Question 1

Using the word psychosomatic to describe a disorder with an obvious physical component is considered misleading because

Accepted Answer

The term "psychosomatic" suggests that the disorder is primarily psychological, which can imply that psychological disorders lack a biological basis, whereas they often have both psychological and biological components.

Question 2

What percentage of deaths that are attributed to the top ten causes of death in the US can be traced to lifestyle choices?

Accepted Answer

Lifestyle choices such as tobacco use, poor diet, and lack of physical activity contribute to about 50% of deaths from the top ten causes of death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This highlights the importance of making healthy choices to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and premature death.

Question 3

'AIDS, a disease of the immune system, is directly affected by stress.Stress may then promote the deadly progression of the disease.' These two statements are an example of ________ factors influencing ________ processes.

Accepted Answer

The first statement mentions a biological process (disease of the immune system), while the second statement suggests that psychological factors (stress) can affect it. Therefore, the answer is A) psychological; biological.

Question 4

Knowledge derived from the behavioural sciences applied to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of medical problems is called

Accepted Answer

Behavioural medicine is an interdisciplinary field that applies knowledge from the behavioural sciences to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medical problems.

Question 5

What is the name of the new field of study that reflects the shift in focus from infectious disease to psychological/behavioural factors as causes of illness and death?

Accepted Answer

Behavioural medicine is the field of study that focuses on the role of psychological and behavioural factors in the development and management of illness and health, reflecting a shift from traditional infectious disease models.

Question 6

The physiological response of an individual to a stressor is called __________________.

Accepted Answer

The physiological response of an individual to a stressor is called stress.

Question 7

In 1936 Canadian researcher Hans Selye discovered that giving injections to laboratory rats caused them to develop ulcers.His finding led to a new area of study called

Accepted Answer

Hans Selye's discovery led to the development of the field of stress physiology, which focuses on the physiological effects of stress on the body. Stress psychology is a related field, but is more focused on the psychological aspects of stress. Animal psychology is not directly related to Selye's work, and psychosomatic pathology is a broader field that encompasses the relationship between the mind and body in many contexts, not just in response to stress.

Question 8

Research has shown that increased levels of cortisol in response to stress may cause damage to parts of the

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that increased levels of cortisol in response to stress may cause damage to parts of the brain, particularly the hippocampus, which plays a critical role in memory and learning. It can also lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.

Question 9

Which of the following factors is most closely related to how well you think you can cope with a threat or challenge?

Accepted Answer

Control is most closely related to coping with a threat or challenge, as it involves the perception of one's ability to influence or manage the situation.

Question 10

In response to sustained stress, the body goes through several stages that together constitute the general adaptation syndrome (GAS), a concept proposed by researcher Hans Selye.The GAS consists of all the following stages EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The stages of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) are alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. There is no stage called remediation.

Question 11

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the leading cause of death in the USA was

Accepted Answer

Infectious diseases were the leading cause of death in the USA at the beginning of the twentieth century, due to lack of antibiotics and vaccines.

Question 12

According to the text, some of the major contributing factors to illness and death in the United States are currently

Accepted Answer

Behavioral and psychological factors, such as lifestyle choices and mental health, are significant contributors to illness and death in the United States.

Question 13

Health psychology, a subfield of behavioural medicine, focuses on all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The answer of Health psychology, a subfield of behavioural medicine,...

Question 14

In which of the following ways do psychological and social factors influence health?

Accepted Answer

Psychological and social factors can influence health by affecting biological processes and through behaviors that increase disease risk.

Question 15

According to the principles of health psychology, which of the following is the best protection against acquiring AIDS?

Accepted Answer

Changing risky behaviors that can lead to disease acquisition is the most effective way to prevent acquiring AIDS, as it directly addresses the behaviors that increase the risk of HIV transmission.

Question 16

Research has shown that excessive secretion of the stress hormone cortisol can result in cell death in the hippocampal region of the brain in cases of

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that excessive secretion of the stress hormone cortisol can result in cell death in the hippocampal region of the brain in cases of posttraumatic stress disorder. Substance abuse and mania may also lead to increased cortisol levels, but the question specifies that cortisol causes cell death in the hippocampal region, which is associated with memory and learning. AIDS is not directly related to cortisol levels in the brain.

Question 17

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

All the statements are true: A) Lifestyle behaviors contribute significantly to leading causes of death. B) Smoking is indeed the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. C) Smoking is estimated to cause a significant percentage of deaths.

Question 18

Continuous secretion of the stress hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands can lead to all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Continuous secretion of cortisol leads to damage to the hippocampus, impaired functioning of the immune system, and muscle atrophy. However, it does not lead to low blood pressure in the cardiovascular system. In fact, cortisol can actually raise blood pressure as it contributes to the fight-or-flight response.

Question 19

Which of the following statements accurately describes a process in the activation of the HPA (hormonal) axis?

Accepted Answer

The HPA axis involves the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. The adrenal glands, as part of this axis, secrete cortisol, a key stress hormone, in response to stress signals.

Question 20

Which of the following best represents the emotional continuum believed to be related to coping with threat and challenge?

Accepted Answer

The emotional continuum related to coping with threat and challenge typically progresses from excitement (positive arousal) to stress (manageable pressure), then to anxiety (heightened worry), and finally to depression (prolonged negative state).

Quiz 9: Physical Disorders and Health Psychology Physical Disorders and Health Psychology