You hate having your teeth drilled at the dentist's office. According to the opponent-process theory, your heart rate will likely _____ during the drilling. Directly following the drilling, your heart rate will likely _____.
A) rise above normal; return to normal
B) rise above normal; stay above normal
C) rise above normal; drop below normal
D) drop below normal; return to normal

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The opponent-process theory suggests that an emotional event (like the stress of having your teeth drilled) will trigger an opposite counter-reaction after the event ends. Thus, your heart rate will increase during the drilling and then decrease below normal levels afterward as a counter-reaction.

You Hate Having Your Teeth Drilled at the Dentist's Office