Deck 13: Stress, Coping, and Health

Question 1

Being prevented from reaching a goal will cause MOST individuals to experience ​

A)conflict.
B)frustration.
C)pressure.
D)vacillation.

Answer 1

frustration.

Question 2

Mason is already late for an important appointment when he realizes he is almost out of gas. He stops to fill up his gas tank, and the clerk has trouble getting approval on his credit card. When he finally pulls out of the service station, the traffic is crawling because of an accident. Inconveniences of this type

A)can often have a significant effect on physical and mental health.
B)are such routine hassles that they are not perceived as stressful.
C)usually create avoidance-avoidance conflicts.
D)are only stressful to individuals with a Type A personality.

Answer 2

can often have a significant effect on physical and mental health.

Question 3

The stressful effects of conflict were examined a century ago by

A)Carl Rogers.
B)B. F. Skinner.
C)Sigmund Freud.
D)Abraham Maslow.

Answer 3

Sigmund Freud.

Question 4

Minor stresses may be more strongly related to mental health than major stressful events, largely because ​

A)of the cumulative nature of stress.
B)minor stresses lead to more intense physiological arousal than major stresses.
C)we are much more intimately involved with minor stresses.
D)we feel more out of control with minor stresses than we do with major stresses.

Question 5

Events that are stressful for one person may not be stressful for another; this may be the result of the fact that

A)anxious people are less likely to perceive events as stressful.
B)neurotic people are more likely to "choke" under pressure.
C)stressed people are less likely to use defensive coping strategies.
D)the way individuals appraise a situation determines whether they are likely to perceive events as stressful.

Question 6

Miranda started a small craft business in her home three years ago. Last year, she finally moved her business into a small store along her town's main street. Last Saturday, most of her store's stock was destroyed as firefighters fought a fire that had started in the vacant office next to her store. As Miranda walks through her ruined store, she is MOST likely to experience a sense of ​

A)burnout.
B)frustration.
C)pressure.
D)conflict.

Question 7

Most frustrating events

A)are brief and insignificant.
B)are long-term issues.
C)do not cause significant stress.
D)are unrelated to aggression.

Question 8

Lazarus and Folkman distinguished between _____ appraisal (where you determine whether an event is stressful) and _____ appraisal (where you evaluate your coping resources).

A)primary; tertiary
B)trauma; reaction
C)primary; secondary
D)secondary; primary

Question 9

The stress that a person actually experiences in different situations is critically influenced by the

A)number of life change units the event involves.
B)person's physical health when the stressor is present.
C)overall magnitude of the stressful event.
D)person's perception of the event as stressful.

Question 10

Circumstances that threaten, or are perceived to threaten, one's well-being and tax one's coping abilities define ​

A)frustration.
B)stress.
C)pressure.
D)conflict.

Question 11

Anthony just received a pop quiz from his instructor, but he decides that he doesn't care how he performs on the quiz because his score is irrelevant to his grade. This evaluation is part of Anthony's _____ appraisal of the situation.

A)primary
B)secondary
C)reactionary
D)response modification

Question 12

Carla has to drive into the city tomorrow, which she always finds stressful. Before she leaves, she envisions her route and considers how she might handle the challenges she meets on the trip. These preparations are part of Carla's
​

A)primary appraisal.
B)secondary appraisal.
C)reaction formation.
D)defensive coping.

Question 13

Which of the following statements is INCORRECT? ​

A)Stress is a subjective experience.
B)The effects of stress are cumulative.
C)Minor hassles may prove more stressful than major ones.
D)One should seek to avoid all stress.

Question 14

Steve was excited when he finally landed the lead role in one of the community theater productions. He has been rehearsing his part for the past two months, but on the day that the play is scheduled to open, Steve awakens with a bad case of laryngitis and is unable to perform. At this point, Steve is MOST likely experiencing ​

A)pressure.
B)conflict.
C)burnout.
D)frustration.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT one of the principle types of stress?

A)Change
B)Anxiety
C)Frustration
D)Pressure

Question 16

Most of Conrad's friends consider him to be highly neurotic. Compared to his friends, Conrad is

A)less likely to perceive events as stressful.
B)more likely to "choke" under pressure.
C)less likely to use defensive coping strategies.
D)more likely to perceive events as stressful.

Question 17

Virginia has wanted to be a physician for as long as she can remember, but she has been unable to gain entry to medical school. Virginia is probably experiencing ​

A)burnout.
B)learned helplessness.
C)regression.
D)frustration.

Question 18

Imagine you studied for this psychology exam with two of your classmates. If one classmate, Becky, was very nervous and "stressed out" about the exam, and the other classmate, Craig, thought the exam "wasn't a big deal," their differing attitudes are MOST consistent with the finding that

A)some people use constructive coping techniques to reduce stress.
B)people's appraisals of stressful events are highly objective.
C)people's appraisals of stressful events are highly subjective.
D)males experience many events as less stressful than females.

Question 19

When people are facing a stressful event,

A)the magnitude of the event usually matches their stress level.
B)the objective seriousness of the event only slightly correlates to their stress level.
C)personality type has little effect on their stress level.
D)they will often prepare or educate themselves before getting highly stressed.

Question 20

What does the research have to say about the general effect of everyday problems and the minor nuisances of life?

A)Minor stresses produce minor effects.
B)Minor stresses have negative effects only when coupled with major stresses.
C)Minor stresses may have significant harmful effects on both physical and mental health.
D)Minor stresses often have significant harmful effects on mental health but don't affect physical health.

Question 21

Today is the day your younger sister's first choice for college said she would get her acceptance (or rejection) letter in the mail. It's 3:00 P.M. and the mail, which usually comes by noon, still hasn't been delivered. MOST likely your sister is experiencing

A)pressure.
B)change.
C)conflict.
D)frustration.

Question 22

Melissa has an old car that is desperately in need of expensive repairs. She is trying to decide whether to spend the $1,500 she has in her savings account to repair her old clunker or use her savings to buy the used car that her neighbor has for sale. As Melissa considers which of these two options she will select, she is facing

A)an approach-approach conflict.
B)an approach-avoidance conflict.
C)an avoidance-avoidance conflict.
D)pressure.

Question 23

Which of the following is an example of a stressful situation that involves conflict? ​

A)You can't decide whether to go to Florida or Mexico for spring break.
B)You're stuck behind a slow-moving car on a one-lane road.
C)You have a term paper due the day after tomorrow that you haven't started yet.
D)You just took out a large car loan.

Question 24

Geena has made it to the final round in a game show. She must now choose between accepting the cash that she has earned to date and risking the cash on the chance to win a new car. As Geena tries to decide between the two available alternatives, she is facing a(n) _____ conflict.

A)approach-avoidance
B)avoidance-avoidance
C)frustration-pressure
D)approach-approach

Question 25

Which of the following occurs when two or more incompatible motivations or behavioral impulses compete for expression?

A)Conflict
B)Frustration
C)Pressure
D)Vacillation

Question 26

You have been invited to dinner at a nice restaurant on the final night of a TV miniseries you have been watching and thus find yourself confronted with

A)pressure.
B)frustration.
C)an approach-avoidance conflict.
D)an approach-approach conflict.

Question 27

When a choice must be made between two attractive goals, we are experiencing a(n) _____ conflict.

A)risk-aversion
B)approach-approach
C)avoidance-avoidance
D)avoidance-approach

Question 28

Megan is looking at the ballot form for a citywide referendum and trying to decide whether or not to support the proposed change. If the referendum passes, better services will be available for all city residents, but it will also mean that residents pay more property taxes. As Megan tries to decide whether to support the proposed referendum, she is facing

A)an approach-approach conflict.
B)an approach-avoidance conflict.
C)an avoidance-avoidance conflict.
D)frustration.

Question 29

If you cannot decide whether to submit to back surgery, which you dread, to alleviate your back pain or to continue to live with the pain, which you sometimes find unbearable, you are caught in a(n) _____ conflict.

A)approach-avoidance
B)approach-approach
C)double approach-avoidance.
D)avoidance-avoidance

Question 30

Behavioral vacillation would be MOST apt to go with which of the following types of conflict?

A)Approach-avoidance
B)Approach-approach
C)Avoidance-avoidance
D)Frustration

Question 31

The pursuit of a goal that has both attractive and unattractive features defines

A)an approach-avoidance conflict.
B)pressure.
C)an approach-approach conflict.
D)an avoidance-avoidance conflict.

Question 32

Scott is taking a course in American history, and his professor has given all the students in the class a choice between completing an in-class final exam that will count for 60% of their final grade or writing a 25-page term paper that will count for 60% of their final grade. As Scott considers which of these two options he will choose, he is MOST likely facing a(n) _____ conflict.

A)frustration-pressure
B)avoidance-avoidance
C)approach-approach
D)approach-avoidance

Question 33

When a choice must be made between two unattractive goals, we are said to be experiencing a(n) _____ conflict.

A)risk-aversion
B)approach-approach
C)avoidance-avoidance
D)avoidance-approach

Question 34

The week of final exams subjects most students to which of the following kinds of stress?

A)Pressure
B)Change
C)Frustration
D)Conflict

Question 35

Two blockbuster movies are opening on the same weekend and Andrea is having trouble deciding which movie to see first. Andrea is experiencing a(n) _____ conflict.

A)risk-aversion
B)approach-approach
C)avoidance-avoidance
D)avoidance-approach

Question 36

_____ conflicts often cause the MOST indecision.

A)Attractive-attractive
B)Approach-avoidance
C)Avoidance-avoidance
D)Approach-approach

Question 37

Leonard has 15 years of seniority at a job with a small company where he gets along well with everyone. Recently, a competitor called to offer him a job that would pay more money, but where he would have to start over with no seniority. As Leonard tries to decide whether to accept the new job because it offers more money or turn it down because it would mean giving up his seniority, he is facing

A)an approach-approach conflict.
B)an approach-avoidance conflict.
C)an avoidance-avoidance conflict.
D)pressure.

Question 38

In general, the LEAST stressful conflict is the _____ conflict.

A)avoidance-avoidance
B)approach-avoidance
C)approach-approach
D)double approach-avoidance

Question 39

Which of the following is an example of a stressful situation that involves frustration? ​

A)You want to go to the big game tomorrow, but the game is sold out.
B)You can't decide which movie to rent for tonight.
C)Your parents expect you to get at least a 3.00 GPA this semester.
D)You just moved into a different apartment.

Question 40

A person who loves to eat but at the same time fears becoming overweight is MOST likely experiencing ​

A)an approach-approach conflict.
B)an avoidance-avoidance conflict.
C)an approach-avoidance conflict.
D)the fight-or-flight response.

Question 41

Recent studies have revealed an association between work-related pressure and ​

A)migraine headaches.
B)interpersonal conflict.
C)heart disease.
D)secondary appraisal.

Question 42

Which of the following types of conflict tends to be MOST unpleasant and highly stressful?

A)Approach-approach
B)Avoidance-avoidance
C)Approach-avoidance
D)Pressure

Question 43

The Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) is BEST described as including both ​

A)positive and negative events.
B)large and small events.
C)personal and environmental events.
D)positive and negative and major and minor events.

Question 44

The Flashback football team was down by 35 points at half-time, but they made a big comeback in the second half. With less than 15 seconds remaining on the clock, they scored a touchdown that narrowed the other team's lead to a single point. Their quarterback has decided to try for a two-point conversion in an attempt to win the game by a single point in the final seconds. As the team lines up for the last play of the game, both the quarterback and the intended receiver are likely to be experiencing ​

A)frustration.
B)conflict.
C)burnout.
D)pressure.

Question 45

Which of the following is an example of a stressful situation that involves pressure?

A)You just transferred to a different college.
B)You are stuck in a traffic jam on your way to work.
C)You are meeting your significant other's parents tomorrow and your partner wants you to make a good impression.
D)You can't decide whether to study for your psychology exam or work on your history paper.

Question 46

A change in your marital status, a job change, moving, having a baby, and getting promoted are all examples of ​

A)chronic stressors.
B)acute stressors.
C)life changes.
D)conflicts.

Question 47

Current research suggests that it is MOST accurate to view the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) as assessing changes

A)that relate to pressure and conflict.
B)that relate to major life events.
C)that relate to a wide variety of stressful experiences.
D)of all varieties.

Question 48

Holmes and Rahe reasoned that MOST major sources of stress for people come from

A)failures.
B)life events involving loss.
C)changes in one's life that require readjustment.
D)only those life changes that the person sees as negative.

Question 49

Studies of college students have found that MOST pressure comes from

A)parents.
B)within the students themselves.
C)professors.
D)potential employers.

Question 50

People with higher scores on the Social Readjustment Rating Scale have been found to ​

A)react more negatively to stressful events.
B)be more vulnerable to physical illness and psychological problems.
C)have a more external locus of control.
D)cope more effectively with stress.

Question 51

Dr. Gouin believes that getting a promotion at work or getting married is just as stressful as losing a job or getting a divorce. Dr. Gouin's beliefs are MOST like those of ​

A)Scheier and Carver.
B)Miller and DiMatteo.
C)Friedman and Rosenman.
D)Holmes and Rahe.

Question 52

Next semester, John needs to take one required course to complete his history major. The two sections of the course are offered at 8:00 A.M. (not ideal for John, who likes to sleep until 10:00 A.M.) and at noon with a professor usually referred to as Dr. Dull. As John decides on his schedule, he will MOST likely experience an _____ conflict.

A)avoidance-avoidance
B)approach-avoidance
C)attack-avoidance
D)approach-approach

Question 53

Demands or expectations to behave in a certain way define the notion of ​

A)stress.
B)conflict.
C)frustration.
D)pressure.

Question 54

Current thinking on change and stress suggests that ​

A)change is not inherently or inevitably stressful.
B)both positive and negative changes are equally stressful.
C)too much change of whatever sort automatically makes one more vulnerable to physical and psychological problems.
D)keeping change to a minimum is an effective way to avoid the harmful effects of stress.

Question 55

When you become angry as a result of stress, this is a(n) _____ response.

A)emotional.
B)physiological.
C)behavioral.
D)social.

Question 56

James has an important job interview tomorrow morning, and he obviously wants to do a good job of selling himself to the interviewer. James is MOST likely experiencing ​

A)pressure.
B)frustration.
C)conflict.
D)change.

Question 57

Researchers have uncovered strong links between cognitive reactions or the _____ and specific emotions.

A)magnitude of the event
B)appraisal of the event
C)frequency of occurrence of the event
D)number of other people who are present

Question 58

Winona has a ten-page term paper due first thing in the morning, and she still has over half the paper left to write. At the same time, her boyfriend is insisting that she come to his concert because he will be performing his first violin solo. She knows that she needs to work on the paper, but she also knows her boyfriend will be disappointed if she doesn't attend the concert. Winona is MOST likely feeling

A)pressure.
B)frustration.
C)vacillation.
D)burnout.

Question 59

The Social Readjustment Rating Scale was designed specifically to measure ​

A)change.
B)conflict.
C)control.
D)aggression.

Question 60

Rosemary recently married her high school sweetheart and they moved into a wonderful new condominium. A week after the move, Rosemary was offered a job she had been hoping to get. According to Holmes and Rahe, Rosemary is likely to be experiencing

A)little or no stress.
B)an approach-approach conflict.
C)a high level of stress.
D)overcompensation.

Question 61

A recent study using photos of professional baseball players appeared to indicate that people who experience positive emotions _____ than those who experience fewer positive emotions.

A)are more productive at work
B)live longer
C)are more athletic
D)are more likely to be excellent baseball players

Question 62

Which of the following is LEAST accurate with regard to defense mechanisms?

A)They are aimed at protecting one from unwelcome emotions.
B)They rarely solve personal problems.
C)They distort reality.
D)They invariably reduce coping effectiveness.

Question 63

Recent research suggests that _____ emotions experienced while under stress appear to play a key role in helping people bounce back from the difficulties associated with stress.

A)very intense
B)negative
C)positive
D)unexpected

Question 64

As a task becomes more complex, the optimal level of arousal to best perform the task

A)increases.
B)stays the same.
C)first decreases and then increases.
D)decreases.

Question 65

Which of the following statements concerning positive emotions and stress is the LEAST accurate?

A)Positive emotions can arise under the direst circumstances.
B)Experiencing positive emotions while under stress is rare, and it is associated with denial in most individuals.
C)The presence of positive emotions can promote creativity and flexibility in problem solving.
D)The presence of positive emotions may reduce vulnerability to heart disease.

Question 66

Research has shown that the emotional responses to stress ​

A)may involve either positive or negative emotions.
B)always involve negative emotions.
C)typically alternate between positive and negative emotions.
D)are more intense in women than in men.

Question 67

The name Hans Selye gave to the body's response to stress is ​

A)the fight-or-flight response.
B)the general adaptation syndrome.
C)catharsis.
D)defensive coping.

Question 68

In a stress reaction, the pituitary gland releases the hormone ACTH, which stimulates the

A)gonads.
B)adrenal cortex.
C)hypothalamus.
D)medulla.

Question 69

All of the following accurately reflect Selye's description of physiological responses to stress EXCEPT ​

A)if a stress is prolonged, the individual becomes accustomed to the threat.
B)resistance represents a failure to cope with the stressor.
C)continuing exposure to a stress may result in the individual exhibiting increased susceptibility to diseases of adaptation.
D)initially stress causes an activation of the fight-or-flight response.

Question 70

The correct order for the three stages of Selye's general adaptation syndrome is ​

A)primary, secondary, tertiary.
B)recognition, reaction, evaluation.
C)alarm, adaptation, recovery.
D)alarm, resistance, exhaustion.

Question 71

Ivan's car began to slip sideways on the rain-slick road. As his car spun out of control and into the path of oncoming traffic, his pituitary gland began to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This would have stimulated the adrenal glands and caused

A)the adrenal cortex to begin to release corticosteroids.
B)the adrenal medulla to begin to release corticosteroids.
C)the adrenal cortex to begin to release catecholamines.
D)his amygdala to slow the release of acetylcholine.

Question 72

Mildred has to drive across town to help a friend who is experiencing a crisis. It is a time of day when traffic is light, so this should be a fairly simple task. Research into the link between arousal level and task performance suggests that under these circumstances, ​

A)a fairly low level of arousal should be optimal for this task.
B)Mildred's level of arousal will increase as she gets closer to her friend's house.
C)a fairly high level of arousal should be optimal for this task.
D)a moderate level of arousal should be optimal for this task.

Question 73

The notion that positive emotions alter people's mindsets, increasing their creativity and flexibility in problem solving, is part of the _____ theory of positive emotions.

A)flexible creativity
B)broaden-and-build
C)ebb and flow
D)optimal arousal

Question 74

Leigh works as a tax accountant and has to complete complex worksheets for each of her clients. Adriana works in a factory where she performs a fairly simple visual inspection of the finished product. Assuming both Leigh and Adriana experienced a high level of arousal after hearing some distressing news, you should expect that

A)Leigh's performance will be impaired more than Adriana's performance.
B)Adriana's performance will be impaired more than Leigh's performance.
C)both Leigh and Adriana will show significant impairment in the performance of their respective jobs.
D)neither Leigh nor Adriana will show any impairment in the performance of their respective jobs.

Question 75

Which of the following is NOT a component of the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions?

A)Positive emotions broaden one's scope of attention.
B)Positive emotions enhance the effectiveness of defense mechanisms.
C)Positive emotions can undo the effects of negative emotions.
D)Positive emotions promote rewarding social interactions.

Question 76

An organism first recognizes the existence of a threat and physiological arousal occurs during the _____ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

A)fight-or-flight
B)resistance
C)exhaustion
D)alarm

Question 77

The optimal level of arousal for task performance

A)is about the same from one task to another.
B)increases as the tasks become more complex.
C)decreases as the tasks become more complex.
D)relates more to personal makeup than to the task.

Question 78

The general adaptation syndrome describes one's _____ responses to stress.

A)emotional
B)behavioral
C)physiological
D)emotional, behavioral, and physiological

Question 79

Clarice was in a meeting with several other employees when her boss started to criticize a proposal Clarice had put together for the marketing department. As he started into his critique, Clarice's heart rate and respiration increased, and she could feel her face and hands become flushed and red. According to Selye's general adaptation syndrome, Clarice was experiencing

A)a resistance reaction.
B)physiological exhaustion.
C)autonomic rebound.
D)an alarm reaction.

Question 80

The relationship between level of arousal and task performance is described by the

A)inverted-U hypothesis.
B)brain-body pathway.
C)general adaptation syndrome.
D)broaden-and-build theory.