William tends to react to stress by increased heart rate. Harold responds to stress with gastrointestinal distress. After a period of stress, William developed hypertension, and following the same stressful period, Harold developed an ulcer. What theory would explain this difference well?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The specific-reaction theory proposes that individuals react to stress in different ways, based on their biological makeup and personal experiences. William and Harold exhibit different physical reactions to stress (increased heart rate vs. gastrointestinal distress), and their long-term health outcomes also differ (hypertension vs. ulcer). This suggests that their bodies have unique ways of processing and responding to stress, which aligns with the specific-reaction theory.

William Tends to React to Stress by Increased Heart Rate