Deck 12: Stress, Coping and Health

Question 1

________ consist(s)of the tension, discomfort, or physical symptoms that arise when a situation strains our ability to cope effectively.

A)Stress
B)Anxiety
C)Trauma
D)Stimuli

Answer 1

Stress

Question 2

Edgar is learning deep-breathing techniques to reduce anxiety about having been robbed at knifepoint. This is an example of ________.

A)problem-focused coping
B)emotion-focused coping
C)avoidance
D)reappraisal

Answer 2

emotion-focused coping

Question 3

Mary just received a traffic ticket but decided it is not worth being upset about. Mary just made a ________.

A)primary appraisal
B)secondary appraisal
C)stress-related decision
D)hassle-related decision

Answer 3

primary appraisal

Question 4

When encountering a potentially threatening event, people first decide whether the event is harmful; this is known as ________. Then, a(n)________ is made about how well one can cope with that event.

A)primary appraisal; secondary appraisal
B)initial appraisal; general appraisal
C)secondary appraisal; primary appraisal
D)general appraisal; initial appraisal

Question 5

Corticosteroids are stress hormones that

A)calm the body when facing a stressful situation.
B)interfere with the body's ability to function during stressful events.
C)stimulate nervous breakdowns.
D)activate the body and prepare it to respond to stressful circumstances.

Question 6

Stress is a(n)________ while a stressor is a ________.

A)stimulus; response
B)adaptive event; maladaptive event
C)emotion; behaviour
D)response; stimulus

Question 7

Researchers view stress in the following three ways:

A)a stimulus, a transaction with the environment, and a response.
B)a response, an apprehension, and a stimulus.
C)a fear, an attack, and a rage.
D)a stimulus, an uneasiness, and a response.

Question 8

After we have decided that a certain event is a stressor, we must decide how we will deal with it. This process is called ________.

A)primary appraisal
B)secondary appraisal
C)tertiary appraisal
D)distress-eustress dichotomy

Question 9

Working a second job to pay off your credit card bills is an example of ________.

A)problem-focused coping
B)emotion-focused coping
C)distraction
D)reappraisal

Question 10

Which of the following is TRUE regarding coping strategies?

A)Eric engages in problem-focused coping when he faces the challenges of life head-on.
B)Marilee engages in problem-focused coping when she places a positive spin on her feelings and situation.
C)Bao engages in emotion-focused coping when he believes he is unable to deal with the stressful event.
D)Westin engages in emotion-focused coping when he cries uncontrollably to comfort himself.

Question 11

According to Lazarus and colleagues, our first task when faced with a potential stressor is to assess whether the event is harmful to us. This evaluation is referred to as ________.

A)primary appraisal
B)secondary appraisal
C)stress-related decision
D)hassle-related decision

Question 12

Imagine that you have just flunked a class. You evaluate this situation and decide that flunking a class is stressful and important enough to be upset about. Next, you decide to repeat the class in summer school. You have made ________.

A)a primary appraisal only
B)both a primary and a secondary appraisal
C)a stress-related decision
D)a hassle-related decision

Question 13

The fact that hassles can be used to predict psychological adjustment even when major life events are removed from the equation demonstrates which of the following concepts in this chapter?

A)Correlation versus causation
B)Replicability
C)Ruling out rival hypotheses
D)Occam's Razor

Question 14

Many people believe that difficult events such as divorce are caused by stress, and yet they fail to consider the possibility that these events may actually BE the cause of stress. In fact, the relationship may go both ways at the same time! Which concept from this chapter is demonstrated by this uncertain relationship?

A)Correlation versus causation
B)Replicability
C)Extraordinary claims
D)Falsifiability

Question 15

According to Holmes and Rahe, a person who has a higher score on the Social Readjustment Rating Scale is more likely than are people with lower scores to have what kind of experience in the near future?

A)More frequent changes of job
B)A divorce
C)Commission of a crime
D)A higher chance of becoming ill

Question 16

David Holmes and colleagues developed the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)to measure change due to ________.

A)natural disasters
B)major life events
C)social difficulties
D)negative life events

Question 17

Vanna's mother is ill and Vanna is feeling overwhelmed and sad. To cope with this stress of her mother's illness, Vanna has been writing her feelings down in a journal. Vanna is using ________.

A)problem-focused coping
B)emotion-focused coping
C)distraction
D)reappraisal

Question 18

Which scale is used to rank order different life events, such as "jail term" or "personal injury or illness", in terms of their stressfulness?

A)Social Readjustment Rating Scale
B)Beck Stress Response Inventory
C)Minnesota Multiphasic Stress Scale
D)Rorschach Test

Question 19

Coping strategies can be either ________-focused or ________-focused in nature.

A)problem; emotion
B)distress; eustress
C)physiologically; spiritually
D)internally; externally

Question 20

Which of the following statements is the most accurate?

A)Hassles have a greater effect on adjustment than major life events.
B)Hassles are minor annoyances or nuisances that tax one's ability to cope.
C)Only major life events, and not hassles, are associated with poor general health.
D)Difficulties with relaxing and insomnia only reflect everyday hassles and are not related to depression or anxiety.

Question 21

After the initial physical reaction to a stressor, Sonya enters the second stage of Selye's general adaptation syndrome. This stage is known as ________.

Question 22

What are three approaches researchers have used in the study of stress?

A)Stress as a transaction, appraisal, and outcome
B)Stress as a stimuli, response, and transaction
C)Stress as a process, personality trait, and outcome
D)Stress as coping, appraisal and transaction

Question 23

Jerome was very anxious about his final exam in General Psychology. On the day of the exam, his heart rate was faster, his breathing was faster, and his hands were sweaty. As Jerome worked his way through the exam, he began to relax and focus on the questions. After the exam, Jerome went back to his dorm room and fell asleep. Jerome is in the ________ stage of Selye's GAS.

Question 24

According to Selye, we go through three stages in reaction to stress. Excitement of the autonomic nervous system, release of stress hormones, and physical symptoms of anxiety are part of the ________ stage.

Question 25

Burning your toast, having trouble opening an email attachment, breaking a glass, and running late for an appointment are all examples of ________.

A)uplifts
B)hassles
C)downturns
D)distress

Question 26

The stress-response pattern proposed by Hans Selye that consists of three stages-alarm, resistance, and exhaustion-is called the ________ syndrome.

A)tension remediation
B)stress inoculation
C)functional limitation
D)general adaptation

Question 27

The hypothalamus sits atop a mind-body link known as the hypothalamus-pituitary-________ axis that controls the way the body responds to the presence of a stressor.

A)anticholinergic
B)adrenal
C)antigenic
D)adaptive

Question 28

Which psychologist is credited with proposing the general adaptation syndrome?

A)Hans Selye
B)Berkowitz
C)Holmes and Rahe
D)Lazarus

Question 29

Which of the following is not a positive outcome associated with the experience of a natural disaster?

A)Increased social awareness
B)Cementing of interpersonal bonds
C)Enhanced intrapersonal awareness
D)Enhanced financial standing

Question 30

Monroe and his wife have to deal with the fact that her mother calls their house at least 10 times a day, usually with no important reason for the call. She is a lonely individual, and her calls seem to be about finding something to do. Monroe finds her calls bothersome, but he tries not to let them get to him because deep down he really does love his mother-in-law. In this case, Monroe's mother-in-law might be best described as a(n)________.

A)stressor
B)hassle
C)major life event
D)eustress inducer

Question 31

One of the major criticisms of the Holmes and colleagues' Social Readjustment Rating Scale is that it

A)only referred to life events.
B)relied on self-report by participants.
C)lists the experience, rather than interpretation, of events.
D)includes reference to everyday hassles.

Question 32

During the alarm stage of the general adaptation syndrome, ________.

A)the central and somatic systems are activated
B)synaptic activity and the somatic nervous system activate to send messages from the CNS to muscles
C)the sympathetic nervous system is activated and the adrenal glands release hormones
D)neurotransmitter levels and the central nervous system are activated

Question 33

What is the correct sequence of stages in the general adaptation syndrome?

A)Resistance, alarm, exhaustion
B)Exhaustion, resistance, alarm
C)Alarm, exhaustion, resistance
D)Alarm, resistance, exhaustion

Question 34

Selye studied the effect of stress. He argued that we are sensitive to the environment and tend to kick into high gear in response to stressful situations. According to Selye, when Janice experiences a physical reaction in response to an upcoming exam, her pattern of responding to stress is called ________.

Question 35

Some have suggested that the relationship between hassles and stress, as demonstrated by the Hassles Scale, might actually be better explained by the fact that some of the symptoms noted may reflect symptoms of a psychological disorder such as depression. This is an important reminder of the value of ________.

A)ruling out rival hypotheses
B)replicability
C)Occam's Razor
D)extraordinary claims

Question 36

Research results regarding whether daily hassles or major life stressors are more predictive of psychological distress have identified that

A)neither hassles nor major life stressors have been clearly linked to psychological distress.
B)daily hassles do not provide any additional understanding of the relationship between stress and health.
C)major life events are the sole determinant of the relationship between stress and health.
D)both hassles and major life stressors appear to contribute to the experience of psychological distress.

Question 37

Adelaide hears a hissing sound as she hikes through the desert. Her muscles tense and her blood pressure rises. According to Hans Selye, she is in the ________.

A)chronic stress phase
B)alarm phase
C)exhaustion phase
D)resistance phase

Question 38

The term "fight-or-flight response" was coined by American psychologist ________.

A)William James
B)Walter Cannon
C)Francis Sumner
D)Mary Carver

Question 39

Researchers have demonstrated that stressful events such as natural disasters, can ________ communities.

Question 40

Which of the stages of the general adaptation syndrome is most indicated by activation of the fight-or-flight system?

A)Alarm
B)Resistance
C)Rumination
D)Exhaustion

Question 41

Jamie has worked for the Jones & Miller law firm for the past five years. The firm is in the process of downsizing and laying off employees. Jamie is afraid that she may lose her job. To help deal with this stressful situation, Jamie tends to rely on her social contacts for support, in addition to nurturing those around her. This is known as ________.

A)fight or flight
B)tend and befriend
C)reliance and coping
D)friend or relationship

Question 42

The purpose of ________ is to protect the body against the invasion of bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other illness-producing organisms.

A)antigens
B)lymphocytes
C)phagocytes
D)the immune system

Question 43

Ramon was in a serious car accident in which he was almost killed. Since recovering from his injuries, Ramon finds he has difficulty sleeping. He jumps at the slightest noise and he keeps remembering the details of the accident. Ramon is likely experiencing ________ disorder.

Question 44

Donald served in the military and was deployed during wartime. He does not often talk about the things he saw and did in combat, but sometimes he has ________, which include vivid memories, feelings, and images of the traumatic experiences he endured. As a result, he has been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder by a psychiatrist who specialises in working with combat veterans.

A)trips
B)delusions
C)flashbacks
D)hallucinations

Question 45

According to Hans Selye, resistance to stress is lowest at the ________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

A)alarm
B)resistance
C)exhaustion
D)collapse

Question 46

Leanne reacts to stress by reaching out to her friends and family. She is displaying the coping mechanism known as ________.

Question 47

The field of ________ studies the effects of psychological factors such as stress, emotions, thinking, and behaviour on the immune system.

A)social psychology
B)organic medicine
C)psychoneuroimmunology
D)interactive psychology

Question 48

Antibodies, which stick to the surface of foreign invaders to slow their progress and attract other proteins that destroy them, are produced by ________.

A)B cells
B)Killer T cells
C)K cells
D)G cells

Question 49

According to Selye, some people may develop illnesses such as organ damage, depression, anxiety, or a weakened immune system during the ________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

A)alarm
B)collapse
C)exhaustion
D)resistance

Question 50

Julie has a serious disorder of the immune system that is life-threatening and incurable. This is a condition in which the human immunodeficiency virus attacks and damages the immune system. Julie has

A)multiple sclerosis.
B)Alzheimer's.
C)acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
D)human papilloma virus (HPV).

Question 51

For the past six months, Jenna's job has been extremely stressful, but she doesn't feel that she can quit because she needs the money for tuition. Jenna has been having chronic headaches and is behind in all of her classes. According to Hans Selye, Jenna is in the ________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

A)alarm
B)collapse
C)exhaustion
D)resistance

Question 52

A person in the ________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome has adapted to the presence of a stressor and is beginning to find ways to cope with it.

A)alarm
B)resistance
C)exhaustion
D)termination

Question 53

Amanda signed up with the army immediately after she graduated from high school. She was soon sent to Iraq. During her two years in Iraq she witnessed many gruesome catastrophes. Upon returning home she felt detached and estranged from her old friends, was easily startled, and had difficulties sleeping due to the vivid memories of the horrific events. Amanda displays the symptoms of ________.

A)flashbacks
B)posttraumatic stress disorder
C)anxiety
D)depression

Question 54

In which stage of the general adaptation syndrome has the body reached the limits of its ability to adapt to stress, which may result in the development of stress-related diseases?

A)Alarm
B)Collapse
C)Exhaustion
D)Resistance

Question 55

Which of the following individuals would be most likely to engage a "tend-and-befriend" approach to dealing with significant stress in their life?

A)Dante, who is 75 years old, single, and retired from a long career in the navy
B)Christopher, who is 42 years old, married, and works long hours to support his family
C)Chantel, who is a 37-year-old single mother living with her son and two roommates
D)Tamika, who is a 14-year-old first-generation Greek-Australian primary-school student living with her grandparents

Question 56

Young Jonah has an infection on his little finger that developed as a result of a simple cut. As the infection first penetrates the skin, what type of cell would be responsible for engulfing the offending invaders to prevent them from doing any damage?

A)Macrocytes
B)Macrophages
C)Killer T cells
D)Phagocytes

Question 57

For the past six months, Dahlia's job has been extremely stressful, but she doesn't feel that she can quit because she needs the money for tuition. Dahlia has doing her best to maintain a positive attitude even though she has really felt quite stressed. According to Hans Selye, Dahlia is in the ________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

A)alarm
B)collapse
C)exhaustion
D)resistance

Question 58

Discuss Selye's general adaptation syndrome (GAS)and include the three stages of adaptation.

Question 59

Which stage of the general adaptation syndrome might explain why college students tend to experience a higher rate of absenteeism from class around midterm and final exam time each semester?

A)Resistance
B)Exhaustion
C)Alarm
D)Surrender

Question 60

The body's first shield from foreign invaders is ________.

A)the skin
B)antigens
C)pathogens
D)white blood cells

Question 61

________ is the term used to describe illnesses in which emotions and stress contribute to, maintain, or aggravate the physical symptoms.

A)Psychophysiological
B)Biopsychosocial
C)Psychoneuroimmunology
D)Generalised anxiety

Question 62

According to the ________ perspective, medical conditions (for example, AIDS)depend on the interaction of genes, lifestyle, immunity, social support, and self-perceptions.

A)psychophysiological
B)biopsychosocial
C)psychoneuroimmunology
D)psychological

Question 63

Adams believes that illnesses are caused by a variety of factors. He believes that heart disease is caused by a combination of genetics, lifestyle, social support, and everyday stress. Dr Adams takes the ________ view of medicines.

Question 64

The ________ perspective recognises that most medical conditions are contributed to by a multitude of factors, and are not exclusively physical or psychological.

A)biopsychosocial
B)health psychology
C)biomedical
D)psychophysiological

Question 65

The buildup of plaque that restricts the flow of blood through large arteries is called

A)arteriosclerosis.
B)atherosclerosis.
C)cerebrovascular impingement.
D)CAM.

Question 66

Which of the following are the leading indicators of coronary heart disease?

A)Advanced age and lifestyle
B)Stress and personality type
C)Diabetes and stress
D)High blood pressure and family history of the disease

Question 67

Research has found that the body's immune system can attack your own body parts, leading to all but which of the following conditions?

A)Arthritis
B)Diabetes
C)Multiple sclerosis
D)AIDS

Question 68

When the incidence of a condition called "Morgellons" seemed to be increasing, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)conducted research that found no evidence of such infections actually taking place. Soon after, the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota conducted similar research and obtained nearly identical findings. As it turned out, most people who thought they had Morgellons had very simple skin conditions, or no condition at all. The repetition of the CDC's research that was used to support the findings is crucial to critical thinking, in a principle called

A)ruling out rival hypotheses.
B)correlation versus causation.
C)replicability.
D)Occam's Razor.

Question 69

Which of the following stressors is likely to lead to disruption in the immune system?

A)Going on a mild diet
B)Having a party for several people this coming weekend.
C)Having some work done on your home
D)Unemployment

Question 70

Which of the following statements regarding ulcers is true?

A)Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that lives in stomach acid and causes as many as 90 per cent of stomach ulcers.
B)Stress is the primary cause of ulcers.
C)Spicy foods and an unhealthy diet are the primary causes of ulcers.
D)Ulcers are uniquely genetic and stress has nothing to do with the symptoms of ulcers.

Question 71

A stomach ulcer is an

A)inflamed lung that can cause difficulty breathing.
B)inflamed area in the gastrointestinal tract that can cause pain, nausea, and loss of appetite.
C)enlarged oesophagus due to excessive eating.
D)enlarged small intestine due to eating hot foods.

Question 72

There is plenty of research that shows a relationship between stress levels and heart-damaging symptoms, such as high blood pressure and enlargement of the heart. It is possible, however, that some third factor may be responsible for both increases in stress as well as increases in heart-related symptoms. This fact uses which critical-thinking concept?

A)Occam's Razor
B)Falsifiability
C)Replicability
D)Correlation versus causation

Question 73

Discuss stress as both a cause and effect of illness.

Question 74

The immune system can be fortified by

A)engrossing one's self in work so that the feeling of productivity is enhanced.
B)social support.
C)any number of herbal supplements.
D)avoiding foods that cause indigestion or heartburn.

Question 75

Why are illnesses like AIDS and arthritis referred to as autoimmune diseases?

A)Because these illnesses take automatic immune functions and reduce their activity
B)Because these illnesses do their damage by actually attacking the body's own organs
C)Because these illnesses cannot be diagnosed by normal medical examinations and tests
D)Because these illnesses are easily treated by using medications that bolster the body's immune system

Question 76

The prevailing explanation for the relationship between stress and illness has been that increased levels of stress result in a decrease in the immune system's ability to protect the body from illness. On the other hand, it is possible that people who are experiencing stress engage in more health-damaging behaviours, which can lead to a greater likelihood of illness. This different explanation of the relationship demonstrates the importance of

A)falsifiability.
B)ruling out rival hypotheses.
C)replicability.
D)extraordinary claims.

Question 77

People living under stressful conditions tend to get sick more often than they would otherwise. How do researchers in psychoneuroimmunology explain this phenomenon?

A)The stress response reduces immune system functioning, thus making us more vulnerable to diseases.
B)The stress response in the long run leads to a lowering of the heart rate, which makes the heart inefficient.
C)The stress response makes muscles stronger, which places a greater burden on the heart and respiratory systems.
D)The body tends to adapt to the constant call for the stress response and, thus, future responses are not as strong as before.

Question 78

The number one cause of death in Australia is ________.

A)coronary heart disease
B)cancer
C)motor vehicle accidents
D)suicide

Question 79

Many people believe that the "power of positive thinking" can effectively counteract serious and potentially terminal diseases. While it is certainly true that positive thinking is essential in helping with recovery, there is no research that suggests that positive thinking can reverse illnesses like cancer. These facts demonstrate which concept from this chapter?

A)Replicability
B)Extraordinary claims
C)Occam's Razor
D)Ruling out rival hypotheses

Question 80

John is the type of person who wants everything done perfectly the first time. When playing a game, he feels like he must win. He is easily provoked to anger, but he is also readily ambitious. Based on these traits, John must be a

A)Type D personality.
B)Type A personality.
C)Type B personality.
D)Type T personality.