Deck 11: Stress, Health, and Coping

Question 1

Debbie failed her first Chemistry exam. Because she was very stressed and tired, her mind jumped to the beliefs that she was a "terrible student" and "a failure"; she became certain she would fail the class and perhaps fail at school altogether. Debbie catastrophized failing her exam.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The most complex form of conflict is the approach-avoidance conflict, in which each of several alternative courses of action has pluses and minuses.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

When problems assault us, irrational beliefs help diminish their effect.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The body's response to different stressors shows certain similarities whether the stressor is a bacterial invasion, perceived danger, or a major life change is known as the general adaptation syndrome (GAS).

Question 5

In the approach-avoidance conflict, each of two goals is desirable, and both are within reach.

Question 6

Psychological states such as anxiety and depression can impair the functioning of the immune system.

Question 7

According to the general adaptation syndrome, in the resistance stage, levels of endocrine and sympathetic activity are higher than in the alarm reaction stage.

Question 8

If you have an internal locus of control, it means you feel you have control over the direction of your life.

Question 9

The immune system combats disease by producing white blood cells that engage in search-and-destroy missions in which they "recognize" and eradicate foreign agents and unhealthy cells such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and cancerous body cells.

Question 10

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the United States.

Question 11

Stress and pathogens interact to influence the immune system.

Question 12

People with lower Self-efficacy expectations have biological as well as psychological reasons for remaining calmer and are less prone to be disturbed by adverse events.

Question 13

Unhealthy stress is referred to as eustress.

Question 14

Women under stress are more likely to care for their children and seek social contact and support from others. Taylor termed this the "tend-and-befriend" response.

Question 15

Increasing hypertension and LDL (harmful) serum cholesterol, through medicine if necessary, reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.

Question 16

Irrational beliefs can lessen an individual's emotional reaction to loss and enhance coping ability.

Question 17

Type B people are highly driven, competitive, impatient, hostile, and aggressive-so much so that they are prone to getting into auto accidents.

Question 18

Some stress is healthful and necessary to keep us alert and occupied.

Question 19

People with higher self-efficacy expectations have biological as well as psychological reasons for remaining calmer than people with lower self-efficacy.

Question 20

Another term for white blood cells is antigens.

Question 21

__________ such as pathogens, injuries, age, gender, and a family history of disease may strike us as the most obvious causes of illness.

A)Psychological factors
B)Sociocultural factors
C)Biological factors
D)Environmental factors

Question 22

Kevin is in the exhaustion stage of Selye's general adaptation syndrome. Which of the following is most likely to occur?

A)His heart and respiration rates slow down and his muscles become fatigued.
B)His endocrine and sympathetic activity is higher than in the alarm stage.
C)His hypothalamus secretes corticotrophin-releasing hormones, which in turn causes his pituitary gland to secrete cortisol.
D)His body is activated and he experiences a fight-or-flight reaction.

Question 23

_________ stress is considered healthful.

A)Distress
B)Eustress
C)Hyper-stress
D)Pathogen

Question 24

In the context of stressors, Albert Ellis referred to situations such as losing a job as an activating event.

Question 25

According to Selye's theory, if the alarm reaction mobilizes the body and the related stressor is not removed, we enter the __________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS). This stage precedes the last stage of the GAS.

A)formal operational
B)exhaustion
C)resistance
D)preoperational

Question 26

David was experiencing a lot of stress because he was experiencing some pain in his right foot, the weather was poor, and he owed money to a friend. These types of stress are considered ___________.

A)daily hassles
B)life changes
C)eustress
D)distress

Question 27

Which of the following hassles is an example of environmental hassles?

A)noise
B)job dissatisfaction
C)terrorism
D)shopping

Question 28

According to the general adaptation syndrome, during the resistance stage, a person typically feels like a heavy burden has been removed from his or her mind.

Question 29

The American Psychological Association (2017) has found that Americans are most likely to do one of the following to cope with stress?

A)Surfing the internet and napping.
B)Drinking alcohol and watching TV.
C)Praying and eating.
D)Music and exercise.

Question 30

Humor helps people cope with stress by __________.

A)postponing making difficult decisions
B)stimulating the output of endorphins
C)enhancing the functioning of the immune system
D)positive cognitive shifts that result in positive emotions.

Question 31

Ever since Michelle failed her biology test, she thinks that she will never be able to find a job when she eventually graduates. She feels that she will end up homeless. This situation best demonstrates __________.

A)psychological hardiness
B)self-efficacy expectations
C)the coronary-prone behavior pattern
D)irrational beliefs

Question 32

Unlike Type A people, Type B people ___________.

A)are more reluctant to delegate authority in the workplace and thus increase their own workload
B)feel rushed and pressured and keep one eye glued to the clock
C)are highly driven, competitive, impatient, hostile, and aggressive
D)are less ambitious and less impatient

Question 33

Which of the following is one of Selye's three stages in the general adaptation syndrome?

A)The latency stage.
B)The stagnation stage.
C)The exhaustion stage.
D)The resilience stage.

Question 34

Peggy Blake and her colleagues constructed a scale of "life-change units" to measure the impact of life changes among college students. Surveys with students revealed that:

A)they considered unwanted pregnancy to be less stressful than major financial problems.
B)they considered academic failures to be more stressful than the beginning of college.
C)100 percent of them considered graduating from college a stress-free event.
D)some of them considered academic success to be stressful.

Question 35

Which of the following is not a demand that stress makes on an organism?

A)adaptation
B)coping
C)adjustment
D)fulfilment

Question 36

Which of the following is true of corticosteroids?

A)They combat allergic reactions.
B)They suppress inflammation.
C)They are beneficial for the cardiovascular system.
D)They cause the adrenal cortex to secrete adrenocorticotrophic hormone.

Question 37

Suppose a person is fired and he harbors beliefs such as: "This job was the most important thing in my life," "What a no-good failure I am," "My family will starve," "I'll never find a job as good," "There's nothing I can do about it." According to Albert Ellis, such irrational beliefs contribute to anxiety and depression by:

A)creating an approach-approach conflict.
B)catastrophizing the extent of loss.
C)lowering an individual's emotional reaction to loss.
D)reducing hypertension.

Question 38

Sam wants to be a clinical psychologist. He has been accepted at two different graduate schools. Both schools are equally prestigious and will provide him with an outstanding education. However, he is finding it difficult to choose between the two. According to Neal E. Miller, this type of conflict is known as a(n):

A)avoidance-avoidance conflict.
B)approach-approach conflict.
C)approach-avoidance conflict.
D)multiple approach-avoidance conflict.

Question 39

Which of the following is a risk factor for coronary heart disease?

A)Overeating.
B)Low blood pressure.
C)Sunbathing.
D)Type B behavior.

Question 40

After returning from work, Greg contemplates whether he should stay at home or exercise at the gym. He wants to stay at home because he likes to relax, but feels guilty about not getting enough exercise. He knows that if he goes to the gym, he will be glad that he is exercising but unhappy because he does not enjoy the activity. According to Neal E. Miller, this is an example of a(n) __________.

A)avoidance-avoidance conflict
B)approach-approach conflict
C)interpersonal conflict
D)multiple approach-avoidance conflict

Question 41

The __________ is the third stage in a group of bodily changes that occur in the general adaptation syndrome (GAS). In this stage, the muscles become fatigued:

A)alarm reaction stage
B)formal operational stage
C)concrete operational stage
D)exhaustion stage

Question 42

In the context of the general adaptation syndrome, the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline are secreted by the__________.

A)adrenal cortex
B)hypothalamus
C)pancreas
D)adrenal medulla

Question 43

Which of the following statements is true of approach-approach conflicts?

A)They are the most stressful type of conflicts.
B)Both goals involved in these conflicts are attainable.
C)Both goals in these conflicts are negative.
D)They involve several alternative courses to resolve conflicts, each with both positive and negative aspects.

Question 44

Influenza is caused by a virus. This virus is an example of a broad category of disease-causing organisms called __________.

A)pathogens
B)antibodies
C)antigens
D)leukocytes

Question 45

Which of the following is not a characteristic of psychological hardiness?

A)commitment
B)aggression
C)challenge
D)control

Question 46

__________ are best described as people who perceive the ability to attain reinforcements in stressful situations as being largely outside themselves.

A)Externals
B)Internals
C)Type A people
D)Type B people

Question 47

__________ engage in search-and-destroy missions in which they "recognize" and eradicate foreign agents and unhealthy cells.

A)Erythrocytes
B)Blood platelets
C)Red blood cells
D)White blood cells

Question 48

Who among the following exhibits a characteristic of psychological hardiness?

A)Rose, who feels alienated from her co-workers.
B)Roanne, who sees change as an opportunity to grow.
C)Robert, who feels helpless at work.
D)Rufus, who believes that stability is normal.

Question 49

According to the different kinds of support for coping with stress, __________ involves listening to people's problems and expressing feelings of sympathy, caring, understanding, and reassurance.

A)appraisal
B)instrumental aid
C)emotional concern
D)socializing

Question 50

Although academically gifted, Chloe never had the desire to be the best in her classes. She would most likely be considered to exhibit __________.

A)a Type B behavior pattern
B)a Type A behavior pattern
C)an external locus of control
D)an internal locus of control

Question 51

According to the general adaptation syndrome, the __________ is first triggered by perception of a stressor.

A)exhaustion stage
B)alarm reaction
C)resistance stage
D)flight reaction

Question 52

Emily is on a diet. For lunch, she has the choice of a salad with fat-free dressing or a fruit plate. However, she does not like either of them. This situation is an example of a(n) __________.

A)avoidance-avoidance conflict
B)approach-approach conflict
C)approach-avoidance conflict
D)multiple approach-avoidance conflict

Question 53

Which of the following is true of the immune system?

A)It is made stronger by prolonged stress.
B)It remembers how to battle antigens, often for years.
C)It cannot recognize pathogens in case of a reoccurring infection.
D)It is typically weakened by short-term stress.

Question 54

The __________ activates the adrenal medulla, causing it to release a mixture of adrenaline and noradrenaline during the alarm reaction stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

A)parasympathetic nervous system
B)sympathetic nervous system
C)somatic nervous system
D)central nervous system

Question 55

Which of the following are some of the differences between life changes and daily hassles?

A)Many life changes are negative and occur less frequently.
B)Many life changes are positive and occur frequently.
C)Many life changes are positive and occur less frequently.
D)Many life changes are negative and occur frequently.

Question 56

Claire is always on the go. She was valedictorian of her class and has always been competitive. She would most likely be considered to exhibit _______.

A)a Type B behavior pattern
B)a Type A behavior pattern
C)an external locus of control
D)an internal locus of control

Question 57

Which of the following is true of coronary heart disease (CHD)?

A)People with a family history of CHD are less likely to develop the disease themselves.
B)People who are highly prone to anger are less likely than other people to have CHD.
C)Overtime work, assembly line labor, and exposure to conflicting demands can all contribute to CHD.
D)CHD is typically associated with hypotension.

Question 58

In the context of the general adaptation syndrome, which of the following is true of the fight-or-flight reaction?

A)It stems from a period in human prehistory when many stressors were life threatening.
B)It involves the slowdown of the heart rate.
C)It stems from a sudden lack of sugar in the blood.
D)It is accompanied by a deceleration of the respiration rate.

Question 59

While conducting experiments to study the effect of humor on stressed students, it was found that exposing students to humorous videotapes raised the level of __________ in their saliva.

A)corticosteroids
B)adrenocorticotrophic hormone
C)immunoglobulin A
D)cortisol

Question 60

Many couples who repeatedly break up and reunite recall each other fondly when apart and swear that they could make the relationship work if they got together again. But after they do spend time together, they again wonder, "How could I ever have believed that this so-and-so would change?" This best exemplifies the _________.

A)avoidance-avoidance conflict
B)approach-approach conflict
C)approach-avoidance conflict
D)interpersonal conflict

Question 61

Many health problems are affected by __________ such as attitudes, emotions, and behavior.

A)psychological factors
B)sociocultural factors
C)biological factors
D)environmental factors

Question 62

Connor was anxious because his taxi was stuck in traffic. The impact of the sympathetic activity, which was triggered due to anxiety, eventually stabilized as his body attempted to restore lost energy and repair damage. Connor is most likely in the _____ of the general adaptation syndrome.

A)alarm reaction stage
B)resistance stage
C)exhaustion stage
D)resilience stage

Question 63

If you have a(n) _______ locus of control you tend to believe that you can influence when you receive reinforcers.

A)internal
B)external
C)high
D)low

Question 64

__________ can be positive or negative, occur at irregular intervals, and create stress.

A)Irrational beliefs
B)Life changes
C)Daily hassles
D)Avoidance-avoidance conflicts

Question 65

Which of the following nationalities has the highest death rate from cancer?

A)Thailand
B)Philippines
C)Japan
D)Japanese Americans

Question 66

Carole is a healthy teenager. She is able to resist illness despite being severely stressed at times. She believes that change is normal and can face adverse situations well. Psychologists would say that Carole __________.

A)exhibits low self-efficacy expectations
B)is psychologically hardy
C)is indulging in irrational beliefs
D)is catastrophizing

Question 67

__________ is an environmental hassle.

A)Job security
B)Illness
C)Isolation
D)Crime

Question 68

In the context of the general adaptation syndrome, which of the following statements is true?

A)Long-term stress typically helps prevent infection from wounds.
B)Short-term stress can enhance the functioning of the immune system.
C)Short-term stress inhibits the functioning of the endocrine system.
D)Stress suppresses the hypothalamus and adrenal cortex.

Question 69

__________ is referred to as the coronary-prone behavior pattern.

A)Type A behavior
B)Type B behavior
C)Passive behavior
D)Insecure behavior

Question 70

_________ is the type of emotional support that provides feedback from others about how one is doing.

A)Emotional concern
B)Instrumental aid
C)Appraisal
D)Socializing

Question 71

Scott was invited by his boyfriend to either go see a movie he was not interested in or a party wher he did not like the host. This is an example of ________ conflict.

A)avoidance-avoidance
B)approach-avoidance
C)approach-approach
D)multiple approach-avoidance

Question 72

In the context of the general adaptation syndrome, the mixture of adrenaline and noradrenaline ________.

A)slows down the respiration rate
B)forces the body to enter the exhaustion stage
C)arouses the body by accelerating the heart rate
D)suppresses the release of glucose from the liver

Question 73

In addition to his normal duties, a professor actively participates in the extra-curricular activities of the college where he teaches. According to Suzanne Kobasa, which of the following characteristics of psychological hardiness does the professor exhibit?

A)Commitment.
B)Challenge.
C)Control.
D)Humor.

Question 74

__________ is the feeling of being pulled in two or more directions by opposing motives.

A)Homeostasis
B)Self-actualization
C)Self-efficacy
D)Conflict

Question 75

Suzanne Kobasa and her colleagues studied business executives who seemed able to resist illness despite stress. In one phase of the research, executives completed a battery of psychological tests, and the researchers found that the psychologically hardy executives tended to __________.

A)feel alienated from what they were doing
B)have an external locus of control
C)appraise change as an interesting incentive to personal growth
D)be low in perceived control over their lives

Question 76

The immune system combats diseases ________.

A)by producing red blood cells, which engulf and kill pathogens
B)by generating antibodies, which attach themselves to antigens, deactivating them and marking them for destruction
C)by decreasing the flow of blood, cells, and natural chemicals to the damaged area, causing the redness, swelling, and warmth that characterize inflammation
D)by inhibiting endocrine and sympathetic activity

Question 77

The __________ is the first stage in a group of bodily changes that occur in the general adaptation syndrome.

A)alarm reaction stage
B)exhaustion stage
C)latency stage
D)resistance stage

Question 78

Eric has high blood pressure, and his doctors have found no specific cause. Eric most likely has ______.

A)generalized anxiety
B)hypotension
C)essential hypertension
D)bipolar disorder

Question 79

Stress predicts physical and psychological health problems. Which of the following has it been found to predict?

A)Schizophrenia, cancer, anxiety, and depression.
B)Cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression.
C)Heart disease, cancer, anxiety, and personality disorders.
D)Heart disease, cancer, anxiety, and depression.

Question 80

When an individual experiences fatigue because of ongoing stress and becomes ill, he or she has most likely reached the __________ of the general adaptation syndrome.

A)resistance stage
B)alarm stage
C)exhaustion stage
D)reaction stage