Question 1

One of the most influential psychosocial influences on the immune system is:

Accepted Answer

Stress has been shown to have a significant impact on the immune system. Chronic stress can lead to reduced immune functioning, making individuals more susceptible to illness and disease. Stress can also lead to inflammation, which is associated with a range of health problems. Therefore, stress is the most influential psychosocial influence on the immune system. Culture, temperament, and genetics may also play a role, but their influence is less well-established than that of stress.

Question 2

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A person can be HIV positive without developing AIDS. While HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, AIDS is the condition that occurs when the immune system is severely weakened, resulting in opportunistic infections and cancers. It is possible for someone with HIV to manage their condition with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and never develop AIDS.

Question 3

Interventions such as _____ for children with asthma resulted in improvements in immune functioning (Nassau,Tien & Fritz,2008).

Accepted Answer

Disclosure and hypnosis were found to improve immune functioning in children with asthma according to the study by Nassau, Tien, and Fritz in 2008.

Question 4

The work of Sheldon Cohen and colleagues has provided strong evidence for the link between psychology and physiology.The key finding in his studies is that the volunteers injected with a cold virus:

Accepted Answer

Sheldon Cohen's research showed that participants who reported higher levels of stress were more likely to develop cold symptoms after being exposed to a cold virus. This indicates a link between psychological stress and physiological reactions in the immune system, causing an increased susceptibility to illness.

Question 5

A clear example of the connection between the mind and body,especially between psychology and immune functioning,is that:

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that any emotional experience, even if it is faked, can lead to changes in immune functioning. This is because the mind and body are interconnected, with psychological experiences impacting physiological processes such as immune functioning. However, it is important to note that genuine emotional experiences may have a stronger impact on immune functioning than faked emotions. Option A and C are incorrect as both genuine and faked emotional experiences can lead to immune changes. Option D is incorrect as an individual with a stressed immune system can take steps to improve their immune functioning through various interventions such as stress management and a healthy lifestyle.

Question 6

Currently,the average time between HIV infection and the appearance of the first signs of AIDS is:

Accepted Answer

The average time between HIV infection and the appearance of the first signs of AIDS is approximately 8-11 years. However, this can vary greatly depending on factors such as age, overall health, and access to medical treatment. Some individuals may develop symptoms of AIDS within a few years of infection, while others may remain asymptomatic for over a decade.

Question 7

A woman with lupus was given a shot of a strong drug.At the same time,she was exposed to the scent of rose perfume and the taste of cod liver oil.After a few pairings of these three (drug,oil,scent)her body had a physiological response to the rose scent even without the full dose of the strong drug.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

This scenario describes classical conditioning, in which an initially neutral stimulus (the scent of rose perfume) becomes associated with a biologically relevant stimulus (the strong drug) and eventually elicits a physiological response on its own. "Conditioned immunity" describes this process specifically in the context of immune functioning. "Operant conditioning" involves learning through consequences (i.e. rewards or punishments) for one's behavior. "Psychoneuroimmunological reactivity" refers to the interconnectedness of psychological, neurological, and immune processes, but does not describe a specific phenomenon like the one outlined in the scenario. "Compensatory responding" refers to the physiological adjustments that occur in response to a repeated drug administration, rather than learning through classical conditioning.

Question 8

From 1982-1983,AIDS was considered to be a gay disease.In 1983,it was reported that:

Accepted Answer

All of the above statements are true. Prior to 1983, AIDS was primarily associated with the gay community, but it was soon discovered that children and those who received blood transfusions could also contract the disease. Additionally, it was found that AIDS could be transmitted heterosexually from men to women.

Question 9

In 2008,the CDC rolled out a new way to measure the incidence of HIV.The Serological Testing Algorithm for Recent HIV Seroconversion (STARHS)is different in that it:

Accepted Answer

The Serological Testing Algorithm for Recent HIV Seroconversion (STARHS) determines which positive HIV tests represent new HIV infections. It allows for a more accurate measurement of HIV incidence by distinguishing between newly acquired infections and those that occurred in the past.

Question 10

As demonstrated in Schedlowski et al.(1993)parachuting study,and in contrast to most of what we know about the stress-immunity relationship,acute stress also:

Accepted Answer

The study found that acute stress, in this case produced by parachuting, activated the immune system. This contradicts the commonly held belief that stress depresses the immune system.

Question 11

The most common ways of passing HIV are by:

Accepted Answer

HIV is primarily spread through unprotected sexual contact and direct blood contact. It is not transmitted through casual contact such as kissing or sharing toilets seats. While HIV can potentially be transmitted through blood transfusions or sharing needles, these methods are now rare in countries with proper screening procedures and harm reduction programs.

Question 12

Some people newly infected with HIV report:

Accepted Answer

Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, sore throat, and body aches, are common in people newly infected with HIV. These symptoms can occur within 2-4 weeks of infection and usually last for a few weeks. They are often mistaken for a common cold or flu, so it's important to get tested if you have any of these symptoms and have engaged in behaviors that can put you at risk for HIV. Depression and hyperactivity are not typically reported as initial symptoms of HIV infection.

Question 13

What does the acronym AIDS stand for?

Accepted Answer

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

Question 14

Two conditions that can stress the immune system include:

Accepted Answer

Living in high crime neighborhoods can lead to chronic stress, which can weaken the immune system. Having an infection also puts stress on the immune system as it has to work harder to fight off the infection. The other options listed do not generally cause stress on the immune system.

Question 15

Researchers that were able to first identify AIDS thought:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Researchers that were able to first identify...

Question 16

One of the best treatments available for HIV is highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).One of the most commonly used components of HAART is:

Accepted Answer

AZT (azidothymidine) is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that is commonly used as a component of HAART. It works by blocking the activity of an enzyme called reverse transcriptase, which HIV needs to replicate itself. By preventing the virus from replicating, AZT helps to slow down the progression of HIV and reduce the risk of opportunistic infections.

Question 17

Why does chronic stress suppress the immune system?

Accepted Answer

Chronic stress can lead to the overactivation of the immune system, which can result in autoimmune disease. The suppression of the immune system by chronic stress helps to prevent this overactivation.

Question 18

HIV is a(n):

Accepted Answer

HIV is an RNA virus that contains an enzyme called reverse transcriptase that enables it to inject its own RNA into DNA inside the cells it infects, thereby hijacking the cell's machinery to replicate itself.

Question 19

One of the major physiological symptoms of AIDS is:

Accepted Answer

A T cell count of 200 or less is indicative of AIDS. This is because HIV attacks and destroys T cells, which are a key component of the immune system, leading to a weakened immune system and increased susceptibility to infections and other illnesses.

Question 20

Stress is accompanied by all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Stress typically causes a decrease in circulating lymphocytes, not an increase. The other options (A, B, C) are all accurate physiological changes that can occur during periods of stress.

Quiz 11: Psychoneuroimmunology and Hiv