Question 1

Which statement BEST describes the effects of optimism on health?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which statement BEST describes the effects of...

Question 2

The exercise of voluntary control over the self to bring the self into line with preferred standards is called:

Accepted Answer

Self-regulation involves consciously controlling one's behaviors, emotions, and thoughts in order to align them with desired standards. Self-motivation refers to the drive to achieve goals, while self-management involves organizing and prioritizing tasks. Self-esteem refers to one's overall sense of self-worth.

Question 3

Compared with participants who received relaxation and meditation training to deal with stress,participants who received hardiness training experienced _____ in perceived personal stress.

Accepted Answer

The question asks about the difference between perceived personal stress reduction in participants who received hardiness training and those who received relaxation and meditation training. The word “hardiness” implies that this training might be more challenging and may help participants develop a stronger sense of resilience or toughness. Therefore, it is likely that participants who received hardiness training would experience greater reductions in perceived personal stress compared to those who received relaxation and meditation training.

Question 4

Sexually active female college students who do not use birth control tend to judge their likelihood of getting pregnant in the next year as _____ the likelihood of the average sexually active female college student becoming pregnant.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of optimistic bias, where individuals believe they are less likely to experience negative events compared to others.

Question 5

Which statement has NOT been suggested as a reason the French are less obese than are Americans?

Accepted Answer

The statement that foods eaten in France contain less fat than those in the United States has not been suggested as a reason for lower obesity rates in France. In fact, French cuisine is known for its use of butter, cream, and other fats, yet the French paradox observes lower obesity rates compared to the U.S. Other factors such as portion sizes, activity levels, and meal duration have been suggested as contributing to this difference.

Question 6

Suzanne Kobasa studied a group of stress-resistant business executives,suggesting that they shared a trait she called:

Accepted Answer

Suzanne Kobasa coined the term "hardiness" to describe a set of traits that enabled stress-resistant business executives to thrive under stress. These traits included a sense of commitment, control, and challenge. Hardiness has since been recognized as a personality trait that helps individuals cope with stress and adversity.

Question 7

Which statement about optimism is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Optimism levels can indeed fluctuate over time, but research suggests that overall levels of optimism tend to be relatively stable across an individual's lifespan. Changes can occur due to life events, circumstances, or interventions, but the core tendency towards optimism or pessimism in an individual shows a degree of stability.

Question 8

Instead of dieting,some psychologists recommend controlling weight by:

Accepted Answer

Psychologists often recommend emphasizing exercise as a sustainable and healthy way to control weight, as it can improve physical health, boost mood, and increase metabolism without the negative psychological effects that strict dieting can sometimes cause.

Question 9

Dr.Flint,a health psychologist,would offer which reason that explains how optimism allows a person to maintain psychological health during physical illness?

Accepted Answer

According to Dr. Flint, optimists maintain their psychological health during physical illness by keeping up social contact and recreational activities during treatment. This suggests that choice D is the best option.

Question 10

The hardy personality has been shown to offer protection from stress-induced illnesses.According to research,the core features of hardiness do NOT include:

Accepted Answer

While social support is considered an important factor in well-being, it is not one of the core features of hardiness. The core features of hardiness include a sense of commitment, belief in control, and a willingness to accept challenge.

Question 11

Phil is an optimist who has a serious medical condition.Research suggests that he will NOT be more likely than will a pessimist to experience:

Accepted Answer

Optimism is associated with various positive outcomes in the context of health, such as lower rates of depression and anxiety, better maintenance of social contacts and recreational activities, and better adherence to medical regimens. However, the specific claim that optimists recover 40% more quickly from serious medical conditions is not supported by research. Recovery rates can be influenced by a multitude of factors, and such a precise figure cannot be universally applied to the comparison between optimists and pessimists.

Question 12

The obesity problem in the United States has its basis,in large part,in the fact that Americans eat:

Accepted Answer

Studies show that portion sizes in the United States have increased significantly in the last few decades. Americans tend to consume larger portions of food than people in other countries, which contributes to the obesity problem.

Question 13

Self-regulation often involves:

Accepted Answer

Self-regulation often involves controlling impulses and delaying gratification in order to achieve long-term goals. This can include avoiding certain behaviors or habits, and instead focusing on healthier choices or actions that will lead to a desired outcome. Relaxation therapy, weighing oneself on a daily basis, and keeping a diary may be helpful tools in the self-regulation process, but they are not necessarily key components.

Question 14

Among people who have just had heart surgery,one would expect that _____ would be _____ likely to have postsurgical complications.

Accepted Answer

Optimists are generally less likely to have postsurgical complications due to their positive outlook, which can influence recovery and coping mechanisms.

Question 15

Research by Baumeiser and colleagues suggests that exerting self-regulation in one area of your life:

Accepted Answer

Baumeister and colleagues suggest that exerting self-regulation in one area of life can deplete self-control in other, unrelated areas. This is known as ego depletion, where self-control is a limited resource that can be exhausted through use. Therefore, exerting self-regulation in one area can reduce self-control and increase impulsivity in other areas.

Question 16

When patients were asked to report how many pills they have taken since their last visit,and then the pills in the bottle were counted to assess the accuracy of the patients' report,Roth and Caron found that patients:

Accepted Answer

The answer of When patients were asked to report how...

Question 17

About what percentage of American adults are overweight or obese?

Accepted Answer

As of my last update in 2023, approximately 69% of American adults are considered to be overweight or obese according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This reflects a significant public health concern in the United States.

Question 18

About what percentage of Americans smoke cigarettes?

Accepted Answer

As of my last update in 2023, approximately 17% of Americans smoke cigarettes. This figure has been declining over the years due to increased awareness of health risks, smoking cessation programs, and stricter regulations on tobacco products.

Question 19

Public health professionals have recognized for some time that one of the major reasons people engage in risky sexual behaviors is because people:

Accepted Answer

Many individuals believe that they are invulnerable to the consequences of engaging in risky sexual behaviors, which can lead to a false sense of security and increase the likelihood of engaging in such behaviors. This misconception can also lead to a lack of concern about the risks associated with sexual activity. Public health professionals aim to combat this belief through education and increasing awareness of the potential consequences of risky sexual behavior.

Question 20

About how many Americans contract a sexually transmitted disease each year?

Accepted Answer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that there are roughly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that occur each year in the United States. This includes a range of infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV.

Quiz 14: Stress and Health-Part A