Question 1

In the context of behavior change theories and stress, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and confidence are constructs of _____.

Accepted Answer

These constructs are part of the Health Belief Model, which is a psychological model that attempts to explain and predict health behaviors by focusing on the attitudes and beliefs of individuals.

Question 2

Jake decides that he will not watch his favorite television series, Seinfeld, for a month because he did not meet his goal of not smoking cigarettes for a week. Which of the following methods for decreasing stressful behaviors does this scenario exemplify?

Accepted Answer

Self-contracting involves making a personal agreement to change a behavior, such as Jake deciding not to watch his favorite TV show as a consequence for not meeting his goal. This method relies on setting personal rules and consequences to help modify behavior.

Question 3

In the context of the Health Belief model, one's opinion of the likelihood of getting a condition, illness, or disease if a recommended health behavior is not adopted is known as:

Accepted Answer

Perceived susceptibility refers to an individual's assessment of their risk of getting a condition or disease if they do not follow recommended health behaviors.

Question 4

Jane begins a new exercise program, which involves exercising for 20 minutes three days a week. She gradually increases the number of days she exercises each week and the duration of each session. In this scenario, which of the following methods for decreasing stressful behaviors is Jane adopting?

Accepted Answer

Shaping involves gradually modifying behaviors towards a desired goal. Jane is using shaping by slowly increasing both the frequency and duration of her exercise sessions, which can help reduce stress.

Question 5

In the context of Stages of Change theory, someone who is thinking about changing a behavior but has not taken any action to do so is in the _____.

Accepted Answer

In the Stages of Change theory, the contemplation stage is when an individual is thinking about changing a behavior but has not yet taken any steps to make a change. This stage involves awareness of the need for change and consideration of making a change in the near future.

Question 6

In the context of methods for decreasing stressful behaviors, the term cold turkey refers to the process of:

Accepted Answer

The term "cold turkey" refers to the abrupt cessation of a habit or addiction, without gradually reducing the habit or using substitute measures.

Question 7

The Health Belief model takes into account all of the following factors EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The Health Belief Model includes perceptions of susceptibility to and severity of illness, perceived benefits and barriers to taking action, cues to action, and self-efficacy. It does not explicitly include desires and needs as components.

Question 8

According to Goal-Setting theory, core properties of effective goal setting include:

Accepted Answer

Goal-Setting theory emphasizes that goals should be specific and challenging, and that feedback is crucial in the goal-setting process to track progress and adjust efforts. Therefore, all the options listed are core properties of effective goal setting.

Question 9

In the context of Stages of Change theory, someone who is unaware of a problem or the need to change is in the _____.

Accepted Answer

The precontemplation stage is characterized by an individual's lack of awareness about the need for change, indicating they have not yet started to think about changing their behavior.

Question 10

Which of the following aspects of health and lifestyle behavior change is best exemplified by the statement "I can take charge of my own health"?

Accepted Answer

The statement "I can take charge of my own health" best exemplifies the concept of locus of control, particularly internal locus of control, where an individual believes they have the power to effect changes in their own health outcomes.

Question 11

Variables associated with Goal-Setting theory include:

Accepted Answer

Goal-Setting theory involves self-efficacy, perceived importance, proximal and distal goals, and goal difficulty, making all options correct.

Question 12

Which of the following statements best describes lifestyle behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Lifestyle behaviors encompass the broad range of activities in which individuals engage, reflecting their choices, habits, and routines in daily life, not limited to health-related actions.

Question 13

In the context of methods for decreasing stressful behaviors, something as simple as a smile from another individual is a form of:

Accepted Answer

A smile from another individual acts as a form of social reinforcement because it provides positive feedback, which can decrease stressful behaviors by making the individual feel supported and valued.

Question 14

In the context of methods for decreasing stressful behaviors, rewarding yourself with concert tickets for following your exercise routine for two weeks is known as:

Accepted Answer

This is an example of material reinforcement, where a tangible reward (in this case, concert tickets) is given to oneself for meeting a specific goal or behavior (following an exercise routine for two weeks). Material reinforcement involves using physical rewards to encourage behavior change.

Question 15

In the context of the Health Belief model, which of the following statements best describes cues to action?

Accepted Answer

Cues to action in the Health Belief Model are external or internal stimuli that trigger the decision-making process to accept a recommended health action. These cues can be anything from media campaigns, advice from others, illness of a family member, or literature on health, which motivate or prompt individuals to engage in health-promoting behaviors.

Question 16

Syed, who is on a strict diet program, relies on his friend for helpful tips to continue with the diet program. Which of the following methods for decreasing stressful behaviors is best exemplified in this case?

Accepted Answer

Syed is relying on his friend for helpful tips to continue with his diet program, which is a form of social support. Social support involves seeking help through one's social circles, in this case, a friend, to manage and decrease stressful behaviors associated with sticking to a strict diet.

Question 17

In the context of methods for decreasing stressful behaviors, _____ is best defined as the process of observing and recording behavior.

Accepted Answer

Self-monitoring is the process where individuals observe and record their own behaviors, which can help in identifying patterns of stress-related behaviors and in developing strategies to reduce or manage them.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a barrier to action?

Accepted Answer

All the options listed are examples of barriers to action because they each represent an external or environmental challenge that could prevent someone from pursuing a new habit or goal, such as jogging, volunteering, or dieting.

Question 19

In the context of the Health Belief model, one's opinion of how effective a recommended health behavior is in reducing the risk or seriousness of a condition, disease, or illness is called:

Accepted Answer

Perceived benefits refer to an individual's assessment of the value or efficacy of engaging in a health-promoting behavior to decrease the risk of disease. This component of the Health Belief Model emphasizes the positive outcomes one believes will result from a health action.

Question 20

_____, a method for decreasing stressful behaviors, offers you a way to maximize your success in a behavior change program by allowing you to fit the change into your particular circumstances.

Accepted Answer

Tailoring refers to customizing or adjusting something to fit specific needs or requirements. In the context of behavior change programs, tailoring the approach to fit an individual's unique circumstances can help reduce stress and increase the likelihood of success.

Quiz 14: Strategies for Decreasing Stressful Behaviors