Deck 5: Coping

Question 1

Coping is defined as:

A) eliminating all stressors.
B) denying the experience of stress.
C) actively avoiding stressful situations.
D) expending effort to master stress.

Answer 1

expending effort to master stress.

Question 2

Success in coping has been linked to:

A) the strategies used.
B) a sense of personal control.
C) positive emotions.
D) all of the above.

Answer 2

all of the above.

Question 3

Success in coping has been linked to all of the following EXCEPT:

A) the strategies used.
B) positive emotions.
C) avoidance of stress.
D) a sense of personal control.

Answer 3

avoidance of stress.

Question 4

Chuck is having trouble growing vegetables in his new garden plot, so he sends a sample of the soil to a lab for analysis. According to Lazarus, Chuck is trying to deal with this situation by:

A) emotion-focused coping.
B) meaning-making coping.
C) problem-focused coping.
D) active-cognitive strategies.

Question 5

Kip failed her first psychology test, so she goes to the instructor to get some study suggestions before the next test. According to Lazarus, Kip is trying to deal with this situation by:

A) problem-focused coping.
B) meaning-making coping.
C) emotion-focused coping.
D) active-cognitive strategies.

Question 6

If you use defense mechanisms, such as rationalization or denial, in dealing with problems, Lazarus would say that you are using:

A) active-behavioral strategies.
B) problem-focused coping.
C) emotion-focused coping.
D) meaning-making coping.

Question 7

If one constantly focused of one's own death, one would be overwhelmed by these thoughts and feelings. According to Lazarus' theory, one deals with this situation through denial, which is an example of:

A) meaning-making coping.
B) emotion-focused coping.
C) problem-focused coping.
D) active-behavioral strategies.

Question 8

Your dentist tells you that ignoring the painful toothache will not make it any better. You've probably been practicing:

A) emotion-focused coping.
B) problem-focused coping.
C) active-behavioral strategies.
D) meaning-making coping.

Question 9

According to Lazarus, if a student deals with problems in a college course by avoiding the class or convincing him/herself that the class doesn't matter, this student is using:

A) problem-focused coping.
B) emotion-focused coping.
C) active-behavioral strategies.
D) active-cognitive strategies.

Question 10

In the long term, we are better off using _________ than ___________ to cope with life's troubles.

A) emotion-focused coping; problem-focused coping
B) problem-focused coping; emotion-focused coping
C) avoidance strategies; active-behavioral strategies
D) emotion-focused coping; avoidance strategies

Question 11

Positive appraisal is one example of:

A) emotion-focused coping.
B) problem-focused coping.
C) meaning-making coping.
D) active-behavioral strategies.

Question 12

Margaret's son is now an adult and is serving as a missionary many thousands of miles away. Although she is now widowed and misses her son terribly, she usually focuses on how her son is living the values and ideals that she and her late husband instilled in him. Margaret is coping with her son's absence through:

A) emotion-focused coping.
B) problem-focused coping.
C) meaning-making coping.
D) active-behavioral strategies.

Question 13

Carol is the only one in her group who does not smoke. Although she is teased by her friends for being a "goody two-shoes," she continues not to smoke and deals with the teasing by thinking about how she is going to have "goody two lungs" when she gets older. Carol's reinterpretation of the situation would be considered:

A) meaning-making coping.
B) emotion-focused coping.
C) problem-focused coping.
D) avoidance coping..

Question 14

Samar was laid off at work about a month ago. She is in the process of using an active-cognitive strategy. What is she doing?

A) She is talking with a psychiatrist.
B) She is trying to figure out why she was laid off.
C) She has been doing research on a new career.
D) She visits work every day to see if there will be any rehiring in the future.

Question 15

Active-cognitive strategies are to ________ as active-behavioral strategies are to ________.

A) actions; thinking
B) rationalization; emotions
C) thinking; actions
D) denial; avoidance

Question 16

Paula's house was recently damaged very badly in a tornado. If Paula uses active-behavioral coping, she will:

A) begin to salvage as many of her possessions as possible.
B) deny that her property was damaged that badly.
C) start crying.
D) spend hours thinking about what she should do.

Question 17

Marian has three term papers and two projects to complete this semester. She thinks back to a previous semester when she had so many written reports to complete and remembers that she was able to do it. Marian is feeling better because she used:

A) active-cognitive coping strategies.
B) active-behavioral coping strategies.
C) avoidance coping strategies.
D) emotion-focused coping strategies.

Question 18

Theresa has just left an abusive relationship. After she prays for guidance and strength for the uncertain days ahead, she vows to be more discerning in her selection of a mate in the future. Theresa is using:

A) emotion-focused coping strategies.
B) active-cognitive coping strategies.
C) active-behavioral coping strategies.
D) avoidance coping strategies.

Question 19

After her husband left her, Semone went to a lawyer and an accountant to deal with the financial changes in her life; and she went to a psychologist to help deal with the emotional changes. By going to these professionals, Semone is using:

A) active-cognitive coping strategies.
B) active-behavioral coping strategies.
C) avoidance coping strategies.
D) emotion-focused coping strategies.

Question 20

While Susie is waiting for her teenage children to come home at their curfew time, she stays busy cleaning or sewing to keep her mind off worrying about them. Suzie is using:

A) avoidance coping strategies.
B) active-cognitive coping strategies.
C) active-behavioral coping strategies.
D) meaning-making coping strategies.

Question 21

Derrick deals with the death of his wife by drinking and smoking to numb his feelings of sadness. Derrick is using:

A) avoidance coping strategies.
B) active-cognitive coping strategies.
C) active-behavioral coping strategies.
D) problem-focused coping strategies.

Question 22

Simon is having problems at work and usually takes out his anger on his wife and kids, or he tries to escape the tension by using tranquilizers. Simon is using:

A) active-cognitive coping strategies.
B) active-behavioral coping strategies.
C) avoidance coping strategies.
D) problem-focused coping strategies.

Question 23

_____________ is the ability to modify coping strategies to match the demands of the situation.

A) Psychological congruence
B) Cognitive flexibility
C) Self-efficacy
D) Multidirectionality

Question 24

The contextual approach to coping emphasizes that the most effective coping occurs when people:

A) use a single coping strategy consistently.
B) match their coping strategy to their personalities.
C) use emotion-focused coping more than problem-focused coping.
D) match the coping strategy to the demands of the situation.

Question 25

A positive mood helps us handle stress by:

A) improving our ability to process information efficiently.
B) enhancing our self-esteem.
C) giving us a sense that we are controlling our environment.
D) doing all of the above.

Question 26

The process of __________ focuses on modifying the thoughts, ideas, and beliefs that maintain our problems.

A) empowerment
B) self-actualization
C) cognitive restructuring
D) counterconditioning

Question 27

Self-talk is based on the idea that:

A) talking to oneself is a symptom of mental illness.
B) thoughts and behavior are independent.
C) our mental speech can influence our behavior.
D) thoughts are more important than behavior.

Question 28

As Danica studies for her exams, she feels confident that she will earn good scores. However, during an exam, her self-talk becomes negative, and she typically does poorly. What should Danica do to help herself monitor her self-talk?

A) Write down only the positive self-talk.
B) Use more problem-coping strategies.
C) Ignore the negative self-talk since it is very likely to disappear over time.
D) Use negative emotions as cues to pay attention to self-talk.

Question 29

When the professor explained the problem-based learning project for the semester, some of the students immediately engaged in self-talk. Which of the following self-statements would be MOST effective in helping the students to cope with the requirements of the project?

A) "I know everyone thinks that this project is going to take too much out-of-class time."
B) "This is tough, but it is still possible to do if we all work together."
C) "Most of the instructors grade fairly leniently so we will probably be fine no matter how much work we do."
D) "I need to make sure everyone does their fair share or this project will not get completed."

Question 30

According to research, happy people often:

A) have positive illusions about themselves.
B) perceive reality very accurately.
C) have mildly negative illusions about themselves.
D) magnify their mistakes but only in their self-talk.

Question 31

According to research, the BEST orientation is to possess:

A) grandiose self-illusions.
B) mildly positive self-illusions.
C) mildly negative self-illusions.
D) depressively negative self-illusions.

Question 32

According to research, seeing things too accurately, for some people, can lead to:

A) grandiose self-illusions.
B) a mildly positive outlook.
C) depression.
D) better performance on the job.

Question 33

People with low self-esteem are more likely to:

A) possess hardiness.
B) possess negative self-illusions.
C) set moderately challenging goals.
D) give positive regard to others.

Question 34

Why might focusing on a potentially negative outcome be helpful?

A) It allows us to develop strategies to deal with or prevent the negative outcome.
B) It leads to an increase in stress hormone production.
C) It could help us to experience catharsis.
D) There is no advantage to focusing on negative outcomes.

Question 35

Cynthia, an honor student, is very fearful of failing her history test. According to research, this defensive pessimism will MOST likely:

A) cause her to actually fail this history test.
B) cause her to develop constructive strategies to deal with the stress.
C) cause her to develop low self-esteem.
D) have no effect on her behavior, positively or negatively.

Question 36

According to Martin Seligman, optimists tend to explain the cause of bad events as being the result of:

A) specific causes.
B) stable causes.
C) internal causes.
D) all of the above.

Question 37

According to Martin Seligman, pessimists tend to explain the cause of bad events as being the result of:

A) specific causes.
B) unstable causes.
C) internal causes.
D) all of the above.

Question 38

Jeanea sees her lack of friends as resulting from her lack of intelligence and her dull personality. According to Martin Seligman, Jeanea would:

A) believe her lack of friends to be a stable situation.
B) be characterized as a pessimist.
C) believe her lack of friends to be due to internal causes.
D) be characterized by all of the above.

Question 39

After moving to a new town in late summer, Josh is feeling lonely. He has decided to join several clubs at his new high school this fall. According to Martin Seligman, Josh would:

A) believe that his lack of friends is due to an global cause.
B) believe that his lack of friends is an unstable condition.
C) be characterized as a pessimist.
D) be characterized by none of the above.

Question 40

In Seligman's view, pessimism is much like a person who:

A) has learned helplessness.
B) has an internal locus of control.
C) believes that problems have a specific, unstable cause.
D) is characterized by all of the above.

Question 41

In Seligman's view, optimism is much like a person who:

A) has learned helplessness.
B) has an internal locus of control.
C) believes that problems have stable, global causes.
D) is characterized by all of the above.

Question 42

Joey is an optimist and his wife Helen is a pessimist. According to the research studies,

A) Joey will more likely be physically healthier than Helen.
B) Joey will experience less burnout than Helen on the job.
C) Joey will be more likely to avoid depression than Helen.
D) all of the above are true.

Question 43

According to research, pessimists have been shown to:

A) be mentally healthier than optimists.
B) have more effective immune systems than optimists.
C) have lower blood pressures than optimists.
D) have none of the above advantages.

Question 44

According to Lazarus, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A) Optimism can have costs if it is too unrealistic.
B) Optimism is always a good strategy.
C) Pessimism is a better strategy when you have a chance of affecting the future.
D) None of the above statements is true, according to Lazarus.

Question 45

Merle just broke up with his girlfriend and thinks that this is the end of the world. Which of the following would be a good adjustment strategy for Merle to help him become more optimistic, according to Seligman?

A) Use thought stopping.
B) Start dating new people as soon as possible.
C) List all of his girlfriend's bad habits.
D) Go talk to his girlfriend about his feelings.

Question 46

According to Seligman, which of the following could help a person to become more optimistic?

A) Become aware of your pattern of thinking when you experience unpleasant events.
B) Use thought stopping to distract yourself from pessimistic thoughts.
C) Dispute your pessimistic thoughts and replace them with more realistic explanations.
D) All of the above could help you become more optimistic.

Question 47

A person who believes s/he has personal control has all of the following characteristics EXCEPT:

A) a strong sense of self-efficacy.
B) a belief that one can master a situation and produce positive outcomes.
C) an external locus of control.
D) an ability to delay gratification.

Question 48

Chris is a student with an internal locus of control. According to the research, Chris is likely to:

A) blame his teachers for his bad grades.
B) feel that his bad grades are due to chance regarding how many tests he has that day.
C) perceive himself as a victim.
D) be characterized by none of the above.

Question 49

Workers with a high degree of self-efficacy tend to:

A) worry about their inadequacies.
B) lack calmness in performing their work tasks.
C) have a high work productivity
D) do all of the above.

Question 50

Ferris is a bright young college student who would be described as having an internal locus of control and a high degree of self-efficacy. However, his grades in college have been only lackluster and not up to his potential. The most likely cause of this poor performance is:

A) his belief that his teachers are not preparing him well for the tests.
B) his inability to delay the gratification of going to a party in order to study.
C) his poor preparation by his high school before going to college.
D) his perception of himself as a victim.

Question 51

Sydney has been described as having an internal locus of control and a high degree of self-efficacy. However, she is still having trouble losing the weight that she wants to lose. According to the social cognitive theorists, the MOST likely cause of her failure to lose weight would be:

A) her perception of herself as a victim.
B) her lack of support from her family and friends.
C) her inability to delay the gratification of eating her favorite foods.
D) her genetic make-up and her slower middle-age metabolism.

Question 52

The first step in increasing self-control is:

A) making a commitment to change.
B) collecting data about your behavior.
C) learning to self-monitor.
D) stating the problem in specific terms.

Question 53

What is the main reason for collecting data before you develop your self-control program?

A) The data collected provides a baseline from which your progress can be evaluated.
B) It provides practice for data collection later in the program.
C) Data collection can help focus attention on the problem.
D) Data collection helps people to learn to engage in self-talk.

Question 54

A well-designed program aimed at increasing self-control always includes:

A) self-punishment.
B) disinhibition.
C) self-talk.
D) assertiveness training.

Question 55

Having a buddy in a self-control program serves the purpose of:

A) increasing social competence.
B) increasing self-talk.
C) controlling self-thoughts.
D) keeping a check on each other's progress.

Question 56

Ed is using thought stopping to help him eliminate his self-doubts. Ed says to himself, "Stop" when he thinks he is worthless. Next, Ed must:

A) substitute a more pleasant thought.
B) seek evidence that he is truly worthy in this situation.
C) think of other situations when he felt worthless.
D) monitor his thoughts for more instances of self-doubt.

Question 57

If Alberta is using thought stopping to help her lose weight, Alberta will say to herself, "Stop" whenever she thinks of eating a snack and then substitute self-talk that will:

A) monitor her thoughts for more instances of self-doubt.
B) remind her of how worthless she would be if she did eat that snack.
C) remind her of the advantages of losing weight.
D) remind her of other situations, when she gave into temptation.

Question 58

A program offered at the university assists students in developing skills they need to control their own lives. The program gives students increased:

A) empowerment.
B) disinhibition.
C) emotion-focused coping.
D) deindividuation.

Question 59

Pastor Myers is offering a service at his church to help individuals to acquire adaptive skills and self-control. This service is MOST likely an example of:

A) emotion-focused coping.
B) deindividuation.
C) empowerment.
D) disinhibition training.

Question 60

Social support offers which of the following benefits?

A) tangible assistance
B) information
C) emotional support
D) all of the above

Question 61

Whenever Reggie is having a hard time at school, he seeks information and feedback from his family, whom he values and loves. Reggie's family provides him with:

A) empowerment.
B) problem-focused coping strategies.
C) cognitive restructuring strategies.
D) social support.

Question 62

A flood destroyed Elma's home. Her friends and family provided her with food, shelter, and clothing. This is an example of:

A) emotional support.
B) tangible assistance.
C) intangible assistance.
D) proactive disinhibition.

Question 63

Diann notices that her co-worker Janice always seems to be overloaded with work because she has trouble delegating assignments to her assistants. Diann talks to Janice and encourages her to delegate more. Diann is exhibiting which aspect of social support?

A) emotional support
B) information
C) tangible assistance
D) constructive criticism

Question 64

When Alex did not win the spelling bee, his family and friends assured Alex that they loved him and were very proud of him being one of the top five "spellers" in the city. Alex's family and friends are providing which aspect of social support?

A) emotional support.
B) information.
C) tangible assistance.
D) cognitive restructuring.

Question 65

Research indicates that depressed people, when compared with people who were not depressed, have:

A) equally supportive relationships with others.
B) less supportive relationships with others.
C) closer relationships with their family members but not with any friends.
D) a more diverse social network.

Question 66

According to correlational research, which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the effects of social support?

A) Employees with chronic fatigue syndrome had more diverse social ties than those employees who did not have the syndrome.
B) Married women die at a higher rate than widows when every known cause of death is included.
C) People who have more diverse social ties live longer than those who do not.
D) None of the above statements are true according to the correlational research findings.

Question 67

According to correlational research, people who participate in more diverse social networks:

A) were more susceptible to catching the common cold than those with less diverse social ties.
B) lived longer than the people with less diverse social ties.
C) coped more poorly with stress and tended to depend more on others than those with less diverse social ties.
D) were not found to have any of the above characteristics.

Question 68

Past and current stress is to ___________ as potential stressors are to ____________.

A) reactive coping; proactive coping
B) proactive coping; anticipatory coping
C) proactive coping; preventive coping
D) proactive coping; reactive coping

Question 69

Mason has heard a rumor that his company may be downsizing in the coming year. To reduce the impact of this stress, Mason should use:

A) reactive coping.
B) proactive coping.
C) positive rumination.
D) defensive optimism.

Question 70

It is the second week in November, and Donna is beginning to review some of her earlier notes in psychology so she will be better prepared for the final exam next month. Donna is using:

A) reactive coping.
B) anticipatory coping.
C) preventative coping.
D) emotion-focused coping.

Question 71

After reading about former President Clinton's heart surgery, Lenny, who is 25 years old, has decided to begin a regular exercise program in order to ward off possible cardiovascular problems when he is older. Lenny is using:

A) reactive coping.
B) anticipatory coping.
C) preventative coping.
D) all of the above types of coping.

Question 72

The two types of proactive coping include:

A) reactive coping and anticipatory coping.
B) reactive coping and preventative coping.
C) retroactive coping and reactive coping.
D) anticipatory coping and preventative coping.

Question 73

__________ involves dealing with a stressor that is reasonably certain to occur in the near future; while __________ involves dealing with uncertain stressors in the distant future.

A) Reactive coping; anticipatory coping
B) Reactive coping; preventative coping
C) Anticipatory coping; preventative coping
D) Preventative coping; anticipatory coping

Question 74

Reactive coping strategies:

A) are future-oriented.
B) are motivated by the appraisal of risk.
C) involve perceiving potential stressors as challenging and stimulating.
D) are characterized by all of the above.

Question 75

Proactive coping strategies:

A) deal with events that have already occurred.
B) manage goals.
C) are motivated by an appraisal of risk.
D) are characterized by all of the above.

Question 76

Which of the following is NOT one of Aspinwall's proactive coping strategies?

A) Build a reserve of financial and social resources that can be used to prevent or offset future losses.
B) Appraise potential stressors.
C) Appraise past stressors.
D) Engage in preliminary coping efforts.

Question 77

Doing something enjoyable when under stress helps us to:

A) avoid becoming immobilized.
B) deny the stress.
C) keep a balance between disinhibition and inhibition.
D) bring others into our problems.

Question 78

The author of the textbook mentions that humor can help us to cope with stress by:

A) releasing pent-up emotions.
B) distracting us and helping us to deny that our lives are that stressful.
C) helping us to rationalize the causes of the stress.
D) helping us to repress anger caused by the stress.

Question 79

Matt makes rather hostile sarcastic jokes that imply that men are superior to women. According to the research on the effects of humor, Matt's type of joking will:

A) lower his stress level.
B) increase levels of his secretory immunoglobin A.
C) do both A. and B.
D) do neither A. nor B.

Question 80

Which of the following is an idea presented in your textbook for increasing humor in one's life?

A) Watch cartoons you enjoyed as a child.
B) Go to a comedy club.
C) Keep a log of ridiculous things that happen each day.
D) Watch the old comedy movies of the Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy.