Question 1

What is the physical and mental reaction to situations that we perceive as threatening or challenging called?

Accepted Answer

The physical and mental reaction to situations that we perceive as threatening or challenging is called the stress response. This encompasses a wide range of physiological and psychological reactions that help the body prepare to face or flee from perceived threats.

Question 2

Which of the following is the best example of a stressor?

Accepted Answer

Winning the lottery, despite being a positive event, can be a significant stressor due to the sudden changes and decisions it necessitates, such as managing newfound wealth, dealing with requests for money, and potential lifestyle changes.

Question 3

The physical and psychological reactions to stressors are known as ________.

Accepted Answer

The stress response refers to the physical and psychological reactions individuals experience when faced with stressors. This encompasses a wide range of reactions including hormonal, emotional, and behavioral responses designed to help an individual cope with stress.

Question 4

According to your text, which of the following is one of the major sources of stress?

Accepted Answer

Life changes are considered a major source of stress because they can significantly alter an individual's daily routine, requiring adaptation and sometimes causing uncertainty or discomfort.

Question 5

The event on the Student Stress Scale that is associated with the greatest number of life change units is ________.

Accepted Answer

The death of a close family member is associated with the greatest number of life change units on the Student Stress Scale.

Question 6

A stressful occurrence that happens suddenly and generally affects many people simultaneously is called a ________.

Accepted Answer

A cataclysmic event is a sudden and significant event that affects many people at once, such as natural disasters or large-scale accidents, fitting the description provided.

Question 7

Which type of conflict involves one option with equally desirable and undesirable characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Approach-avoidance conflict involves a single option or goal that has both attractive and unattractive aspects, making the decision-making process challenging.

Question 8

A student must choose between wanting to watch her favorite movie on television and wanting to go out with her friends. This is an example of which type of conflict?

Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of an approach-approach conflict because the student is choosing between two desirable options: watching her favorite movie and going out with her friends.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes Lei-Lei who is in a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion due to being the sole caretaker for her chronically ill ninety-year-old mother in their home for five years?

Accepted Answer

Lei-Lei is experiencing burnout, which is characterized by physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion, often resulting from prolonged stress or frustration, particularly in caregiving and work contexts.

Question 10

According to your text, many researchers believe that ________ contribute(s) more to people's stress levels than ________.

Accepted Answer

Many researchers believe that daily hassles contribute more to people's stress levels than major life events because they occur more frequently and can cumulatively lead to higher stress levels.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes Maya, who is tense and anxious as a result of being told by her supervisor that she cannot proceed with developing an internship program in her department?

Accepted Answer

Frustration best describes Maya's feelings because it is a common emotional response when someone is blocked from achieving a goal, in this case, developing an internship program.

Question 12

Wanting to make his mother's favorite dish, Tom lacks an essential ingredient. After asking several neighbors and looking for it at several stores without any success, what negative emotion is he likely to experience as he feels blocked from reaching his goal of making the treat?

Accepted Answer

Frustration is the negative emotion most commonly experienced when someone feels blocked from reaching a goal, such as Tom being unable to find an essential ingredient for his mother's favorite dish.

Question 13

The body's delayed stress response is facilitated by the ________.

Accepted Answer

The body's delayed stress response is facilitated by the HPA-axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis), which involves a series of interactions between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands, leading to the release of cortisol, a key stress hormone.

Question 14

Which of the following is a key element of the HPA axis, and plays a critical role in the long-term effects of stress?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol is a key element of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and plays a critical role in the body's response to stress, influencing various bodily functions over the long term.

Question 15

When stressors are perceived, which part of the endocrine system is responsible for activating the adrenal cortex, which in turn releases glucocorticoids?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When stressors are perceived, which part of...

Question 16

The fact that people experiencing elevated stress are more susceptible to conditions such as periodontal disease, Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and bursitis suggests that stress involves a reduced ability to regulate the normal ________.

Accepted Answer

Stress affects the body's ability to regulate inflammation, leading to an increased risk of conditions that have an inflammatory component, such as periodontal disease, Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and bursitis.

Question 17

Suddenly forgetting important information during a big exam may be explained as the effect of ________.

Accepted Answer

Acute stress can lead to temporary cognitive impairments, such as difficulty concentrating or recalling information, which might explain sudden forgetfulness during a high-pressure situation like an exam.

Question 18

MRI studies of children who grew up in poverty found that, in comparison to children from middle- and higher-income families, children from impoverished families had ________.

Accepted Answer

MRI studies have shown that children who grew up in poverty tend to have decreased gray matter compared to their counterparts from middle- and higher-income families. This is associated with various factors related to socioeconomic status that can affect brain development, such as exposure to stress, limited access to educational resources, and nutritional deficiencies.

Question 19

Flip has been assigned a new account at work, and is told that a good job could earn him a promotion. He feels challenged and energized by the new account, and is going to work hard to earn the client as a new customer. Flip is responding to the effects of ________.

Accepted Answer

Eustress is a positive form of stress that can make you feel energized or excited about what you are doing. Flip's reaction to the new account, feeling challenged and energized, is a classic example of eustress.

Question 20

When she finds out that her mother has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Jacinta feels very upset and unsettled. She knows she has to do some research and learn about the illness, but she is fearful that the illness could be terminal. What kind of stress is Jacinta currently experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Jacinta is experiencing distress, which is a negative type of stress that occurs in response to something perceived as bad or threatening, such as a loved one's serious illness.

Quiz 3: Stress, Coping, and Health Psychology