Question 1

Barb teaches second grade in an inner-city school.Despite the fact that most of her students are already two years behind other children their age,Barb views her job as a challenge.She is constantly looking for new and different methods to interest her students and feels that she has a direct positive effect on their lives.Barb manages her stressful life without experiencing psychosomatic problems because she possesses the trait of:
A) hardiness
B) external locus of control
C) frustration avoidance
D) approach-avoidance

Accepted Answer

Hardiness is a personality trait characterized by a combination of three factors: commitment, control, and challenge. Individuals with high levels of hardiness view life as a challenge and are motivated to find ways to overcome obstacles. They also have a sense of control over their lives and believe that they can influence their surroundings. In this case, Barb's commitment to her students and her belief in her ability to make a positive impact on their lives demonstrate the trait of hardiness. This trait helps her manage stress and avoid psychosomatic problems.

Question 2

You are able to engage in positive reappraisal,and can see the potential for growth even in the most difficult of situations.You are probably:
A) an optimist
B) a female
C) a Type D person
D) have an external locus of control

Accepted Answer

Positive reappraisal refers to the ability to see the positive aspects of a situation and to focus on growth and development rather than on negative outcomes. This trait is typically associated with optimistic individuals who are resilient and able to bounce back from adversity. The other options, such as being female or having a Type D personality or an external locus of control, do not necessarily relate to having the ability to engage in positive reappraisal.

Question 3

Compared to those with an external locus of control,individuals with an internal locus of control are more likely to:
A) use threat appraisals
B) use emotion-focused coping
C) experience more positive emotions
D) experience greater levels of stress

Accepted Answer

Individuals with an internal locus of control believe that they have control over their life circumstances and are therefore more likely to experience positive emotions compared to those with an external locus of control. They are also more likely to take proactive steps to manage stress and use problem-focused coping rather than emotion-focused coping.

Question 4

Dr.Stearns is studying positive psychology.Of the following,which is probably not an area of study for him?
A) institutions
B) individual traits
C) emotions
D) unconscious motives

Accepted Answer

Positive psychology typically focuses on conscious and intentional aspects of human experience, and unconscious motives are more commonly studied in fields such as psychoanalysis or social psychology. Therefore, it is unlikely that Dr. Stearns would study unconscious motives as part of his work in positive psychology.

Question 5

"I know that if I work hard and follow through on my duties,I can control what happens to me." Another person says,"It doesn't matter; whatever I do has no effect." These two individuals differ in regard to their:
A) locus of control
B) affect
C) coping strategies
D) secondary appraisal

Accepted Answer

The individuals differ in their locus of control. The first person believes their actions can influence their outcomes, which is an internal locus of control. The second person believes that their actions have no impact on the outcome, which is an external locus of control.

Question 6

A person whose control,commitment,and challenge enable him or her to handle stressful situations would be considered to possess the stress-reduction trait of:
A) external locus of control
B) hardiness
C) frustration-aggression
D) approach-avoidance

Accepted Answer

The stress-reduction trait described in the question is known as hardiness. Hardiness refers to a person's ability to handle stressful situations through their sense of control, commitment, and challenge. A person with a high level of hardiness often sees stressful situations as opportunities for personal growth and development rather than as insurmountable obstacles. This trait is often associated with increased resilience and better overall health outcomes.

Question 7

"Come on! I don't have all day to wait around for you to answer this question." This is most characteristic of:
A) an internal locus of control
B) an external locus of control
C) Type B behavior
D) Type A behavior

Accepted Answer

This statement is indicative of impatience and a sense of urgency, both of which are common traits of Type A behavior. Type A individuals often feel a constant sense of time pressure and may become stressed or irritable when things don't move as quickly as they would like.

Question 8

LeRoy is listening to a story about a great American hero.This hero went through incredible odds and endured tremendous stress.Knowing what you do about stress,what personality trait did this hero undoubtedly possess that protected him from the harmful effects of stress?
A) autonomy
B) extroversion
C) external locus of control
D) hardiness

Accepted Answer

The personality trait that protected the hero from the harmful effects of stress is hardiness. Hardiness is characterized by a sense of control over one's actions and a belief in the ability to cope with stress, a commitment to the values and goals that give life meaning, and a perception of stress as a challenge rather than a threat.

Question 9

John is an optimist.Which of the following characteristics is most likely to be true of him?
A) He deals with stress by simply ignoring it.
B) He has a sense of being in control.
C) He shows a Type D personality profile.
D) He successfully represses negative emotions.

Accepted Answer

Optimists tend to have a sense of being in control, as they believe that good things will happen to them and that they have the power to make positive changes in their lives. They do not tend to ignore stress or repress negative emotions, and a Type D personality profile is characterized by high levels of negative emotions and social inhibition, which is not typical of optimists.

Question 10

A person who believes that chance and luck are major factors in our lives is probably:
A) less stressed than someone who doesn't think this way
B) exhibiting an external locus of control
C) exhibiting an internal locus of control
D) a hardy person

Accepted Answer

Believing in chance and luck suggests an external locus of control, meaning the person sees the events and outcomes in their life as determined by external factors rather than their own abilities and actions.

Question 11

Rhea thinks about her upcoming job interview,"I'm really excited about it.I've prepared for it and really want to do well with it!" Rhea is experiencing:
A) an external locus of control
B) eustress
C) emotional focused coping
D) panic

Accepted Answer

Rhea's statement reflects a positive attitude and excitement about the upcoming interview, indicating that she views the situation as a challenge (eustress) rather than a threat.

Question 12

Jerry is fond of saying,"I am the master of my own destiny.My future is what I choose it to be." Jerry's statement illustrates the concept of:
A) hardiness
B) conflict
C) an internal locus of control
D) an external locus of control

Accepted Answer

Jerry's statement reflects a belief in his own ability to control and shape his future, which is characteristic of an internal locus of control. Hardiness refers to the ability to thrive under stress, which is not directly addressed in Jerry's statement. Conflict is not relevant to the statement. An external locus of control would imply that Jerry believes external forces (such as luck or fate) have a stronger influence on his future than his own choices, which is contrary to the statement he makes.

Question 13

Psychosomatic symptoms,higher levels of stress,and the use of threat appraisals are symptoms associated with:
A) hardiness
B) an external locus of control
C) reaction formation
D) a Type B personality

Accepted Answer

Psychosomatic symptoms, high levels of stress, and the use of threat appraisals are symptoms associated with an external locus of control. This is because individuals with an external locus of control believe that external factors such as luck or fate control their lives, leading to feelings of helplessness and increased stress. These individuals may also use threat appraisals as a way to cope with this perceived lack of control. These symptoms are not associated with hardiness, reaction formation, or Type B personalities.

Question 14

With only a minute left in today's class,Professor Shepard is previewing tomorrow's lecture on hardiness.She says,"We'll look at the 3Cs of hardiness at our next class meeting." To what "3Cs" is Professor Shepard referring?
A) control, coping, and competence
B) commitment, congruency, and consistency
C) control, commitment, and challenge
D) consistency, control, and competency

Accepted Answer

The three Cs of hardiness are control, commitment, and challenge, as identified by research psychologist Dr. Suzanne Kobasa.

Question 15

If we use defense mechanisms as our primary means of coping with anxiety,then:
A) we will save ourselves a great deal of undue psychological harm
B) our social relationships will improve
C) we will not have to rely on machines and medication to help us cope
D) we are preventing ourselves from confronting and working on our problems

Accepted Answer

Defense mechanisms may provide temporary relief from anxiety, but they ultimately involve avoiding or denying the underlying issues or conflicts. By relying on defense mechanisms as the primary means of coping, we are not confronting and working on our problems, which can lead to long-term negative consequences such as unresolved emotional issues and difficulties in personal relationships.

Question 16

With which of the following statements would a person with an external locus of control agree?
A) People who can't get others to like them don't understand how to get along with others.
B) We can have an effect on our external world.
C) I don't vote in elections because my vote won't change things.
D) It is of the utmost importance to establish one's power in interpersonal relationships.

Accepted Answer

People with an external locus of control tend to believe that their actions or choices have little to no impact on their surroundings or outcomes, so they may feel that their vote in an election won't make a difference.

Answer: D 
 This statement is not necessarily related to locus of control, but it suggests a desire for power in interpersonal relationships, which can be seen in people with either an internal or external locus of control.

Question 17

A chronic and continuing struggle to achieve more and more in less and less time is characteristic of:
A) an internal locus of control
B) an external locus of control
C) Type B behavior
D) Type A behavior

Accepted Answer

The chronic and continuing struggle to achieve more and more in less and less time is a characteristic of Type A behavior. Type A individuals tend to be highly competitive, impatient, and time-pressed, and are often associated with a greater risk of stress-related health problems.

Question 18

Rhea thinks about her upcoming job interview,"I'm really excited about it.I've prepared for it and really want to do well with it!" Which of the following best describes Rhea?
A) She has an external locus of control.
B) She has a conditioned emotional response.
C) She is experiencing Type D behavior.
D) She has an internal locus of control.

Accepted Answer

Rhea's statement suggests that she believes she has control over the outcome of her job interview and her preparedness will lead to success. This demonstrates an internal locus of control, which is the belief that one's actions and decisions can affect the outcome of a situation. Options A, B, and C are not applicable in this context.

Question 19

Maria believes that everything good and bad that happens to her is the result of fate,luck,or other people's desires.Maria's belief illustrates the concept of:
A) hardiness
B) conflict
C) an internal locus of control
D) an external locus of control

Accepted Answer

Maria's belief that events are out of her control and determined by external factors such as fate or luck is representative of an external locus of control. This perspective suggests that an individual believes they have little power to influence the outcomes of their life, and that events are determined by factors beyond their control.

Question 20

Compared to people with an external locus of control,people with an internal locus of control tend to:
A) develop fewer psychosomatic symptoms
B) think the world is a hostile place that one must learn to escape from internally
C) believe more that fate plays a bigger role in their lives
D) be Type A people

Accepted Answer

People with an internal locus of control believe they are in control of their own lives and actions, which leads to a sense of empowerment and decreased stress. This sense of control has been linked to lower levels of psychosomatic symptoms. The other options are not necessarily associated with an internal locus of control.

Quiz 21: Health,stress and Coping

You are able to engage in positive reappraisal,and can see the potential for growth even in the most difficult of situations.You are probably:

Compared to those with an external locus of control,individuals with an internal locus of control are more likely to:

Dr.Stearns is studying positive psychology.Of the following,which is probably not an area of study for him?

"I know that if I work hard and follow through on my duties,I can control what happens to me." Another person says,"It doesn't matter; whatever I do has no effect." These two individuals differ in regard to their:

A person whose control,commitment,and challenge enable him or her to handle stressful situations would be considered to possess the stress-reduction trait of:

"Come on! I don't have all day to wait around for you to answer this question." This is most characteristic of:

LeRoy is listening to a story about a great American hero.This hero went through incredible odds and endured tremendous stress.Knowing what you do about stress,what personality trait did this hero undoubtedly possess that protected him from the harmful effects of stress?

John is an optimist.Which of the following characteristics is most likely to be true of him?

A person who believes that chance and luck are major factors in our lives is probably:

Rhea thinks about her upcoming job interview,"I'm really excited about it.I've prepared for it and really want to do well with it!" Rhea is experiencing:

Jerry is fond of saying,"I am the master of my own destiny.My future is what I choose it to be." Jerry's statement illustrates the concept of:

Psychosomatic symptoms,higher levels of stress,and the use of threat appraisals are symptoms associated with:

With only a minute left in today's class,Professor Shepard is previewing tomorrow's lecture on hardiness.She says,"We'll look at the 3Cs of hardiness at our next class meeting." To what "3Cs" is Professor Shepard referring?

If we use defense mechanisms as our primary means of coping with anxiety,then:

With which of the following statements would a person with an external locus of control agree?

A chronic and continuing struggle to achieve more and more in less and less time is characteristic of:

Rhea thinks about her upcoming job interview,"I'm really excited about it.I've prepared for it and really want to do well with it!" Which of the following best describes Rhea?

Maria believes that everything good and bad that happens to her is the result of fate,luck,or other people's desires.Maria's belief illustrates the concept of:

Compared to people with an external locus of control,people with an internal locus of control tend to: