behavioral
C) forensic
D) health

Question 10

A significant life change such as losing a job is best described as a

A) stressor.
B) carcinogen.
C) adaptation-level phenomenon.
D) relative deprivation.

Question 11

In response to various stressors, ________ increases your heart rate and respiration.

A) oxytocin
B) emotion-focused coping
C) neurogenesis
D) the sympathetic nervous system

Question 12

Hans Selye referred to the body's response to stress as

A) the fight-or-flight response.
B) the general adaptation syndrome.
C) the tend-and-befriend response.
D) emotion-focused coping.

Question 13

One option for dealing with stress, which is more common among women than men, is

A) withdrawal.
B) the fight-or-flight reaction.
C) the tend-and-befriend response.
D) the general adaptation syndrome.

Question 14

During which phase of the general adaptation syndrome are organisms best able to physically cope with stress?

A) resistance
B) appraisal
C) adjustment
D) resolution

Question 15

Walter Cannon perceived the stress response to be highly adaptive because it prepared the organism for

A) relative deprivation.
B) the production of lymphocytes.
C) emotion-focused coping.
D) fight or flight.

Question 16

The first phase of the general adaptation syndrome is

A) stress appraisal.
B) resistance.
C) alarm.
D) adjustment.

Question 17

The fight-or-flight response is to ________ as the general adaptation syndrome is to ________.

A) Cannon; Friedman
B) Friedman; Selye
C) Selye; Cannon
D) Cannon; Selye

Question 18

Estée's legs are paralyzed, but she is able to minimize the stress that the inability to walk might have caused by viewing this handicap as a challenge rather than a threat. This illustrates the importance of

A) biofeedback.
B) stress appraisal.
C) the general adaptation syndrome.
D) the Type A personality.

Question 19

After being told that his parents have just been involved in a serious automobile accident, Bill is likely to experience an outpouring of

A) serotonin.
B) dopamine.
C) epinephrine.
D) lymphocytes.

Question 20

A stressor is a(n)

A) lower back muscle that frequently produces a feeling of physical tension.
B) environmental event that threatens or challenges us.
C) exercise program designed to increase our ability to handle normal stress.
D) hormone released by the adrenal glands during periods of stress.

Question 21

Although stress does not create cancer cells, it may affect their growth by suppressing the activity of

A) endorphins.
B) B lymphocytes.
C) the adrenal glands.
D) T lymphocytes.

Question 22

Who is the best example of a Type A personality?

A) Mara, an irritable, impatient teacher
B) Rashida, a highly intelligent, introverted librarian
C) Wilma, a friendly, altruistic social worker
D) Charisse, a fun-loving, self-indulgent university student

Question 23

After breaking up with his girlfriend, Eric came down with a severe respiratory infection. His illness may have been exacerbated to a large extent by a(n) ________ in his body's release of ________.

A) decrease; norepinephrine
B) increase; NK cells
C) decrease; lymphocytes
D) increase; serotonin

Question 24

When experimenters have implanted tumor cells into rodents, those exposed to ________ were more prone to cancer.

A) relative deprivation
B) T lymphocytes
C) inescapable shocks
D) biofeedback

Question 25

Prolonged daily hassles such as unemployment and overcrowding are likely to promote

A) reduced production of glucocorticoids.
B) increased production of NK cells.
C) reduced release of lymphocytes.
D) increased production of oxytocin.

Question 26

A rapid progression from HIV infection to AIDS is ________ by the death of a life partner and ________ by participation in bereavement support groups.

A) inhibited; inhibited
B) facilitated; facilitated
C) inhibited; facilitated
D) facilitated; inhibited

Question 27

The closing of the vessels that nourish the heart muscle is known as

A) the general adaptation syndrome.
B) coronary heart disease.
C) coronary aneurysm.
D) neurogenesis.

Question 28

Psychoneuroimmunology is most broadly concerned with how the psychological, neural, and endocrine systems together affect the

A) reproductive system.
B) cardiovascular system.
C) immune system.
D) respiratory system.

Question 29

By attacking the body's own tissues, an overly reactive immune system is most likely to cause

A) arthritis.
B) colon cancer.
C) pneumonia.
D) hypertension.

Question 30

Who is the best example of a Type B personality?

A) Tammy, an ambitious, self-confident waitress
B) Mauriucca, a relaxed, understanding social worker
C) Tena, a time-conscious, competitive lawyer
D) Juanita, an impatient, pessimistic librarian

Question 31

Worn-out red blood cells and tiny harmful bacteria are ingested by an immune system agent known as the

A) B lymphocyte.
B) macrophage.
C) amygdala.
D) carcinogen.

Question 32

The ABC program has been used with seeming success to

A) prevent HIV infections.
B) slow the transition from HIV infection to AIDS.
C) provide pain medication for AIDS patients.
D) help HIV patients recover from their immune system disorder.

Question 33

An aroused fight-or-flight reaction

A) decreases high blood pressure.
B) diverts bloodflow from muscle tissue to the body's internal organs.
C) prevents arteries from clogging.
D) draws energy away from immune activity.

Question 34

AIDS is a disorder of the

A) circulatory system.
B) immune system.
C) reproductive system.
D) endocrine system.

Question 35

Friedman and Rosenman referred to relaxed and easygoing individuals as ________ personalities.

A) emotion-focused
B) problem-focused
C) Type A
D) Type B

Question 36

Type A is to ________ as Type B is to ________.

A) realistic; idealistic
B) introverted; extraverted
C) hard-driving; easygoing
D) optimistic; pessimistic

Question 37

Viral infections are to ________ as bacterial infections are to ________.

A) B lymphocytes; T lymphocytes
B) Type B personalities; Type A personalities
C) T lymphocytes; B lymphocytes
D) Type A personalities; Type B personalities

Question 38

The white blood cells that fight bacterial infections and attack cancer cells and viruses are called

A) lymphocytes.
B) macrophages.
C) carcinogens.
D) NK cells.

Question 39

Natural killer cells are part of the body's

A) immune system.
B) endocrine system.
C) digestive system.
D) sympathetic nervous system.

Question 40

The greatest number of deaths in North America today result from

A) AIDS.
B) strokes.
C) cancer.
D) heart disease.

Question 41

Who would be MOST susceptible to heart disease?

A) Marvin, an impatient lawyer who often becomes irritated with family and friends over insignificant matters
B) Oswald, a purchasing agent who is very competitive and always wants to be a winner
C) Michael, a time-conscious banking executive who is always five minutes early for appointments because of his sense of urgency
D) Jozsef, a highly ambitious salesperson who is determined to become the manager of his company

Question 42

Rats are most likely to become vulnerable to ulcers when exposed to ________ shock.

A) predictable
B) uncontrollable
C) low-intensity
D) repeated

Question 43

In one study, people who had been angered were asked to hit a punching bag while thinking about the person who had angered them. The results of this study most clearly highlighted the dangers of

A) relative deprivation.
B) learned helplessness.
C) an emotional catharsis.
D) a Type B personality.

Question 44

Hakim has terminal cancer. He reacts to the stress of his condition by feeling grateful for his life and accepting his oncoming death. His response best illustrates

A) neurogenesis.
B) emotion-focused coping.
C) a Type A personality.
D) the general adaptation syndrome.

Question 45

The characteristic that most clearly contributes to the disease vulnerability of Type A personalities is their feelings of

A) urgency.
B) competitiveness.
C) ambition.
D) anger.

Question 46

In which country would parents be LEAST likely to advocate catharsis as a way of helping their children reduce anger?

A) the United States
B) Japan
C) Australia
D) France

Question 47

Using emotional, behavioral, or cognitive methods to alleviate stress is known as

A) the general adaptation syndrome.
B) the fight-or-flight reaction.
C) catharsis.
D) coping.

Question 48

Although inflammation helps fight infections, persistent inflammation heightens the risk of

A) asthma.
B) clogged arteries.
C) depression.
D) all of these problems.

Question 49

An intensely angry person would be best advised to

A) avoid talking about their angry feelings.
B) release their anger through some aggressive action or fantasy.
C) take time to let their anger and emotional arousal subside.
D) mentally rehearse the exact reasons for their anger.

Question 50

Trying to reduce stress by avoiding or ignoring a stressor is most characteristic of

A) emotion-focused coping.
B) the fight-or-flight reaction.
C) problem-focused coping.
D) the general adaptation syndrome.

Question 51

Studying initially healthy men over a 10-year period, researchers found that pessimistic adult men were more than twice as likely as optimistic men to experience

A) an internal locus of control.
B) coronary heart disease.
C) low blood sugar levels.
D) neurogenesis.

Question 52

The term catharsis refers to emotional

A) disturbance.
B) inhibition.
C) release.
D) adaptation.

Question 53

The passive resignation that accompanies an inability to avoid repeated traumatic events is called

A) Type A personality.
B) learned helplessness.
C) the adaptation-level phenomenon.
D) an internal locus of control.

Question 54

To alleviate the stress of long work hours, Phara has arranged a more convenient work schedule with her employer. Phara's behavior best illustrates

A) an external locus of control.
B) a Type B personality.
C) problem-focused coping.
D) the general adaptation syndrome.

Question 55

Milan is upset with his wife because she was over an hour late in picking him up at the airport. He is likely to deal most effectively with his feelings of irritation toward her by telling her

A) "I'm really upset that I had to wait so long for you to get here."
B) "From now on, I'll ask someone at the office to pick me up."
C) "I'm dying of hunger! It's 7:45 and I haven't had dinner yet."
D) "I was starting to worry that you had a car accident on your way over here."

Question 56

Verbal and nonverbal expressions of anger can

A) calm emotions and reduce anger.
B) become habitual if they successfully reduce anger.
C) increase immediate feelings of anger.
D) do any of these things.

Question 57

The risk of death from cardiovascular disease is substantially increased among those with

A) symptoms of depression.
B) Type B personalities.
C) NK cells.
D) B lymphocytes.

Question 58

Researchers examined the photographs of 150 Major League Baseball players who had appeared in the 1952 Baseball Register and had died by 2009. Those who lived an average of 80 years rather than 73 years were distinguished by their

A) height.
B) smiles.
C) muscularity.
D) skin color.

Question 59

A television producer believes that violent TV programs provide viewers an opportunity to reduce their own anger through fantasy. The producer appears to accept the value of

A) the ABC program.
B) the adaptation-level phenomenon.
C) relative deprivation.
D) catharsis.

Question 60

In their classic nine-year study, Friedman and Rosenman found that Type A men are especially susceptible to

A) stomach ulcers.
B) cancer.
C) heart attacks.
D) lupus.

Question 61

In a famous study, a notable improvement in activity, health, and happiness was observed among nursing home patients who experienced

A) the ABC program.
B) biofeedback.
C) personal control.
D) catharsis.

Question 62

Compared with those who perceive an external locus of control, people who perceive an internal locus of control are

A) likely to experience low self-esteem.
B) extremely introverted personalities.
C) likely to be academically successful.
D) not easily able to delay gratification of their personal desires.

Question 63

Primates at the top of the social pecking order are less likely to contract cold-like viral infections than those with lower social status. This best illustrates the value of

A) the general adaptation syndrome.
B) emotion-focused coping.
C) the tend-and-befriend response.
D) perceived control.

Question 64

Corbett refuses to take reasonable precautions to protect his health because he believes good health is just a matter of luck anyway. Corbett's attitude best illustrates

A) post-traumatic stress reaction.
B) an external locus of control.
C) the adaptation-level phenomenon.
D) a Type B personality.

Question 65

Julio believes that no matter how hard he works, the "system" is so biased against his ethnic group that he will be unable to achieve economic success. Julio's thinking most clearly demonstrates

A) the general adaptation syndrome.
B) a Type B personality.
C) an external locus of control.
D) the adaptation-level phenomenon.

Question 66

Students who reported fewer coughs, aches, and pains near the end of the semester were those who had previously been identified as having a(n)

A) optimistic outlook.
B) Type A personality.
C) low lymphocyte level.
D) general adaptation syndrome.

Question 67

In the short run, after exercising self-control, people are ________ able to maintain self-control. In the long run, their self-control is ________.

A) more; strengthened
B) less; weakened
C) more; weakened
D) less; strengthened

Question 68

Amanda is stressed out because she thinks she's too socially inept to make friends with her new classmates. Amanda best illustrates the debilitating effects of

A) an internal locus of control.
B) a Type A personality.
C) problem-focused coping.
D) pessimism.

Question 69

One study found that British people exhibited less obesity, hypertension, and distress at age 30 if they had expressed ________ at age 10.

A) mindfulness meditation
B) an emotional catharsis
C) an internal locus of control
D) a Type A personality

Question 70

Ferdinand was assigned to a small dormitory room with two other freshman roommates. As a result, he feels he has little control over his environment. His body is most likely to respond with

A) a reduced blood cholesterol level.
B) an increase in the release of lymphocytes.
C) a decrease in blood-clotting speed.
D) elevated blood pressure.

Question 71

Compared with those who perceive an internal locus of control, individuals with an external locus of control are

A) more likely to feel depressed and more able to delay gratification.
B) less likely to feel depressed and less able to delay gratification.
C) more likely to feel depressed and less able to delay gratification.
D) less likely to feel depressed and more able to delay gratification.

Question 72

Shortly after exercising ________, people become less restrained in their aggressive responses to provocation.

A) self-control
B) the tend-and-befriend response
C) the ABC program
D) mindfulness meditation

Question 73

Feeling liked and encouraged by intimate friends and family has been found to promote

A) a reduction of natural killer cells.
B) the adaptation-level phenomenon.
C) stronger immune functioning.
D) decreased oxytocin level.

Question 74

Optimists are more likely than pessimists to experience

A) high blood sugar levels.
B) the general adaptation syndrome.
C) perceived control.
D) biofeedback.

Question 75

Students who expect that they will be able to rebound from a low test score through their own effort and self-discipline most clearly demonstrate

A) the fight-or-flight response.
B) the adaptation-level phenomenon.
C) an external locus of control.
D) optimism.

Question 76

Paula expects that diligent study will enable her to earn good grades on her tests. Paula's belief best illustrates

A) emotion-focused coping.
B) the tend-and-befriend response.
C) the adaptation-level phenomenon.
D) an internal locus of control.

Question 77

The perception that one can strongly influence the outcome and destiny of one's own life exemplifies

A) the fight-or-flight response.
B) the Type B personality.
C) an internal locus of control.
D) the general adaptation syndrome.

Question 78

Veena gets poor grades no matter how hard she studies, so she has simply given up studying. Veena's behavior most clearly reflects

A) learned helplessness.
B) an internal locus of control.
C) a Type A personality.
D) the adaptation-level phenomenon.

Question 79

Captive animals are more vulnerable to disease than are wild animals. This is best explained in terms of

A) the adaptation-level phenomenon.
B) relative deprivation.
C) biofeedback.
D) a perceived loss of control.

Question 80

Practicing ________ has been observed to reduce blood sugar and neural activity associated with mental focus.

A) stress appraisal
B) optimism
C) self-control
D) the ABC program