Question 1

One of the most consistent findings in people with chronic stress is that their cortisol levels have become dangerously low.

Accepted Answer

One of the most consistent findings in people with chronic stress is that their cortisol levels have become dangerously high, not low. Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress, and chronic stress can lead to an overproduction of cortisol, which can have negative effects on the body.

Question 2

Mikell has been thinking over and over again about a conflict she has had with a coworker.As a consequence, she has allowed that stressful conflict to pervade her evenings and weekends when she is not at work.Her sister, Tori, also had a conflict with a coworker but seemed to forget about it almost immediately.When their classmates are catching the common cold, which of these two will be more vulnerable to catching the cold as well?

Accepted Answer

Stress can weaken the immune system, making a person more susceptible to illness. Mikell's prolonged stress over the conflict with her coworker may make her immune system less effective, thus making her more vulnerable to catching the common cold. Tori's forgetfulness of the conflict with her coworker does not necessarily make her more vulnerable to the common cold.

Question 3

Sidney is concerned about her health as she grows older and is neither very pessimistic nor optimistic.A friend has advised her to expect the worst so that she will not be surprised when bad things happen, but Sidney has decided she will try to become more optimistic instead and expect that good things are going to happen.As a result, Sidney's health is actually likely to become worse.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that having a positive outlook on life and expecting good things can actually have a positive impact on one's health. Being pessimistic and expecting the worst can lead to stress and anxiety, which can have negative effects on health. So, Sidney's decision to become more optimistic is likely to have a positive impact on her health.

Question 4

Research suggests that an individual who wants to maintain low stress levels would be advised to

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that individuals with higher social support (such as close friendships) and higher SES (acquiring a good education and higher-status job, and living in a higher-SES neighborhood) have lower levels of stress. However, it's important to note that pursuing a high-status job and buying a home in a wealthy neighborhood at the cost of significant debt can actually increase stress levels, so option B is not recommended. Similarly, pursuing a jobless, self-sufficient lifestyle may not be feasible or desirable for everyone, making option D not applicable. Option C is partially correct, as close friendships are indeed important for stress reduction, but educational and occupational pursuits do matter, and cannot be ignored completely.

Question 5

It has been found that individuals from lower-SES backgrounds have on average both greater stress and worse health status than those from higher-SES backgrounds.

Accepted Answer

This statement is supported by a significant amount of research and evidence. Lower-SES individuals often experience more economic hardship, social marginalization, and limited access to resources, which can contribute to greater stress and worse health outcomes.

Question 6

Which of the following was found in breast cancer patients who were evaluated by their physicians as having better responses to the disease?

Accepted Answer

Patients who reported having a sense of control over the course of the disease were evaluated by their physicians as having better responses to breast cancer. This suggests that feeling empowered and in control may have a positive impact on the outcome of the disease. The other choices (A, C, and D) do not align with this finding.

Question 7

Because Rebecca feels as though her health status is in the hands of fate rather than due to her own actions, she is likely to be more relaxed, less stressed, and healthier than if she believed she was in control of her health.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that individuals who believe they have control over their health tend to engage in more health-promoting behaviors and take action to prevent illness, leading to better health outcomes. On the other hand, individuals who feel their health is determined by fate or external forces may be less motivated to take action to improve their health.

Question 8

Diana was asked to give a presentation at work but was given only 10 minutes to prepare.Julie was also asked to give a presentation right after Diana and similarly had a very short time to prepare.Which of the following pieces of information would be useful in predicting how stressed Diana and Julie would become?

Accepted Answer

The information about their social support networks (or lack thereof) would be the most useful in predicting how stressed they would become in this situation. Having close friendships can provide emotional support and help individuals cope with stressful situations, whereas not having close friendships may exacerbate stress levels. The other pieces of information are not directly related to their ability to handle stress in a presentation setting.

Question 9

If we know that Jon left school after the eighth grade and has been working as a janitor for the past 20 years, what research-based predictions could we make about his health status?

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that there is a strong correlation between lower socioeconomic status, including lower-paying jobs like janitorial work, and poor health outcomes such as shorter lifespan, higher rates of chronic disease, and higher rates of mortality. This may be due to a variety of factors, including limited access to healthcare, poor working conditions, and chronic stress related to financial insecurity. While option A may seem plausible due to the association between chronic stress and cortisol levels, it is not a well-established finding in this context. Option C is not accurate as lower-status jobs may not necessarily involve less stress - in fact, janitorial work may involve physical strain and exposure to hazardous materials. Option D is not relevant to Jon's health status.

Question 10

Which of the following is a likely reason that individuals from lower socioeconomic-status (SES)neighborhoods are at greater risk for increased stress and poorer physical health outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Individuals from lower SES neighborhoods are likely to experience higher levels of stress due to exposure to violent crime, a lack of access to recreational spaces and parks, and limited access to health care centers, which can contribute to poorer physical health outcomes. All of the above factors can increase the risk of chronic stress, which has been linked to a range of negative health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health concerns.

Question 11

Because Kesa has been experiencing increased, prolonged stress as a result of going over negative events again and again in her mind, her psychologist has recommended that she try self-distancing.This means that she should

Accepted Answer

Self-distancing means viewing one's own thoughts and feelings from a detached perspective, as if observing them from the outside. This can help individuals like Kesa to gain a broader perspective and a more objective understanding of their own emotional experiences, which can then help them to manage and regulate their emotions more effectively. Engaging in distracting activities or simply thinking about others may not directly address the underlying cause of Kesa's stress and may only provide temporary relief. Regular exercise may be helpful for relieving stress, but it is not the same as self-distancing.

Question 12

Rumination is

Accepted Answer

Rumination refers to the tendency to repeatedly think about a stressful event or problem. It can lead to increased feelings of anxiety and depression.

Question 13

Glenda was recently placed in a nursing home, and her physical health has been gradually deteriorating.Accordingly to the textbook, which of the following would be most likely to improve her health?

Accepted Answer

Allowing Glenda a greater sense of control could improve her health by promoting feelings of independence and self-efficacy, which can lead to improved physical functioning and wellbeing. Pampering Glenda may provide some short-term pleasure, but it is unlikely to have long-term benefits for her overall health. Conserving her strength by resting may be necessary at times, but encouraging her to engage in physical activity could actually improve her physical health. Similarly, reducing stress by limiting visitors may provide temporary relief, but it may also increase feelings of isolation and loneliness, which could harm Glenda's mental and physical health in the long run.

Question 14

If Jenny, a loner, has suffered poor health and chronic stress for much of her adult life, she would do well to cultivate at least a few close relationships.

Accepted Answer

Having strong social connections has been linked to improved health and reduced stress levels. For someone who has suffered poor health and chronic stress, cultivating at least a few close relationships can have significant benefits for their well-being.

Question 15

Which of the following would NOT likely be a mechanism by which optimism is associated with better physical health?

Accepted Answer

Being a loner who is not hassled by the problems of others would not likely be a mechanism by which optimism is associated with better physical health. The other choices are all plausible mechanisms by which optimism could lead to better health outcomes. Greater optimism can lead to engaging in better health practices such as exercise and eating a healthy diet (A). Optimism is associated with lower HPA activity in response to stress, which can reduce the risk of stress-related illnesses (B). Optimists are more likely to develop good social support networks, which can provide emotional and practical support during times of stress and illness (D).

Question 16

Some patients in a nursing home were given opportunities that increased their sense of control.Compared with nursing home patients who did not have these same opportunities, those with an increased sense of control

Accepted Answer

Patients who were given opportunities that increased their sense of control were judged to have improved in overall functioning. There is no evidence to suggest that these opportunities led to a decrease in happiness or physical health, nor is there any indication that patients were more likely to refuse opportunities to participate in group activities.

Question 17

Which of the following does the textbook NOT recommend as a means of reducing stress?

Accepted Answer

The textbook does not recommend seeking out challenging situations as a means of reducing stress. It does recommend practicing meditation, exercising regularly, and cultivating positive emotions as effective ways to reduce stress.

Question 18

Which of the following best summarizes the purpose of activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)axis, accompanied by increased cortisol and temporary immune system suppression?

Accepted Answer

The purpose of activation of the HPA axis, accompanied by increased cortisol and temporary immune system suppression, is to increase survival value by quickly responding to threats. This response prepares the body for fight or flight, allowing for a rapid and efficient response to potential danger.

Question 19

Taylor proposed that we can reduce stress and improve our own health by connecting with others and providing help and paying attention to their needs.The term she used for this approach is

Accepted Answer

Taylor coined the term "tend-and-befriend" to describe how women often respond to stress by caring for others and seeking social support, which in turn reduces their own stress levels and improves their health.

Question 20

Which of the following is an effect of increased cortisol levels?

Accepted Answer

Increased cortisol levels result in an increase in heart rate.

Quiz 15: Social Psychology and Health