Deck 10: Health, Stress, and Coping

Question 1

A subfield within psychology that explores how people stay physically well, why they get ill, and how they respond when sickness occurs is called ________ psychology.

A)clinical
B)health
C)immunological
D)counseling

Answer 1

health

Question 2

'Dr. Magillein has been working on research for the past several years that she feels will help create a more effective approach to treating opiate addiction in the United States. She wants to help people avoid drug addiction, but also develop better ways to treat those who are currently struggling with this problem. Her work is most typical of a(n)________ psychologist.

A)developmental
B)experimental
C)health
D)eclectic

Answer 2

health

Question 3

A group of people jump into Lake Michigan's icy waters every January. The immediate rise in their heart rate is a sign that they have entered the __________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

A)resistance
B)exhaustion
C)alarm reaction
D)psychogenic diseuphoria

Answer 3

alarm reaction

Question 4

Dr. Aikman is a psychologist who studies the factors that help people adhere to more positive lifestyles such as exercising and having a healthy diet. Dr. Aikman is most likely a __________ psychologist.

A)clinical
B)personality
C)health
D)community

Question 5

Spring has an increased level of catecholamines in her bloodstream, indicating that she is most likely in the __________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

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

Question 6

An event or situation-a stimulus-that causes people to take steps to adjust is called a

A)stress response.
B)stressor.
C)stress mediator.
D)chronic problem.

Question 7

Roberta is a health care psychologist. As part of her practice and research, Roberta is least likely to

A)study the role played by stress in physical illness.
B)seek efforts to cure the general adaptation syndrome.
C)help people understand how to live longer.
D)educate people about the warning signs of illnesses.

Question 8

Which researchers created the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, a measure that quantified the impact of various stressors into life change units?

A)Loftus and Carningham
B)Selye and Schachter
C)Lazarus and Folkman
D)Holmes and Rahe

Question 9

Trina is thinking about how many papers she has to do before the end of the term, how to improve her relationship with her boyfriend, and how to earn enough money to buy her family presents for the holidays. In other words, Trina is thinking about a variety of

A)stress responses.
B)stressors.
C)stress mediators.
D)chronic problems.

Question 10

The Life Experiences Survey (LES)differs from the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)in which way?

A)The SRRS is administered only to adults, while the LES is administered to adolescents and children.
B)The LES considers not only the stressors that occur but also people's perceptions of the stressor and their ability to cope.
C)The SRRS was to be used throughout Europe, while the LES is used in the United States.
D)The LES assesses positive stressors, or eustressors , while the SRRS only assesses negative stressors, or distressors .

Question 11

Which individual is credited with having identified the three stages of the general adaption syndrome?

A)Lazarus
B)Rahe
C)Selye
D)Holmes

Question 12

Marla got stuck in traffic on her way to work and was ten minutes late to an appointment. During that meeting, she spilled a few drops of coffee on her white blouse, and at lunchtime, she realized that she left her salad in the refrigerator at home. These stressors are all examples of

A)hassles
B)chronic stressors
C)catastrophic events
D)life changes

Question 13

According to Selye's general adaptation syndrome model, an inexperienced soldier suddenly thrust into a long, intense battle would most likely react in which of the following sequences?

A)Alarm reaction, resistance, exhaustion
B)Resistance, alarm reaction, exhaustion
C)Resistance, exhaustion, alarm reaction
D)Panic, illness, resistance

Question 14

Cheranita is experiencing the first stage of the general adaptation syndrome. An environmental stressor has triggered a process in her brain in which the __________ activates the sympathetic branch of the __________ nervous system, which stimulates the adrenal gland, which secretes adrenaline.

A)hypothalamus; autonomic
B)medulla oblongata; somatic
C)hypothalamus; somatic
D)medulla oblongata; autonomic

Question 15

Stress is defined as

A)feeling uncomfortable in certain situations.
B)the process of adjustment to disrupting or threatening circumstances.
C)damage to the body caused by psychological processes.
D)difficulties in daily living that are, typically, easily handled.

Question 16

Sudden, unexpected, and potentially life-threatening events or traumas that cause intense levels of stress are called ________.

A)stressors
B)catastrophes
C)hassles
D)life changes and strains

Question 17

What is the difference between a stressor and a stress reaction?

A)A stress reaction is a stimulus that causes a need for adjustment, while a stressor is the psychological or physiological response to such a stimulus.
B)A stressor is a psychological response to positive life events, while a stress reaction is a psychological response to negative life events.
C)A stressor is a stimulus that causes a need for adjustment, while a stress reaction is the psychological or physiological response to such a stimulus.
D)A stress reaction is a psychological response to positive life events, while a stressor is a psychological response to negative life events.

Question 18

During lunch, Barry tells Wynne that he cannot take any more stressors in his life. She gives him a funny look, so he explains that a stressor is a(n)

A)reaction of the body, such as increased heart rate or nausea.
B)behavioral response, such as drinking.
C)person in the process of adjusting to uncomfortable circumstances.
D)event or situation to which people must react.

Question 19

After Natter narrowly avoids a car accident, he notices that his heart is beating rapidly and he feels a "rush" from the adrenaline in his bloodstream. Natter is most likely in the __________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

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

Question 20

Which of the following would least likely be the paper topic of a researcher who studies health psychology?

A)"Improving employee motivation and job performance"
B)"Factors influencing men's decisions to perform testicular examinations"
C)"Why Americans continue to smoke"
D)"How to encourage your children to exercise"

Question 21

Danyelle has been under a lot of stress in the last week, as her academic advisor has told her that she will not graduate if she does not pass all of her classes this term. Her HPA system is very active, and has caused the release of a specific corticosteroid. Which of the following is that chemical that has been released into her bloodstream?

A)cortisol
B)ghrelin
C)catecholamines
D)leptin

Question 22

Which of the following statements is false ?

A)Stress can come from negative and positive events.
B)Stress cannot lead to death.
C)Stressful events often involve change.
D)Boredom can lead to stress.

Question 23

While attempting to study for her exam, Kendra's recurring thoughts of how she is broke and losing her job interfere with her ability to concentrate. This cognitive stress response is called

A)ruminative thinking.
B)a mental set.
C)functional fixedness.
D)an alarm reaction.

Question 24

Sophia is an air traffic controller. If she fails in her job, planes could crash and hundreds of people could die. While she is at work, she must be constantly alert and pay close attention. Although she is outwardly healthy, Sophia's blood pressure and blood sugar levels are high, and her body is secreting excess amounts of corticosteroids. Which stage of the general adaptation syndrome is Sophia in?

A)Resistance
B)Alarm reaction
C)Exhaustion
D)Defensive

Question 25

Which of the following is best classified as an emotional stress response?

A)Ruminative thinking and a narrowed scope of attention
B)Feelings of anxiety and depression
C)Trembling hands and a shaky voice
D)Increased heart rate and perspiration

Question 26

Because Amber went out last night to watch the Emma Feel band, she was unprepared for her psychology final exam today. As a result, during the middle of the exam, she began to repeatedly think, "I should have studied more for this test." This type of thought pattern is representative of

A)ruminative thinking.
B)catastrophizing.
C)a mental set.
D)cognitive restructuring.

Question 27

MacDonald has been taking five classes each semester because he wants to graduate in three years instead of four.The work load is intensive, and he often goes without adequate sleep. He rarely sees friends because he has so much work to do, and recently has had a series of colds and illnesses that have interfered with his ability to work. Selye would say that MacDonald is now in the ________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

A)depletion
B)exhaustion
C)alarm reaction
D)collapse

Question 28

During an especially long and stressful expedition, Sulu went in for a checkup. The doctor told him that his blood sugar and cortisol levels were elevated and that he might be at risk for illness. According to Hans Selye, Sulu is in the __________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

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

Question 29

Scott has heart damage that his doctor says is due to prolonged stress from caring for a child with a serious, incurable illness. The doctor explained that the damage was probably due to high levels of adrenaline and cortisol produced by his body over a long period of time. Hans Selye would say that Scott is in the __________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

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

Question 30

According to Selye's general adaptation syndrome (GAS), when an organism first appears to be settling in for a long-term battle with the stressor, the stage of __________ has been reached.

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

Question 31

Although they appear to be in top physical condition, professional basketball players often get sick during the eighty-two-game, six-month-long NBA season. According to the textbook, a likely reason is that

A)they are exposed to many more germs than other people.
B)their bodies' reserves of adaptive energy are worn down by the constant and long-lasting stressors of the season.
C)a physical defense mechanism kicks in to protect the athletes from burnout.
D)their sympathetic nervous systems become overworked in the resistance stage, and too few catecholamines are released into the bloodstream.

Question 32

When you consider the text's discussion of ruminative thinking, you should recall that a primary component of this cognitive style is that it is ________.

A)minimizing
B)personalizing
C)intrusive
D)dialectical

Question 33

After working a stressful job for years, Kyle has developed high blood pressure and an ulcer. In which stage of the general adaptation syndrome would Selye place Kyle?

A)Alarm reaction
B)Attack
C)Resistance
D)Exhaustion

Question 34

When Rudolph is under stress, he usually begins to feel mildly depressed and anxious. When Vermetta is under stress, she has difficulty remembering the phone numbers she uses every day and misplaces objects around the house. How do Rudolph's and Vermetta's responses to stress differ?

A)Rudolph's response is behavioral; Vermetta's is cognitive.
B)Rudolph's response is physical; Vermetta's is behavioral.
C)Rudolph's response is emotional; Vermetta's is cognitive.
D)Rudolph's response is emotional; Vermetta's is behavioral.

Question 35

How do psychobiological models of stress response differ from Selye's model? They

A)place more emphasis on fixed biological factors.
B)place more emphasis on psychological factors.
C)emphasize the role of physical stressors.
D)place more emphasis on change in the environment.

Question 36

All of the following are behavioral stress responses except

A)strained facial expressions.
B)aggression.
C)catastrophizing.
D)alcohol abuse.

Question 37

According to Selye, which of the following would be the most important determinant of one's response to stress?

A)Emotional state
B)Biological variables
C)Cognitive appraisal of stressors
D)Environmental conditions

Question 38

"It's not what happens to you that matters. It's what you think about what happens to you that matters." This saying summarizes the concept of

A)problem-solving.
B)avoidant responses.
C)emotion-focused coping.
D)cognitive appraisal.

Question 39

In Keely's typical semester at college, she usually blows off all her work until mid-semester. Then she panics and works long hours under pressure until finals are over. Then she goes home for vacation and gets sick. Keely probably gets sick because she is in the __________ phase of __________.

A)resistance; the general adaptation syndrome
B)exhaustion; the general adaptation syndrome
C)alarm reaction; resistance
D)final; the general anxiety syndrome

Question 40

Gail can't stop thinking about her breakup with her boyfriend. She wonders constantly what caused it, how it could have been prevented, and if they will get back together. Gail is

A)ruminating.
B)overaroused.
C)maximizing.
D)catastrophizing.

Question 41

Kestor was camping in the woods when a bear attacked him. Now Kestor has trouble concentrating and getting along with others. In addition, Kestor has difficulty sleeping, and he often has nightmares involving bears. Kestor is most likely suffering from

A)generalized anxiety disorder.
B)burnout.
C)posttraumatic stress disorder.
D)diathesis stress.

Question 42

Which of the following is the best example of catastrophizing?

A)Colette can't stop thinking about the way she embarrassed herself at a party last night.
B)Silas is nervous about the MCAT and decides to take a Stanley Kaplan study course to prepare.
C)Daniella's mother is ill, and Daniella feels guilty for not being home to take care of her.
D)Kiwane is taking his Psych 100 final and keeps thinking throughout the test that he is failing and will never get into law school.

Question 43

Uncle Buck likes to visit your family about twice a year-which is two times too many for you. Which strategy would not make the visit less stressful?

A)Knowing the exact dates that he is arriving and leaving
B)Being able to control when he comes to visit
C)Thinking of his visits as "fun and helpful"
D)Knowing that he might come in December, although he may come sooner

Question 44

Unlike posttraumatic stress disorder, burnout is the result of

A)physiological events.
B)interpersonal conflict.
C)inadequate informal help.
D)long-term or chronic stress.

Question 45

After killing the giant who chased him, Jack immediately starts thinking about how the giant's wife is going to come after him, how she's going to catch him and torture him, and how he'll probably spend the rest of his life in a giant prison. Jack's thoughts are an example of

A)ruminative thinking.
B)burnout.
C)premonitions.
D)catastrophizing.

Question 46

Derek is under extreme stress because he is taking an exam that will determine his grade in the course. As a result of this pressure, he is trying to answer all of the questions on the exam using exactly the same procedure-even when that procedure isn't correct. Derek's situation illustrates the negative impact of

A)problem-focused coping strategies.
B)mental sets.
C)posttraumatic stress disorder.
D)functional fixedness.

Question 47

Scooby and Shaggy are being chased by a scary ghost. In the stress of their escape, they may be more prone to functional fixedness. Such an example would be if

A)Shaggy perceives that he has no control over their escape.
B)Shaggy dwells on the potential dangers if they are caught.
C)Scooby thinks of their escape as a challenge rather than a problem.
D)Scooby doesn't think to use a chair to barricade a door with no lock.

Question 48

In times of stress, a person is likely to use mental sets when solving a problem. A mental set is

A)thinking of objects only for their intended use.
B)a well-learned but not always efficient approach to a problem.
C)a recurring intrusion of thoughts about the stressful event.
D)dwelling on potential negative outcomes.

Question 49

The most common symptom(s)of posttraumatic stress disorder is/are

A)burnout.
B)dissociative identity episodes.
C)nightmares of vivid memories.
D)diseases of adaptation.

Question 50

Joe returned from combat two months ago. However, he is still experiencing sleep disturbances, anxiety, irritability, guilt, jumpiness, inability to concentrate, and difficulty getting along with others. Joe is most likely suffering from

A)posttraumatic stress disorder.
B)diathesis stress.
C)burnout.
D)chronic stress.

Question 51

Erwin, a decorated war hero, occasionally has flashbacks concerning his hand-to-hand combat experiences in Southeast Asia. This is a symptom of

A)a generalized anxiety disorder.
B)posttraumatic stress disorder.
C)the general adaptation syndrome.
D)acute nemosis.

Question 52

Kanesh is trying to think about many difficult issues right now. Which thought should be the most stressful because it has the least number of stress mediators?

A)Thinking about his challenging exam scheduled for tomorrow
B)Thinking about the severe storm that is predicted to happen in three days
C)Thinking about his sister, who is a journalist in a distant, hostile region
D)Thinking about the new car he might need to buy within the next couple of years

Question 53

Hathora is worried about her upcoming driver's license test. "If I fail this test, my friends will all laugh at me," she worries. "I just can't face my friends if I fail this; it would be the end for me." Hathora is illustrating the cognitive stress response called

A)sublimation.
B)reaction formation.
C)catastrophizing.
D)displacement.

Question 54

Chaim worked as a professor in a department whose chair was a tyrant. This supervisor would constantly micromanage projects, tell Chaim what to do and when to do it, and was virtually impossible to please. After three years, Chaim had lost all of his passion for teaching and decided to change careers. Chaim was experiencing ________.

A)posttraumatic stress disorder
B)the resistance stage of Selye's GAS model
C)a mental set
D)burnout

Question 55

Leah is a full-time lawyer for a big law firm. She is continuously under pressure to perform her job well, both from her clients and the law partners. She has three young children at home that she rarely gets to see. Lately, Leah has become disengaged from both her work and family life. She also has become quite accident prone. Leah is likely suffering from

A)posttraumatic stress disorder.
B)burnout.
C)a brain tumor.
D)ruminative thinking.

Question 56

While searching for an artifact, Indiana Jones is captured by mercenaries and tied up with rope. He keeps looking for a dagger or sword to cut the rope, not realizing that he could use a jagged rock instead. This is an example of how stress can cause

A)functional fixedness.
B)ruminative thinking.
C)catastrophizing.
D)cognitive restructuring.

Question 57

On the first day of class, Guff told his students that they could choose the way in which quizzes would be administered. Which of the following should Guff's students choose to minimize stress?

A)Quizzes given every Wednesday
B)Quizzes scheduled by students' unanimous vote
C)Pop quizzes scheduled by Guff
D)Two quiz questions to be given during any class period at which attendance is high (as estimated by Guff)

Question 58

Professor Guavita gives surprise quizzes on a random schedule. Professor Hoggatt gives the same number of quizzes, but gives them once a week on Mondays. Assuming the quizzes are of equal difficulty, whose students would be under more stress?

A)Professor Guavita's students
B)Professor Hoggatt's students
C)The stress would be equal.
D)There is no way of predicting stress levels in this situation.

Question 59

You are most likely to experience stress when you

A)are scheduled for experiments from a card you filled out indicating when you have free time to do the experiments.
B)participate in a scheduled group activity worth 10 percent of your grade.
C)take an exam in a class that you find fun and interesting.
D)have an instructor tell you to put away your books and notes and get ready for a pop quiz that you were not expecting.

Question 60

Batman and Spiderman are having lunch together. Spiderman confides that he can't take the stress of crime fighting anymore. He's become accident prone, sad, irritable, and indifferent to the growing injustice of the city. Based on what you know from the text, Spiderman seems to be suffering from

A)dysthymic disorder.
B)posttraumatic stress disorder.
C)burnout.
D)social phobia.

Question 61

Corbin recently found out that he has cancer, and he now strictly follows a treatment, diet, and exercise program that the doctor thinks will be helpful in keeping the cancer from spreading. These behaviors best illustrate __________-focused coping.

A)problem
B)distance
C)diligence
D)emotion

Question 62

Nelson experiences a lot of chronic stress at work, and his wife has asked for a divorce. Surprisingly, Nelson seems to be exhibiting very few stress reactions. He has a large network of friends who help him deal with his stressors. The support his friends provide is a

A)general adaptation syndrome.
B)stress resistor.
C)stress mediator.
D)cognitive stress strategy.

Question 63

After receiving a partridge, two turtle doves, and three French hens from his true love, Luke is experiencing stress because he hasn't sent a single present to his true love yet! However, Luke decides to think about his situation as a challenge rather than a problem, and he realizes that he can talk to his friends about good gift ideas. In this example, which stress mediators are most clearly operating?

A)Cognitive appraisal and predictability
B)Control and predictability
C)Control and social support
D)Cognitive appraisal and social support

Question 64

Your friend has been stressed recently, and you are concerned that if it continues, he will become depressed. You know which of the following will be helpful to him in reducing stress and preventing depression during stressful periods?

A)Low self-efficacy
B)Strong social support
C)Overly concerned and protective family
D)Isolation from others

Question 65

Which of the following is not an example of problem-focused coping?

A)Confronting
B)Seeking social support
C)Planful problem solving
D)Positive reappraisal

Question 66

Which of the following is not representative of someone with a disease-resistant personality?

A)Inability to adapt to changing conditions
B)Perception of stressful events as challenging opportunities
C)Avoiding seeing stressors as catastrophic threats
D)Avoiding self-blame for stressors

Question 67

Little Jill creeps downstairs on Christmas Eve to try to see Santa. To her shock, she sees her mommy kissing Santa Claus underneath the mistletoe! In response to this stressful sight, Jill wishes that it had never happened and tries not to think about it too much. She is trying to stop herself from thinking about how upsetting it was to see Mommy and Santa in such a compromising position! In this example, Jill is using __________-focused coping methods.

A)problem
B)escape
C)emotion
D)social

Question 68

Vernita is dealing with a lot of stress in her life. While social support is generally a positive stress mediator, sometimes it can be disruptive or inadequate. All of the following may lead to problematic social support except

A)having a support network that is not dependable.
B)if Vernita is known to complain a lot and not do anything about her troubles.
C)when the presence of supportive family causes Vernita to feel more anxious.
D)when it is better for Vernita to keep pent-up thoughts to herself.

Question 69

You find yourself in a stressful environment. All of the following conditions should help you cope with the stress except

A)being able to predict when a stressful stimulus will occur.
B)believing you have some control over the stressor.
C)having a good social network or social support system.
D)using a cognitive stress response such as cognitive flooding.

Question 70

Seena is extremely nervous about an exam that she has tomorrow. To relieve stress, she decides to stop thinking about the exam, and she spends her evening watching television and thinking happy thoughts. Seena is using a(n)__________ coping method.

A)emotion-focused
B)task-oriented
C)problem-focused
D)person-oriented

Question 71

Rosario is a nurse in a large metropolitan hospital. There are some shifts that are very busy and very stressful. Which of the following would be the best example of a problem-focused coping strategy to help her deal with these stressful times?

A)Allow herself to have a cigarette now and then, even though she quit smoking six months ago.
B)Determine times of the week or year that are usually busier, so that she can prepare for them
C)Take up jogging or some other form of physical exercise when she's not at work.
D)Switch to a low-carb diet to avoid gaining unwanted weight.

Question 72

When Alyson faces a stressful problem, she concentrates on controlling negative thoughts and reassuring herself that she can handle the situation. She also plans her day, so she doesn't have time to think about the problem. Alyson is using __________-focused coping to deal with her stress.

A)emotion
B)outcome
C)solution
D)problem

Question 73

Justin has been writing songs about his use of emotion-focused coping strategies in dealing with his relationship problems. Each of the following could be an appropriate song title except

A)"Taking Action to Change My Ways."
B)"Wishing It Away."
C)"I Didn't Cry Me a River."
D)"Okay, So It's All My Fault."

Question 74

Rick's marriage is fairly stable. George, on the other hand, fights with his wife and worries that she might leave him. According to the results of the Terman Life Cycle Study, George is more likely to __________ than Rick.

A)eat a healthier diet
B)die at a younger age
C)score higher on conscientiousness
D)score higher on openness to experience

Question 75

Marcus recently lost his job after his company was bought out by a competitor. His wife Alexis knows that he is very stressed as a result, so today she has gone to great effort to create a relaxing environment in the house. Their infant son is sleeping at her parents' house, she has cooked Marcus's favorite dinner, and has rented his favorite movie so that they can watch it when they're done eating. Alexis is trying to use ________-focused coping to help her husband.

A)escape
B)problem
C)emotion
D)control

Question 76

Neil is nervous about an upcoming presentation he has to give at a conference. To cheer him on, Neil's wife and brother decide to sit in the audience during his talk. Upon seeing them in the audience, Neil becomes even more stressed with the added concern that he will mess up in front of his loved ones. This example demonstrates that

A)Neil has already reached the resistance stage of the general adaptation syndrome.
B)social support is not always positive.
C)emotion-focused coping has its limits.
D)conscientiousness does not always predict dispositional optimism.

Question 77

Renata often has conflicts with her boss at work, which causes her a great deal of stress. To cope with her stress, Renata develops a plan of action to confront her boss so that her situation will be less stressful. In this situation, Renata exhibits

A)emotion-focused coping.
B)social networking.
C)problem-focused coping.
D)ruminative coping skills.

Question 78

Han-Sung is a university student who feels very anxious and on edge when he is struggling to get everything done. To feel less anxious, he listens to relaxing classical music. Which form of coping skills does Han-Sung employ?

A)Emotion-focused
B)Problem-focused
C)Cynical optimist
D)Socially supportive

Question 79

Research on the predictability of stress has shown that

A)unpredictable stressors have more impact than predictable ones.
B)unpredictable stress causes less physiological arousal.
C)predictability provides total protection against stressors.
D)intense stressors are more predictable than mild stressors.

Question 80

When Friedman and his associates analyzed the Terman Life Cycle Study to find the personality characteristics that predict long life, they found a link between __________ and longevity.

A)openness to experience
B)extraversion
C)conscientiousness
D)agreeableness