Question 1

When she missed her morning bus ride to work, Shelly's blood pressure rose and she experienced a throbbing headache. Her physical responses to missing the bus were

Accepted Answer

Shelly's physical responses such as increased blood pressure and headache are stress reactions, which refer to the physiological changes that occur in response to a stressor.

Question 2

The process by which we perceive and respond to events that threaten or challenge us is called

Accepted Answer

The process described in the question is known as stress.

Question 3

In the four months after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans' rate of ________ reportedly tripled.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the rate of suicides in New Orleans, particularly among young African American men, tripled in the four months following Hurricane Katrina. The stress and trauma caused by the disaster, including displacement, loss of homes and possessions, and limited access to resources and support, likely contributed to this increase in suicide rates.

Question 4

Physical and emotional responses to threatening and challenging events are referred to as

Accepted Answer

The physical and emotional responses that occur in response to threatening and challenging events are commonly referred to as stress reactions. Stress reactions are a natural response to stressors, which are events or circumstances that are perceived as challenging or threatening to an individual's well-being. Therefore, option B is the correct choice. Biofeedback refers to the use of technology to measure and provide feedback about physiological processes, while emotion-focused coping is a type of coping strategy that involves managing the emotional impact of stressors.

Question 5

To study how stress and healthy and unhealthy behaviors influence health and illness, psychologists and physicians created the interdisciplinary field of

Accepted Answer

The interdisciplinary field that focuses on how stress and both healthy and unhealthy behaviors can influence health and illness is called behavioral medicine. This field combines psychological and medical approaches to understanding health and illness, with the aim of developing interventions that can promote health and prevent illness. Cognitive neuroscience focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying cognition and behavior, while holistic medicine emphasizes the importance of caring for the whole person (body, mind, and spirit) in the treatment of illness. Positive psychology is concerned with the study of positive emotions, traits, and behaviors, and how they contribute to well-being.

Question 6

Oxytocin is a stress-moderating hormone released by

Accepted Answer

Oxytocin is released during breastfeeding and has been shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation in both the mother and baby.

Question 7

After overcoming the initial shock of having her car stolen, Marlys calls the police for help and begins to question possible witnesses. At this point, Marlys is most likely in the ________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

Accepted Answer

The answer of After overcoming the initial shock of having...

Question 8

When 15,000 Canadians were asked whether they were trying to take on too many tasks at once, responses indicated highest stress levels among

Accepted Answer

The answer of When 15,000 Canadians were asked whether they...

Question 9

As a psychologist employed by a medical school, Dr. McNerney specializes in research on the causes of stress and on the effectiveness of various techniques for coping with stress. Dr. McNerney is most likely a(n) ________ psychologist.

Accepted Answer

Dr. McNerney's specialization in researching the causes of stress and coping techniques suggests that she is a health psychologist, as this field focuses on the intersection of psychological factors and physical health. Option A (educational psychology) pertains to learning and teaching processes and would not be relevant to Dr. McNerney's research focus. Option B (behavioral psychology) is a broad field that focuses on observable behavior and would not necessarily be specific enough to describe Dr. McNerney's work. Option C (forensic psychology) is concerned with legal issues and the intersection of psychology and the law, which is not relevant to Dr. McNerney's research focus.

Question 10

A significant life change such as losing a job is best described as a

Accepted Answer

Losing a job is a common example of a stressor, which refers to any event or situation that causes physical, emotional, or psychological distress. It can lead to a range of negative outcomes, such as anxiety, depression, and financial difficulties.

Question 11

In response to various stressors, ________ increases your heart rate and respiration.

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's "fight or flight" response to stress, which includes increasing heart rate and respiration. Oxytocin is a hormone primarily involved in social bonding, emotion-focused coping refers to regulating emotions in response to stress, and neurogenesis refers to the growth of new neurons in the brain.

Question 12

Hans Selye referred to the body's response to stress as

Accepted Answer

Hans Selye coined the term "general adaptation syndrome" (GAS) to describe the body's response to stress. The GAS involves three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Question 13

One option for dealing with stress, which is more common among women than men, is

Accepted Answer

The tend-and-befriend response is a coping mechanism that has been found to be more common among women than men. It involves seeking social support and nurturing others, as well as forming social bonds and connections in order to deal with stress. This may include reaching out to friends or family, joining a support group, or engaging in activities that promote social interaction and connection. This response is believed to have evolved as a way for women to protect and care for their offspring and also to build alliances with others to increase their chances of survival in times of stress or danger.

Question 14

During which phase of the general adaptation syndrome are organisms best able to physically cope with stress?

Accepted Answer

During the resistance phase, organisms activate their physical coping mechanisms and are better equipped to handle and adapt to the ongoing stressor. This phase follows the initial alarm reaction phase and precedes the exhaustion phase in the general adaptation syndrome.

Question 15

Walter Cannon perceived the stress response to be highly adaptive because it prepared the organism for

Accepted Answer

Walter Cannon coined the term "fight or flight" to describe the stress response, which he perceived as highly adaptive. This response prepares the organism to either fight or flee from a potential threat or danger.

Question 16

The first phase of the general adaptation syndrome is

Accepted Answer

The first phase of the general adaptation syndrome is the alarm phase, which is characterized by the immediate physiological reaction to stress. This reaction involves the release of stress hormones and activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Question 17

The fight-or-flight response is to ________ as the general adaptation syndrome is to ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The fight-or-flight response is to ________ as...

Question 18

Estée's legs are paralyzed, but she is able to minimize the stress that the inability to walk might have caused by viewing this handicap as a challenge rather than a threat. This illustrates the importance of

Accepted Answer

Estée's ability to view her disability as a challenge rather than a threat is an example of stress appraisal, which refers to an individual's assessment and interpretation of a situation as either stressful or not stressful. Biofeedback, the general adaptation syndrome, and Type A personality are not directly related to this scenario.

Question 19

After being told that his parents have just been involved in a serious automobile accident, Bill is likely to experience an outpouring of

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is a hormone that is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. When Bill receives the news about his parents' accident, his body will release epinephrine, which will cause an increase in heart rate, breathing rate, and blood sugar levels. This physiological response is commonly known as the fight-or-flight response and helps prepare the body to deal with stress.

Question 20

A stressor is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A stressor is an environmental event that threatens or challenges us. It can be anything from a major life change like the loss of a job or a divorce, to a minor hassle like a traffic jam or a long line at the grocery store. It is important to identify and manage stressors in order to maintain physical and mental health.

Quiz 11: Stress, Health, and Human Flourishing