Question 1

Anne was turned down for a scholarship that she applied for, and as a result of that news she decided that she wouldn't bother finishing her degree. If she wasn't a good enough student to get a scholarship then she was likely to do poorly in the rest of her classes and would be wasting her time and money on more years of school. What would Albert Ellis call this type of thinking?

Accepted Answer

Albert Ellis would call this type of thinking "catastrophic thinking" because Anne is assuming the worst possible outcome from not receiving the scholarship, leading her to believe she will fail in her studies.

Question 2

Simon smokes, Orson is obese, and Chester is a "couch potato" who does not exercise. Which of the following do all three men have a higher risk of developing, compared to normal-weight men who exercise and don't smoke?

Accepted Answer

All three men (Simon, Orson, and Chester) have risk factors associated with heart disease, including smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise. The other conditions listed (acquired immune deficiency syndrome, lung cancer, and ulcers) do not necessarily have a direct correlation with these risk factors.

Question 3

What is associated with moderating or reducing the effects of stress?

Accepted Answer

Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation have been shown to effectively reduce the physiological and psychological effects of stress. Pessimism and stoicism may actually exacerbate stress, while suppressing emotions can lead to pent-up stress and negative health consequences.

Question 4

According to Albert Ellis, what should people alter in order to change their response to stress?

Accepted Answer

According to Albert Ellis and his theory of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), it is the cognitive appraisal of stress that people should alter in order to change their response to stress. Ellis believed that irrational beliefs and negative self-talk are the root causes of psychological distress, and that changing these thought patterns could lead to more effective coping strategies and reducing stress. Therefore, the best answer is option D.

Question 5

When Xiu was rejected for a summer internship he really wanted, he thought that all his plans were ruined and he would no longer be able to get into a good graduate school. Xiu is angry and upset. According to Albert Ellis, what will Xiu think is the cause of his anger?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When Xiu was rejected for a summer...

Question 6

Which life change leads to the biggest improvement in life expectancy?

Accepted Answer

Increasing exercise levels, especially for someone who currently gets no exercise, has been shown to have the biggest improvement in life expectancy. Studies have found that even small increases in physical activity can lead to significant gains in life expectancy. In contrast, decreasing exercise levels has been linked to increased risk of chronic diseases and premature death.

Question 7

Imagine you read a brief newspaper article that states research has shown that eating grilled cheese sandwiches triples the risk of developing asthma. You love grilled cheese sandwiches and you don't want to develop asthma. In evaluating whether you should give up the sandwiches, what is the one piece of additional information that would be MOST useful to you?

Accepted Answer

Understanding the base rate of asthma is crucial to determine how significant the tripling of risk is in practical terms.

Question 8

Imagine you read a brief newspaper article that states research has shown that eating grilled cheese sandwiches is correlated with asthma. You love grilled cheese sandwiches and you don't want to develop asthma. In evaluating whether you should give up the sandwiches, what is the one piece of additional information that would be most useful to you?

Accepted Answer

Understanding the causal factor would help determine if eating grilled cheese sandwiches actually increases the risk of asthma or if the correlation is due to another variable.

Question 9

Which component of the definition of stress best illustrates the unifying theme in psychology that states that our experience of the world is highly subjective?

Accepted Answer

The component of the definition of stress that best illustrates the unifying theme in psychology that states that our experience of the world is highly subjective is C - circumstances that are perceived as threatening are stressful. This component recognizes that stress is not solely dependent on objective circumstances, but also on the individual's subjective interpretation and perception of those circumstances. This subjective interpretation is influenced by numerous factors including personality, past experiences, social and cultural factors, and cognitive biases. This illustrates the idea that how we experience the world is highly subjective and unique to each individual.

Question 10

Which effect of humour has been demonstrated by research?

Accepted Answer

Humour has been shown to moderate the impact of stress by reducing negative emotional responses and boosting immune functioning.

Question 11

What is the goal of hostility management?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the goal of hostility management?
...

Question 12

Of the following individuals, who would be least likely to develop heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Type B personalities are characterized by being relaxed, easy-going, and less likely to experience stress, which is a major risk factor for heart disease. Therefore, Bill is the least likely to develop heart disease compared to the other individuals listed.

Question 13

According to Herbert Benson, what is the key to the beneficial effects of meditation?

Accepted Answer

According to Herbert Benson, the key to the beneficial effects of meditation is relaxation.

Question 14

Imagine you read a brief newspaper article that states research has shown that eating grilled cheese sandwiches significantly increases the risk of developing asthma. You love grilled cheese sandwiches and you don't want to develop asthma. In evaluating whether you should give up the sandwiches, what is the one piece of additional information that would be most useful to you?

Accepted Answer

Knowing whether or not the increased risk is large enough to have practical implications is the most useful piece of information in this scenario. This would allow you to weigh the potential harm of eating grilled cheese sandwiches against the pleasure derived from eating them.

Question 15

Which of the following does NOT moderate or reduce the effects of stress?

Accepted Answer

Suppressing pent-up emotions can actually increase the effects of stress, while regular exercise, humour, and high levels of social support can all moderate or reduce the effects of stress.

Question 16

In which type of therapy would the therapist and client need to detect catastrophic thinking and dispute the irrational assumptions that cause it?

Accepted Answer

Rational emotive therapy specifically focuses on identifying and disputing irrational beliefs and assumptions that lead to negative emotions and behaviors. Catastrophic thinking is often a product of irrational beliefs, so it is likely to be addressed in rational emotive therapy.

Question 17

While Barb frequently talks to others about her emotions when in a stressful situation, her husband Mike actively tries to suppress his emotions and does not like to discuss the stress in his life. Compared to Barb, what will Mike most likely exhibit?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that suppressing emotions can lead to increased autonomic arousal (such as increased heart rate and blood pressure) and decreased immune functioning. Therefore, Mike is likely to exhibit decreased immune functioning and increased autonomic arousal compared to Barb.

Question 18

In a study conducted by McCullough on the wellbeing of divorced and separated women, what was associated with negative emotions, low life satisfaction and excessive rumination?

Accepted Answer

Vengefulness toward the ex-husband was associated with negative emotions, low life satisfaction, and excessive rumination in the study.

Question 19

One's risk of developing heart disease is related to a wide variety of lifestyle factors. Which unifying theme in psychology is illustrated by these risk factors?

Accepted Answer

The answer of One's risk of developing heart disease is...

Question 20

Jane hasn't been feeling well lately and she went to the doctor. Jane just told you the doctor diagnosed her with Illness X and said she needed to have surgery. If Jane wanted to make a risk-benefit decision, what should Jane ask her doctor?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Jane hasn't been feeling well lately and...

Quiz 13: B: Stress, Coping, and Health