Question 1

All of these U.S.children are disproportionately likely to grow up in a low-SES family EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that African American, American Indian, and Hispanic children are disproportionately likely to grow up in low-SES families in the United States. Asian American children, on the other hand, are often seen as a model minority with higher educational attainment and income levels than other groups.

Question 2

An increased risk for hypertension,heart disease,and diabetes is associated with:

Accepted Answer

Chronic inflammation can lead to damage to blood vessels and organs, increasing the risk for hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. High levels of psychological control and an underreactive emotional style are not directly associated with these conditions. High SES (socioeconomic status) is generally associated with better health outcomes, but not necessarily protection from the specific conditions listed.

Question 3

When Marisa is feeling stressed,she seeks support and encouragement from her friends instead of obsessing over the stressors in her life.By doing this,she feels less stress and her coping skills are significantly improved.This example demonstrates the:

Accepted Answer

This example demonstrates the buffering hypothesis, which suggests that social support can help individuals cope with stressful situations and reduce the negative effects of stress on health. Marisa is seeking support from her friends, which is helping her to cope with her stress and feel better overall. The other options are not applicable to this scenario.

Question 4

Our capacity to modulate our thinking,emotions,and behavior is called:

Accepted Answer

The capacity to modulate our thinking, emotions, and behavior is referred to as regulatory control. It allows us to adapt to changing situations and may influence our response to stress. Vagal tone refers to the activity of the vagus nerve, hardiness is the ability to cope with stress and self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to complete tasks and achieve goals.

Question 5

According to the _____ hypothesis,social support enhances the body's physical responses to challenging situations.

Accepted Answer

The direct effect hypothesis states that social support enhances the body's physical responses to challenging situations. The buffering hypothesis suggests that social support helps mitigate the negative effects of stress, while the indirect effect hypothesis proposes that social support promotes healthier behaviors and lifestyle choices. The matching hypothesis suggests that receiving social support that matches one's specific needs is most effective.

Question 6

Researchers have found that people who perceive they have strong social support are less likely to ruminate about their plight when confronting stressors than are people who feel more alienated from others.This finding supports the:

Accepted Answer

The buffering hypothesis suggests that social support can reduce the negative impact of stressors on mental health by providing a buffer against their effects. The finding that people with strong social support are less likely to ruminate about their plight when confronting stressors supports this hypothesis.

Question 7

The type of social support that is MOST helpful in dealing with uncontrollable stressors is:

Accepted Answer

Emotional support is the type of social support that is most helpful in dealing with uncontrollable stressors. Emotional support involves expressing empathy, encouragement, and reassurance to someone who is going through a difficult time. It helps individuals feel validated in their emotional experience and less alone in their struggle, which can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Informational support, instrumental support, and social companionship may also be helpful for some stressors, but they may not be as effective for dealing with uncontrollable stressors.

Question 8

Which statement regarding the impact of socioeconomic status (SES)on health and well-being is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Access to health care is an important factor in health outcomes, but it does not fully explain the relationship between SES and health. Other factors such as stress, environmental hazards, health behaviors, and social support also play a role.

Question 9

Among adults,resilience has been associated with each of these EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

European descent is not associated with resilience, but rather a person's ability to cope and bounce back from difficult situations. The other choices are all positively associated with resilience.

Question 10

The belief that one can determine one's own internal states and behavior,influence one's environment,and/or bring about desired outcomes is:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The belief that one can determine one's...

Question 11

People who are higher in socioeconomic status (SES)have each of these EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Higher SES is generally associated with better health outcomes such as lower morbidity, lower mortality, and reduced rates of disability. However, a stronger inflammatory response to environmental stressors is not typically associated with higher SES, but rather with lower SES. This is known as the "inflammation paradox" where higher SES individuals may have better health outcomes overall, but may have a more exaggerated inflammatory response to stressors due to chronic stress and other factors.

Question 12

Students with high vagal tone or regulatory control:

Accepted Answer

Students with high vagal tone or regulatory control have better self-regulation and emotional control, which increases their likelihood to use constructive coping strategies. They are also able to adjust their coping strategies based on the demands of the situation, making them more effective in managing stress.

Question 13

Is social support always helpful?

Accepted Answer

Excessive social support can lead to dependency, reduced self-esteem, or feelings of being overwhelmed, making it unhelpful.

Question 14

A strong sense of personal control has been associated with:

Accepted Answer

A strong sense of personal control has been found to be associated with the tendency to use adaptive, problem-focused coping strategies, which have been shown to be beneficial for mental and physical health. This includes strategies such as seeking social support, seeking information, and taking action to address the problem. Therefore, option A is the best choice.

Option B is incorrect because a strong sense of personal control has actually been linked with better immune functioning.

Option C is partially correct, as a strong sense of personal control has been found to be associated with the release of pain-relieving beta-endorphins. However, this alone is not the best choice because it is not as comprehensive as option A.

Option D is incorrect because a strong sense of personal control has been linked with decreased secretion of corticosteroids, which are stress hormones that can have negative impacts on health over time.

Question 15

Stress management describes a variety of psychological methods that are designed to:

Accepted Answer

Stress management techniques are designed to help individuals reduce the impact of potentially stressful experiences. While it is important to recognize stress and its impact on health, avoid stress triggers, and appreciate the role stress plays in our lives, the primary focus of stress management is to reduce stress symptoms and improve overall well-being. Therefore, option D is the best choice.

Question 16

Self-efficacy refers to:

Accepted Answer

Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their own ability to complete tasks and reach goals. It specifically pertains to their confidence in their ability to deal with potentially stressful situations. Option B refers to self-esteem, option C is an unrealistic belief system, and option D refers to emotional regulation.

Question 17

Information from others that one is loved and cared for and is a part of a network of communication is called:

Accepted Answer

Social support refers to the information and help provided by others which includes emotional support, advice, and practical support. It is an important aspect of mental and physical health and helps individuals cope with stress and difficult situations.

Question 18

Kenny believes he has the ability to make decisions to impact his surroundings,and he does so by getting angry and behaving aggressively when he doesn't get his way.Kenny demonstrates poor:

Accepted Answer

Kenny demonstrates poor regulatory control, as he struggles to manage his emotions and behavior in a constructive manner when faced with challenges.

Question 19

Which of these is NOT a documented health benefit of perceiving strong social support?

Accepted Answer

Having fewer sources of stress in one's life is not a documented health benefit of perceiving strong social support. The other options are all benefits that have been linked to having a strong social support system.

Question 20

An important external factor in how we cope with threatening events is the degree of:

Accepted Answer

Social support from friends, family, or professionals has been consistently identified as a strong predictor of positive outcomes following adverse events or stressors, including physical and mental health outcomes, psychological adjustment, and overall wellbeing. Psychological and regulatory control, as well as resilience, can also play a role in coping, but social support is the most important external factor of the options given.

Quiz 5: Coping With Stress