Deck 3: Stress, Coping, and Health Psychology

Question 1

What is the physical and mental reaction to situations that we perceive as threatening or challenging called?

A) primary assessment
B) eustress
C) stress response
D) secondary assessment

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which of the following is the best example of a stressor?

A) sleeping
B) petting your dog
C) reading a book
D) winning the lottery

Answer 2

D

Question 3

The physical and psychological reactions to stressors are known as ________.

A) distress
B) the stress response
C) the social readjustment response
D) frustration

Answer 3

B

Question 4

According to your text, which of the following is one of the major sources of stress?

A) life changes
B) daily routines
C) hypnosis
D) meditation

Question 5

The event on the Student Stress Scale that is associated with the greatest number of life change units is ________.

A) divorce
B) death of a spouse
C) jail term
D) death of a close family member

Question 6

A stressful occurrence that happens suddenly and generally affects many people simultaneously is called a ________.

A) cataclysmic event
B) hassle
C) chronic stressor
D) life change

Question 7

Which type of conflict involves one option with equally desirable and undesirable characteristics?

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

Question 8

A student must choose between wanting to watch her favorite movie on television and wanting to go out with her friends. This is an example of which type of conflict?

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

Question 9

Which of the following best describes Lei-Lei who is in a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion due to being the sole caretaker for her chronically ill ninety-year-old mother in their home for five years?

A) primary conflict
B) technostress
C) burnout
D) secondary conflict

Question 10

According to your text, many researchers believe that ________ contribute(s) more to people's stress levels than ________.

A) major life events; hassles
B) hassles; major life events.
C) a minor violation of law; divorce
D) vacation; financial problems

Question 11

Which of the following best describes Maya, who is tense and anxious as a result of being told by her supervisor that she cannot proceed with developing an internship program in her department?

A) frustration
B) hostility
C) conflict
D) anger

Question 12

Wanting to make his mother's favorite dish, Tom lacks an essential ingredient. After asking several neighbors and looking for it at several stores without any success, what negative emotion is he likely to experience as he feels blocked from reaching his goal of making the treat?

A) an avoidance-avoidance conflict
B) the failure syndrome
C) frustration
D) stress-induced anger

Question 13

The body's delayed stress response is facilitated by the ________.

A) SAM system
B) HPA-axis
C) EPA-axis
D) SSRS system

Question 14

Which of the following is a key element of the HPA axis, and plays a critical role in the long-term effects of stress?

A) epinephrine
B) norepinephrine
C) insulin
D) cortisol

Question 15

When stressors are perceived, which part of the endocrine system is responsible for activating the adrenal cortex, which in turn releases glucocorticoids?

A) the hypothalamus
B) the thyroid glands
C) the parathyroid glands
D) the pituitary gland

Question 16

The fact that people experiencing elevated stress are more susceptible to conditions such as periodontal disease, Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and bursitis suggests that stress involves a reduced ability to regulate the normal ________.

A) inflammation system
B) NK-cell system
C) SAM system
D) HPA system

Question 17

Suddenly forgetting important information during a big exam may be explained as the effect of ________.

A) chronic stress
B) affective stress disorder
C) acute stress
D) an overwhelming sense of time urgency

Question 18

MRI studies of children who grew up in poverty found that, in comparison to children from middle- and higher-income families, children from impoverished families had ________.

A) larger frontal lobes
B) decreased gray matter
C) larger temporal lobes
D) decreased volume of the ventricles

Question 19

Flip has been assigned a new account at work, and is told that a good job could earn him a promotion. He feels challenged and energized by the new account, and is going to work hard to earn the client as a new customer. Flip is responding to the effects of ________.

A) distress
B) burnout
C) eustress
D) PTSD

Question 20

When she finds out that her mother has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Jacinta feels very upset and unsettled. She knows she has to do some research and learn about the illness, but she is fearful that the illness could be terminal. What kind of stress is Jacinta currently experiencing?

A) eustress
B) HPA
C) a hassle
D) distress

Question 21

________ immune system helps defend against disease, while ________ immune system leaves the body susceptible to a number of diseases.

A) A normal-functioning; a suppressed
B) A suppressed; a normal-functioning
C) A pharmaceutically enhanced; a natural
D) An overactive; a normal-functioning

Question 22

Research finds that an individual's optimal level of stress depends on the ________.

A) complexity of the task being completed
B) ability to effectively use repression of the stressor
C) extent to which emotions can be kept in check
D) activation of the HPA pathway

Question 23

Painful lesions to the lining of the stomach and duodenum are ________.

A) intestinal ulcers
B) caused by stress alone
C) diverticulitis
D) gastric ulcers

Question 24

The H. pylori bacterium that is associated with ulcer formation is found in ________.

A) 25% of people who do not have gastric ulcers
B) 33% of people with gastric ulcers
C) 75% of people who do not have gastric ulcers
D) 100% of people with gastric ulcers

Question 25

Gastric ulcers are associated with ________.

A) personality type
B) stress and biological factors
C) stress alone
D) genetics

Question 26

Which of these does NOT cause gastric ulcers but is a contributing factor along with biological factors?

A) personality type
B) depression
C) stress
D) genetics

Question 27

Which of these occurs when a primitive cell begins rapidly dividing and invades healthy tissue?

A) cancer
B) respiratory disease
C) cardiovascular disease
D) PTSD

Question 28

According to your text, most people do not have cancer because ________.

A) the immune system keeps cancer cells in check
B) they engage in essentially healthy lifestyles
C) the fight or flight syndrome functions today as well as it did in prehistoric times
D) the general adaptation syndrome prevents the growth of cancer cells

Question 29

How many types of cancers have been identified?

A) 20
B) 50
C) 75
D) 100

Question 30

Which of the following may increase the spread of cancer cells to other organs and bones, and thus decrease the likelihood of survival?

A) problems metabolizing oxygen
B) meditation practices
C) insufficient cortisol
D) stress

Question 31

According to your textbook, which disorder causes over half of all deaths in the United States?

A) mental disorders
B) hormone disruptions
C) cardiovascular disorders
D) motor vehicle accidents

Question 32

Which of these occurs when the walls of the coronary arteries thicken, reducing or blocking the blood flow to the heart?

A) heart attack
B) hemorrhages
C) angina
D) heart disease

Question 33

Which one of the following terms is paired with the correct definition?

A) heart attack: a thickening of coronary artery walls that blocks blood flow to the heart
B) angina: chest pain due to a failure of the heart to pump sufficient blood to the heart
C) heart attack: tissue thickening resulting from increased blood flow
D) angina: death of heart muscle tissue

Question 34

If Jayne is experiencing chest pains, and it is found that not enough blood is flowing through her heart, she is probably experiencing ________.

A) cardiac arrhythmia
B) atherosclerosis
C) angina
D) a red blood cell deficiency

Question 35

Death of heart muscle tissue occurs in ________.

A) angina
B) atherosclerosis
C) a heart attack
D) angiosclerosis

Question 36

Which statement about pain is correct?

A) Chronic pain generally serves a very useful function.
B) Pain is essential to the survival and well-being of humans and other animals.
C) Virtually all human beings experience pain on a daily basis.
D) There is no such thing as a human being who cannot experience physical pain.

Question 37

Jasmine served in a combat zone where she saw a lot of people injured and dying. Since then, she has flashbacks, nightmares, and has difficulty in many areas of her life. Jasmine is ________.

A) experiencing a psychosomatic illness
B) experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder
C) having a nervous breakdown
D) weaker than people who take such events in stride

Question 38

Which statement regarding the relationship between suicide and PTSD between 2009 and 2011 is true: The rate of suicide among U.S. veterans with PTSD ________.

A) increased for men but decreased for women
B) increased for both men and women
C) decreased for men but increased for women
D) decreased for both men and women

Question 39

Lee was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder following a vicious physical assault. If he is experiencing avoidance symptoms, he is likely ________.

A) having nightmares and flashbacks
B) easily startled and irritable
C) experiencing periods of mania
D) feeling emotionally numb

Question 40

The essential feature of PTSD is ________.

A) the occurrence of periods of severe depression
B) the lack of consistently identified symptoms
C) well-defined damage to the frontal lobes
D) its association with a traumatic event

Question 41

A person who has experienced a traumatic experience can help themselves by ________.

A) being patient with others
B) talking about their dreams
C) recognizing normal crisis reactions
D) being aware of psychosomatic symptoms

Question 42

Research shows that approximately what percentage of all children and teens will experience a traumatic stressor?

A) 5%
B) 15%
C) 40%
D) 95%

Question 43

Which of the following people is most likely to experience PTSD?

A) Susan, who witnessed her child being brutally murdered
B) Eric, who failed a psychology exam and now does not qualify for the Ph.D. program
C) Joe, an Olympic skier who came in fourth place in his final ski competition
D) Yvette, who was a victim of identity theft and has no money left in her bank account

Question 44

Individuals who are diagnosed with PTSD are at increased risk of ________.

A) schizophrenia
B) affective stress disorder
C) alcohol and drug use disorders
D) personality disorders

Question 45

In the past, doctors working with combat veterans referred to PTSD as ________.

A) schizophrenia
B) affective stress disorder
C) moral weakness
D) shell shock

Question 46

If Denise decides that the stressor she is confronting, a difficult math test, is an event that is potential harmful to her, she has just engaged in ________.

A) secondary appraisal
B) primary appraisal
C) rationalization
D) withdrawal

Question 47

Alex decides that the best way to deal with his stressor of a math test is to study several hours and receive extra help from his professor; he has just engaged in ________.

A) secondary appraisal
B) primary appraisal
C) rationalization
D) withdrawal

Question 48

Primary appraisal refers to the idea of deciding ________.

A) if a stressor is harmless or potentially harmful
B) what types of coping strategies are available
C) to use defense mechanisms to deal with a stressor
D) to directly deal with the stressor

Question 49

If you have some control over the circumstances that are creating your stress, which forms of coping are likely to be most effective in changing the problem that is causing stress?

A) problem-focused
B) emotion-focused
C) affect-focused
D) effect-focused

Question 50

If you want to apply a problem-focused form of coping to preparing for an exam, your best strategy will be to ________.

A) try to relax before the exam by going out with friends
B) keep a positive frame of mind by telling yourself that you are smart and capable
C) prepare for the exam by studying and asking questions during class
D) tell yourself that the score you get has nothing to do with your value as a person

Question 51

Emotion-focused forms of coping focus on ________.

A) physical ailments
B) feelings
C) cognitions
D) preventive strategies

Question 52

Strategies used by the ego to distort reality and relieve anxiety and guilt are called ________.

A) defense mechanisms
B) cognitive reappraisals
C) juvenile thinking
D) primary process thinking

Question 53

Rationalization is an example of a(n) ________.

A) problem solving strategy
B) extrinsic excuse
C) defense mechanism
D) cognitive-behavioral strategy

Question 54

Mae recently learned that there will be layoffs at her company, so she decides to take classes and to learn skills that will enable her to move to other positions in her company. Which of the following best describes Mae's approach to dealing with this stressor?

A) belief that external factors would determine the outcome
B) belief that she controlled her own fate
C) mindfulness stress reduction
D) social support from friends and family

Question 55

People with which of the following feel powerless to change their circumstances, are less likely to make effective and positive changes, and are more likely to experience high levels of stress?

A) external locus of control
B) high need for challenge
C) internal locus of control
D) high self-efficacy

Question 56

Keiko is content living in San Francisco, where she enjoys the cultural opportunities, great restaurants, and wonderful climate. She even enjoys the challenge of bicycling to work. Keiko could be described as demonstrating ________.

A) positive affect
B) the pleasure principle
C) affective behavior
D) PTSD

Question 57

When she arrives at the dentist for her six-month checkup, Jess feels sure that she is going to get a good report from the hygienist. She has been brushing twice a day, and flosses her teeth every night before bed. Jess's expectation of positive outcomes demonstrates ________.

A) pessimism
B) social support
C) optimism
D) empathy

Question 58

Which of the following is a coping resource listed in your text?

A) using defense mechanisms
B) blaming other people
C) enlisting help when needed
D) ignoring the problem

Question 59

Exercise can help to alleviate which unpleasant psychological symptoms?

A) anxiety and mania
B) depression and delusions
C) delusions and anxiety
D) anxiety and depression

Question 60

Good social skills can help deal with stress by accomplishing which of the following?

A) relieving self-esteem issues
B) helping us to recognize our desires and needs
C) decreasing hostility in tense situations
D) minimizing anxiety and depression

Question 61

According to your text, which of the following helps to reduce the muscle tension associated with stress?

A) meditation
B) progressive relaxation
C) positive beliefs
D) biofeedback

Question 62

Which of the following might a health psychologist study?

A) how psychology helps with sports injuries
B) the interplay between physical and psychological well-being
C) how long-term therapy helps wellness
D) how people become ill from hereditary illnesses

Question 63

Which of the following is most likely to be studied by health psychologists?

A) pain
B) broken bones
C) schizophrenia
D) brain lesions

Question 64

A health psychologist is likely to do which one of the following?

A) study interpersonal relationships among nurses and doctors
B) teach people to be less assertive and more aggressive
C) be interested in the relationship between stress and diseases
D) work on increasing a person's work hours and earning potential

Question 65

Which of the following is associated with higher levels of job stress?

A) having supportive colleagues at work
B) feeling as though raises are based on who the boss likes
C) having control over the workload
D) working at a location that is close to home

Question 66

According to your text, a primary reason young people begin smoking is ________.

A) a desire to rebel against parents
B) a desire to rebel against society
C) associating smoking with pleasant things
D) exposure to nicotine, which triggers a biological need for more

Question 67

Which two factors make it hard to quit smoking?

A) changes in acetylcholine and serotonin production
B) social rewards and physical addiction to nicotine
C) physical addiction and decreases in withdrawal symptoms
D) physical withdrawal symptoms and an internal locus of control

Question 68

Which one of the following is NOT typical work for a health psychologist?

A) independent clinical work
B) consultations with physicians
C) research studies
D) physical or occupational therapy

Question 69

Health psychologists help people cope with conditions such as ________.

A) chronic pain
B) athlete's foot
C) tooth decay
D) schizophrenia

Question 70

Maricella gets very anxious about the fact that all of her friends have Facebook accounts, regularly post on Instagram, and are experts at using their smartphones. She does not like these things, and prefers not to use them. Maricella's response to these different items is an example of ________.

A) the general adaptation syndrome
B) a defense mechanism
C) eustress
D) technostress

Question 71

Which of the following is LEAST likely to cause significant stress?

A) experiencing a major life change
B) maintaining fairly consistent daily routines
C) being frustrated about your finances
D) having lots of hassles in your daily life

Question 72

________ stress is a short-term state of arousal that is a response to a perceived threat or challenge that has a defined endpoint.

Question 73

The pleasant, desirable stress that arouses us to persevere and accomplish challenging goals is called ________.

Question 74

Active listening, empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness are all qualities of communication that were promoted by psychologist ________.

Question 75

The assessment of a person's resources for coping with a specific stressor is called the ________ appraisal.

Question 76

The anxiety that is stimulated by a discomfort with or overexposure to computers, smart phones, and similar devices is called ________.

Question 77

Define conflict and the three basic types of conflict; state which is usually the hardest to resolve. Using your own life experiences, provide an example of each of these conflicts, and discuss which was the hardest to resolve and why.

Question 78

Compare and contrast the SAM system and the HPA axis and how they contribute to the stress response that takes place in the body.

Question 79

Describe the general adaptation syndrome and discuss how stress suppresses the immune system.

Question 80

Identify two physical or psychological disorders that result from stress. Compare and contrast these disorders, and explain how stress plays a role in them.