Question 1

Coping is defined as ___.

Accepted Answer

Coping refers to our efforts to manage, reduce, or tolerate stress. Although coping can involve adaptive responses such as seeking support or engaging in problem-solving, it can also involve maladaptive or ineffective strategies such as avoidance or substance use. Coping is not necessarily focused solely on reducing the level of stress, nor is it necessarily tied to the use of available resources.

Question 2

Fujita has been a straight "A" student since high school.Now in university,she studies hard and has continued to make the top grades in her program.However,every time she must write a final exam,she tells her classmates that she is certain she will fail.Fujita is exhibiting ___.

Accepted Answer

Fujita is exhibiting defensive pessimism, which involves setting low expectations and then taking steps to prepare for the worst possible outcome. This can actually help individuals perform better by reducing anxiety and increasing motivation. This is different from an optimistic explanatory style or a pessimistic explanatory style, which refer to how one explains the causes of events (optimistic style sees negative events as situational and temporary while pessimistic style sees them as stable and internal). Fujita's behavior is also not an example of optimistic pessimism, which involves expecting the worst but hoping for the best.

Question 3

Which of the following individuals is most likely to experience stress?

Accepted Answer

Sarah, who has a highly reactive autonomic nervous system, is most likely to experience stress. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for the physiological response to stress, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, and individuals with a highly reactive system may experience more intense and frequent responses to stressors.

Question 4

Petar is going to audition for a part in the community theatre's annual production.Before the audition,he tells his friend,"I probably won't get a part,but maybe everyone else will do even worse than me." Petar is exhibiting ___.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Petar is going to audition for a...

Question 5

Kavita just told her boyfriend,"You're a stupid,inconsiderate jerk,and I wish I'd NEVER met you." Now,she is sitting in her room playing a video game and chatting online,but when her mother asks her if she wants to talk about it,Kavita refuses to discuss the issue.Which of the following is Kavita's style?

Accepted Answer

Kavita's behavior of bottling up her emotions and refusing to discuss the issue with her mother suggests a Type C personality, which is characterized by suppression of emotions and difficulty expressing feelings.

Question 6

Which of the following is true about autonomic reactivity to stress?

Accepted Answer

Autonomic reactivity to stress refers to the extent to which the autonomic nervous system (ANS) responds to stressors. Different people have distinct levels of reactivity from the ANS, which can affect their physiological and emotional response to stress. This means that individuals can have different levels of heart rate, cortisol release or other stress indicators, even when exposed to the same stressor. Therefore, option D is the correct answer. Options A and B are incorrect since the physiological symptoms of a response to stress and the perception of stress can vary widely among individuals. Option C is incorrect since lower physiological responses to stressors do not necessarily mean that an individual is better at managing stress.

Question 7

How is an optimistic brand of pessimism different from being a defensive pessimist?

Accepted Answer

An optimistic brand of pessimism is when you believe that things may go wrong but still hope that they won't. This approach allows for some positivity and optimism despite acknowledging potential negative outcomes. Defensive pessimism, on the other hand, is when someone anticipates the worst to avoid being disappointed later. It is a coping strategy that involves preparing for the worst-case scenario as a way to manage anxiety or fear of failure.

Question 8

Which of the following people is more likely to experience more alarm when faced with a stressor?

Accepted Answer

Shy people tend to have higher baseline levels of anxiety and are more sensitive to social evaluation, making them more likely to experience alarm in stressful situations. Bold and hardy individuals tend to have lower levels of stress and may be more resilient in the face of pressure. Type A personalities may experience a lot of stress, but their response to stress may be more aggressive than alarm.

Question 9

Jesse just had a house fire,and has lost most of his possessions.He says,"Nobody was hurt,and stuff can be replaced." Jesse has ___.

Accepted Answer

Jesse's statement indicates an optimistic explanatory style, which focuses on positive aspects of a situation and downplays negative aspects.

Question 10

Rabia is always pleasant to be around.She NEVER seems sad or angry - ever.In fact,even the time that the neighbour's dog killed her prize rooster,and then the neighbour had the nerve to invite her over for a barbecue to eat said rooster,she just smiled,thanked him for the invitation,and explained that she wasn't hungry.What type of personality does Rabia has?

Accepted Answer

Rabia exhibits the characteristics of a Type C personality, which is typically associated with individuals who suppress their emotions, tend to avoid conflict, and prioritize being cooperative and compliant with others. This is evidenced by her ability to remain calm and polite even in the face of a potentially upsetting situation, such as the loss of her rooster and the insensitive invitation from her neighbor. Type A personalities are typically more competitive, ambitious, and prone to stress and aggression, while Type B personalities are typically more laid-back and relaxed. Stress-resistant is not a recognized personality type, but rather a characteristic that can be developed through coping mechanisms and resilience training.

Question 11

Todd always welcomed challenges in daily life and was willing to commit himself to taking control of his life.He saw stressors as opportunities for growth rather than crises.Which type of personality best describes Todd?

Accepted Answer

Todd's ability to welcome challenges and see stressors as opportunities for growth aligns with the characteristics of a hardy personality. The other options (Type A, Type B, Type C) do not fit Todd's description as well.

Question 12

People who welcome challenges and take control in their daily lives are known as ___.

Accepted Answer

People who welcome challenges and take control in their daily lives are known as hardy personalities. Type A personalities are characterized by competitiveness, impatience, and a sense of urgency. Type B personalities are characterized by a laid-back, relaxed approach to life. Type C personalities are associated with a passive, accommodating approach to life and a tendency to suppress emotions. None of these personalities fit the description given in the question.

Question 13

Jason is a Type B personality.He has just failed an exam.How is he most likely to respond?

Accepted Answer

Type B personalities tend to be more relaxed, flexible, and less competitive. They are less likely to get stressed about failure and are more likely to see it as a temporary setback. Option C shows that Jason is looking at the bigger picture and is confident that he can improve in the future.

Question 14

Finn and Zhu both failed their written driver's test.Finn believes that he should just give up,that he will NEVER get it right,and that it is a very hard test.Zhu believes that she needs to work harder and practice more before her next test.Which of the two is likely to feel less stressful about failing the test?

Accepted Answer

Zhu is more likely to feel less stressful about failing the test because she has an optimistic explanatory style, which means she sees the failure as a temporary setback that can be overcome by working harder and practicing more. Finn, on the other hand, has a pessimistic explanatory style and believes that he will never get it right, causing him to feel more stressed about failing the test.

Question 15

Which of the following is most likely a Type C personality?

Accepted Answer

Type C personalities are typically characterized as introverted, detail-oriented, and prone to worrying. Anisa's reluctance to talk about her emotions and her anger suggest that she may fit this description. The other options do not provide enough information to make a determination.

Question 16

Coping is best defined as

Accepted Answer

Coping involves deliberate efforts to manage and reduce stress, such as problem-solving, seeking social support, or engaging in relaxation techniques. B is incorrect because coping should involve acknowledging and processing negative emotions, rather than suppressing them. C is inaccurate because being calm is not the primary goal of coping, as some stressors may require an active response. D is partly true but limited because sharing experiences can be a form of coping, but it is not the only or the most effective strategy for everyone.

Question 17

The personality type identified by Friedman and Rosenman as being most at risk for heart disease is known as ___.

Accepted Answer

Friedman and Rosenman identified the Type A personality, characterized by hostility, competitiveness, and time urgency, as being the most at risk for heart disease. The other options (pessimistic, hardy, and Type C) are not specifically associated with increased risk of heart disease.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a function of coping?

Accepted Answer

Conflating stressors means combining or confusing them with each other, which is not a function of coping. Coping involves managing, reducing, or tolerating stressors, but not conflating them.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about the role of social support is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Social support may buffer stress by increasing self-esteem, providing a greater sense of control, and reducing physiological arousal. However, social support does not necessarily distract people from the stressful event, as the support may involve discussing the event and developing coping strategies.

Question 20

Mr.Crimini has been to the emergency room five times in the past month with complaints of rapid heart rate and difficulty breathing.Each time the doctors have ruled out a heart attack and have suggested that Mr.Crimini is experiencing a reaction to stress.Which of the following best explains Mr.Crimini's stress response?

Accepted Answer

Mr.Crimini's symptoms of rapid heart rate and difficulty breathing suggest an elevated level of autonomic reactivity. This means that his body is reacting strongly to stress and his sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to physical symptoms such as increased heart rate and difficulty breathing.

Quiz 14: Stress,coping,and Health