Question 1

Which stage of the general adaptation syndrome might explain why college students tend to experience a higher rate of absenteeism from class around midterm and final exam time each semester?

Accepted Answer

During the exhaustion stage of the general adaptation syndrome, individuals experience physical and emotional burnout due to prolonged exposure to stressors. This can lead to decreased immune function, fatigue, and absenteeism from responsibilities such as attending classes or work. Therefore, the higher rate of absenteeism among college students during midterm and final exam periods can be explained by the exhaustion stage.

Question 2

John is the type of person who wants everything done perfectly the first time. When playing a game, he feels like he must win. He is easily provoked to anger, but he is also readily ambitious. Based on these traits, John must be a _____________.

Accepted Answer

John's desire for perfection and need to win are both common traits associated with Type A personalities. These individuals tend to be competitive, ambitious, and easily aggravated. Type D personalities are typically characterized by being anxious and fearful, while Type B personalities are known for being laid-back and easy-going. Type T is not a commonly used personality type classification.

Question 3

Research suggests that two ways in which cancer patients can potentially slow the disease's progressions are:

Accepted Answer

Learning anger management techniques can help reduce stress, and being optimistic can improve mental health, both of which may positively influence the body's ability to cope with cancer.

Question 4

The "HPA" axis is an abbreviation for:

Accepted Answer

HPA axis stands for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which refers to the feedback system between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal gland that regulates the body's response to stress.

Question 5

The hormone oxytocin could be described as being involved in the ______________ response to stress.

Accepted Answer

Oxytocin is commonly known as the "bonding hormone" or "cuddle hormone" because it is released during social bonding and contact. It has been found to be involved in the "tend and befriend" response, which is a more nurturing and empathetic response to stress, as opposed to the traditionally studied "fight or flight" response.

Question 6

Jamie has worked for the Jones & Miller law firm for the past five years. The firm is in the process of downsizing and laying off employees. Jamie is afraid that she may lose her job. To help deal with this stressful situation, Jamie tends to rely on her social contacts for support, in addition to nurturing those around her. This is known as _____________.

Accepted Answer

Jamie's tendency to rely on her social contacts for support and nurture those around her is known as "tend and befriend." This is a coping mechanism that is more commonly associated with women, and involves seeking social support and nurturing relationships during times of stress. It is thought to have evolved as a way for women to protect their offspring during times of danger or adversity by forming alliances with other women.

Question 7

Which of the following statements regarding ulcers is true?

Accepted Answer

Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that is responsible for causing the majority of stomach ulcers. While stress and dietary factors can exacerbate ulcer symptoms, they are not the primary cause. There is also a genetic component to ulcers, but it is not the only factor involved.

Question 8

The hormones vasopressin and oxytocin are associated with _______________ and might be related to ________.

Accepted Answer

Vasopressin and oxytocin are known as bonding hormones and are associated with positive social relationships such as trust, empathy, and attachment. They may also have beneficial effects on physical health, such as reducing stress and inflammation, and promoting cardiovascular health.

Question 9

Which of the following is true about HIV/AIDS and stress?

Accepted Answer

Stress can reduce the effectiveness of vaccination and antiretroviral treatments for HIV/AIDS. This is because stress weakens the immune system and can make it harder for the body to fight off infections, including HIV. Therefore, it is important for individuals with HIV/AIDS to manage their stress levels to ensure that their treatments are as effective as possible.

Question 10

Julie has a serious disorder of the immune system that is life-threatening and incurable. This is a condition in which the human immunodeficiency virus attacks and damages the immune system. Julie has ______________.

Accepted Answer

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disorder of the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that attacks and damages the immune system, making the body more susceptible to life-threatening infections and cancers. There is currently no cure for AIDS. Multiple sclerosis is a disorder of the nervous system, Alzheimer's disease is a disorder of the brain, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare brain disorder.

Question 11

The field of __________ studies the relationship between immune and nervous system functioning.

Accepted Answer

Psychoneuroimmunology is the field that studies the relationship between immune and nervous system functioning. Social psychology examines how people interact with one another. Organic medicine involves the use of natural treatments for illnesses. Interactive psychology is not a recognized field of study.

Question 12

For the past six months, Dahlia's job has been extremely stressful, but she doesn't feel that she can quit because she needs the money for tuition. Dahlia has been having chronic headaches and is behind in all of her classes. According to Hans Selye, Dahlia is in the ______ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

Accepted Answer

According to Hans Selye's general adaptation syndrome, the body goes through three stages of stress: the alarm stage, the resistance stage, and the exhaustion stage. The exhaustion stage occurs when the body has been under stress for an extended period and has depleted its resources for dealing with the stressor. Symptoms of the exhaustion stage include physical and emotional exhaustion, chronic headaches, and difficulty concentrating, all of which Dahlia is experiencing. Therefore, the best choice is C, exhaustion.

Question 13

The HPA axis is a system activated to:

Accepted Answer

The HPA axis, or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, is activated in response to stressors and helps to energize the body to respond to these stressors. It involves the release of hormones from the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal gland, which ultimately result in the release of cortisol and other stress hormones into the bloodstream.

Question 14

Joanna has a Type A personality. Which of the following traits are descriptive of her personality?

Accepted Answer

Type A personality is characterized by being competitive and impatient, among other traits such as being highly organized, sensitive, truthful, always trying to help others, proactive, and ambitious.

Question 15

When a person is under stress, the hypothalamus activates the __________ system, producing the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine into the body.

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system is the branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the fight or flight response, which is activated in response to stress. The hypothalamus sends a signal to the sympathetic nervous system to activate the adrenal glands, which release epinephrine and norepinephrine, resulting in increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and other physiological changes associated with stress. This response is important for survival in threatening situations but can have negative health effects if chronic or not balanced with parasympathetic nervous system activity.

Question 16

Which of the following individuals would be most likely to engage a "tend-and-befriend" approach to dealing with significant stress in their life?

Accepted Answer

The "tend-and-befriend" response to stress is characterized by seeking social support and nurturing activities, particularly in a caregiving role. Chantel, as a single mother living with others, is more likely to have social connections and caregiving responsibilities, making her most likely to engage in the tend-and-befriend approach. The other options do not provide information that strongly suggests a tend-and-befriend response.

Question 17

Men who experience ongoing stress are at a much higher risk of developing coronary heart disease compared to other men. How is chronic stress believed to contribute directly to heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Chronic stress has been found to stimulate the body's immune system to release inflammatory molecules that contribute to the development of plaques in the arteries. These plaques can narrow or completely block the arteries, leading to coronary heart disease. This inflammatory response can also cause damage to the heart muscle and increase the risk of blood clots, further contributing to heart disease.

Question 18

When you are under stress, the _______________ sends messages to the endocrine glands along two major pathways.

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is responsible for sending messages to the endocrine glands along two major pathways when under stress. The amygdala and hippocampus are also involved in the stress response, but they do not directly send messages to the endocrine glands. The corpus callosum is involved in communication between the two hemispheres of the brain and is not directly related to the stress response.

Question 19

Which of the following is a key stress hormone released by the adrenal glands?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol is a key stress hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. Melatonin is a hormone released by the pineal gland that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles. Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Substance P is a neuropeptide involved in pain perception.

Question 20

People living under stressful conditions tend to get sick more often than they would otherwise. How do researchers in psychoneuroimmunology explain this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Researchers in psychoneuroimmunology explain that the stress response can reduce immune system functioning, leaving individuals more vulnerable to diseases.

Quiz 16: Health, Stress and Coping