Question 1

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 shown that individuals in lower-status jobs, such as janitors, have a higher risk of mortality and shorter life expectancy compared to those in higher-status jobs. The physical demands and exposure to toxins in janitorial work can also contribute to poorer health outcomes.

Question 2

In psychology,the term "rumination" refers to the

Accepted Answer

Rumination in psychology refers to the tendency to excessively think or worry about a stressful event, causing negative affect and potentially leading to depression or anxiety. It is a common symptom of several psychological disorders like depression and PTSD.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Increased cortisol levels stimulate the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline, leading to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. This is part of the body's stress response system.

Additionally, cortisol has been shown to have a suppressive effect on the immune system, so choice B is not correct.

While there is evidence to suggest that cortisol can have an impact on memory, it does not specifically block the formation of traumatic memories, making choice D incorrect.

Question 4

Diana and Julie are asked to give presentations at work with only ten minutes to prepare.Diana has a good friend in the audience,whereas Julie does not.Who is likely to become the most stressed during the presentation?

Accepted Answer

Julie is likely to become the most stressed during the presentation because she does not have a good friend in the audience to support her or provide her with reassurance. Diana, on the other hand, has someone she knows in the audience, which may help her to feel more confident and less stressed. Therefore, Diana is less likely to be as stressed as Julie. C and D are not the best choices because they do not accurately reflect the situation presented in the question.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

There is no evidence to suggest that optimists are less likely to need to rely on others for support, and this is not a mechanism by which optimism is associated with better physical health. The other options are all mechanisms that have been proposed to explain the relationship between optimism and better physical health.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Seeking out stressful situations can lead to elevated levels of stress and may not be an effective means of reducing stress. The textbook recommends meditation, regular exercise, and cultivating positive emotions as effective strategies for reducing stress.

Question 7

While there are many possible reasons why lonely people are prone to physical health problems,Research by Kiecolt-Glaser and Glaser (1995)suggests that these individual

Accepted Answer

The research by Kiecolt-Glaser and Glaser (1995) suggests that lonely people have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Chronically high cortisol levels have been linked to a variety of physical health problems, including weakened immune function and increased inflammation, which can lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Question 8

Mikell has been thinking over and over again about a conflict she 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 friends are catching the common cold,which of these two will be more vulnerable to catching the cold as well?

Accepted Answer

Mikell's elevated stress levels will make her immune system less effective, making her more vulnerable to catching the cold. Tori's conflict did not cause her as much stress, so her immune system is likely to be more effective in fighting off the cold. The amount of time spent socializing with sick friends is unrelated to the question of who is more vulnerable to catching the cold.

Question 9

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 involves focusing on one's feelings from the perspective of a detached observer. This can help individuals gain more clarity and insight into their emotions, and reduce the intensity of their response to stressful situations. Engaging in distracting activities (A) may provide temporary relief but does not address the root cause of the stress. Thinking about friends and family (B) may be helpful in providing social support but does not necessarily help with self-distancing. Jogging (C) may be a way to manage stress, but it does not involve self-distancing techniques.

Question 10

Raul and his boyfriend broke up a few months back.Despite time passing,Raul cannot stop thinking about what happened.His boyfriend seemed so in love with him and then he suddenly did an about-face.Did he meet someone else? Could Raul have done something differently? Over and over again,Raul wonders,"What went wrong?" Raul seems to be doing what?

Accepted Answer

Ruminating means overthinking and dwelling on the same situation or event repeatedly. Raul cannot stop thinking about what happened and is constantly questioning his actions and the situation, which indicates that he is ruminating about the breakup.

Question 11

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

Breast cancer patients who reported having a sense of control over the course of their disease were evaluated by their physicians as having better responses to the disease. This suggests that having a sense of control over one's health and treatment may have a positive impact on health outcomes.

Question 12

Richard is a fairly wealthy man.As part of a research study,Richard is asked to indicate which rung of a ladder best represents his socioeconomic rank.How is Richard most likely to respond?

Accepted Answer

Richard's response will depend on his subjective construal of his relative rank. While Richard is wealthy, he may still perceive himself to be lower on the ladder compared to other wealthy individuals or groups. Additionally, his response may vary depending on cultural or societal norms regarding socioeconomic status. Therefore, it is difficult to determine which rung he will select without considering his personal beliefs and values.

Question 13

What is the correct sequence of biological responses that begin when we experience stress and result in the production of the stress hormone cortisol?

Accepted Answer

The correct sequence starts with the amygdala recognizing a stressor, then signaling the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland, which in turn signals the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.

Question 14

Which of the following was NOT among the findings of Taylor's research (for example,Taylor,1983)on women with breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Taylor's research found that women with breast cancer often engaged in cognitive strategies to cope with their diagnosis, such as finding benefits or silver linings in their situation (e.g., feeling grateful for being diagnosed at an older age or feeling robust enough to fight the disease as younger women). However, it did not find that most women passively accepted their condition; instead, they actively sought ways to cope and make sense of their experience.

Question 15

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

Giving patients in a nursing home opportunities that increase their sense of control has been linked to improvements in their overall functioning. It is unlikely that these patients would show a decline in physical health or reduced happiness as a result of having more control. It is also unlikely that they would refuse opportunities to participate in group activities, as having a sense of control would actually make them more likely to engage with their environment.

Question 16

Gabriel is experiencing psychosocial stress during a job interview.Which area of Gabriel's brain is responsible for initially processing information related to this threat?

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is responsible for the initial processing of emotional information, including threats and stressors. It regulates the body's response to threats and activates the fight or flight response, which is often associated with stress.

Question 17

Tamara and Christy grew up in wealthy families and are now engineers who both make a sizable income.However,Tamara tends to think of herself as better off than most of her friends and colleagues,while Christy tends to think that her friends and colleagues are better off than she is.Given that Tamara and Christy have different perceptions of their social rank,how else are they likely to differ?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Tamara and Christy grew up in wealthy...

Question 18

Psychologist Shelley Taylor (Taylor et al.,2000)proposed that we can reduce stress and improve our own health by connecting with and providing support to others.The term she used for this approach is

Accepted Answer

Psychologist Shelley Taylor proposed the concept of "tend-and-befriend" as a stress-reduction and health-improvement approach. It involves connecting with and providing support to others, particularly during times of stress. This theory suggests that humans have an innate tendency to seek social connections and support during stressful situations, which in turn can lead to improved physical and emotional health outcomes.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Activation of the HPA axis and the associated increase in cortisol levels and temporary suppression of the immune system are part of the body's stress response system. This response prepares the body to quickly respond to threats, whether they are physical or psychological, and to increase the chances of survival.

Question 20

Supporting and connecting with others ________ oxytocin,which in turn ________ cortisol levels.

Accepted Answer

Supporting and connecting with others releases oxytocin, known as the "love hormone," which increases feelings of trust and bonding. This, in turn, decreases cortisol levels, the stress hormone. So, the correct answer is A: increases; decreases.

Quiz 15: Application Module 1 : Social Psychology and Health