Deck 4: Managing Stress and Coping With Lifes Challenges

Question 1

Catrina just missed hitting a deer as she was driving along a dark, curving road. She felt her racing heart finally slow down after she pulled off the road and took a few deep breaths. This is an example of a(n)

A) challenge.
B) adaptive response.
C) fight-or-flight response.
D) state of overload.

Answer 1

adaptive response.

Question 2

Before taking her biology final, Jessie experienced abdominal pain and nausea, but these symptoms weren't caused by a gastrointestinal virus. Stress could contribute to these symptoms by

A) increasing blood flow to her digestive organs.
B) increasing the production of insulin.
C) increasing her heart rate.
D) decreasing blood flow to her digestive organs.

Answer 2

decreasing blood flow to her digestive organs.

Question 3

Emily is experiencing chronic stress due to a dysfunctional relationship. Which of the following defines the allostatic load Emily is carrying?

A) The long-term wear and tear on the body caused by the stress response
B) The magnitude of the body's response to a stressor
C) The increased magnitude of a stressor required to cause a response
D) The ability of the immune system to respond to assaults

Answer 3

The long-term wear and tear on the body caused by the stress response

Question 4

Ken is the new pastor at a local church. He is both nervous and excited about his new post and is looking forward to meeting all the members of his new congregation. This process will take some time and effort, but he is convinced that it will help him learn how to serve them better. Ken's situation is an example of

A) distress.
B) anticipation.
C) eustress.
D) reactivity.

Question 5

All of the following are indicators that a person is under sympathetic nervous system control EXCEPT

A) increased heart rate.
B) increased respiration.
C) increased blood flow to the digestive organs.
D) increased blood pressure.

Question 6

Which of the following is most likely to cause eustress instead of distress?

A) Failing a test
B) Losing your job
C) The death of a cherished grandparent
D) An impending promotion

Question 7

A pop quiz in class is an example of

A) chronic stress.
B) a stressor.
C) a frustration.
D) eustress.

Question 8

As Joe prepares to spar with a tae kwon do opponent, his heart rate and respiration rate increase. These are indicators that which branch of the nervous system has been activated?

A) Parasympathetic
B) Autonomic
C) Sympathetic
D) Central

Question 9

Hearing ominous footsteps following you late at night on a campus walking path would likely trigger which phase of the general adaptation syndrome?

A) Resistance
B) Exhaustion
C) Recovery
D) Alarm

Question 10

The physiological state in which all body systems are in balance and functioning normally is

A) adaptation.
B) eustress.
C) homeostasis.
D) recovery.

Question 11

Jade's heart races and she cannot think of anything to say when the cute guy in class sits next to her. This is an example of

A) the overreactive response.
B) the stress response.
C) homeostasis.
D) hyperventilation.

Question 12

David woke up in the middle of the night because he smelled smoke. This most likely caused him to experience

A) insomnia.
B) the flight-or-fight response.
C) the adaptation syndrome.
D) the resistance response.

Question 13

Research on stress and body function have found that prolonged stress

A) reduces the effectiveness of the immune response.
B) increases adaptive energy stores.
C) increases B cell function.
D) affects only a limited number of body systems.

Question 14

Peter recently ended a relationship when he found out his partner was cheating on him. This probably caused

A) eustress.
B) anger.
C) distress.
D) episodic stress.

Question 15

The primary hormone responsible for physiological stress responses such as increased heart and breathing rates is

A) epinephrine.
B) cortisol.
C) thyroxin.
D) insulin.

Question 16

The stress hormone cortisol plays a major role during the stress response in

A) increasing heart and respiratory rates.
B) decreasing appetite and thirst.
C) mobilizing nutrients to meet energy needs.
D) relieving pain.

Question 17

An example of an event likely to be associated with distress is

A) bouncing several checks.
B) the end of final exam week.
C) getting the highest score on a difficult exam.
D) completing an assignment.

Question 18

The body's attempt to restore homeostasis in the aftermath of a stress response is a(n)

A) fight-or-flight response.
B) biological response.
C) sympathetic response.
D) adaptive response.

Question 19

Which of the following is true about stress?

A) Stress is only produced by externally imposed factors and is always negative.
B) Stress is a mental and physical response to real or perceived changes, challenges, or threats.
C) It is possible to eliminate all stressors in our lives if we try hard enough.
D) Stress does not affect a person's general health.

Question 20

All of the following are likely to influence your response to stress EXCEPT

A) your past experiences.
B) your personality.
C) your friend's level of stress.
D) your general health status.

Question 21

Tyler wants to win the trumpet soloist competition this year. His practice time always ends up being the same time his friends are going out to party. Tyler always goes along for the party because he figures he can squeeze in a few minutes of practice somewhere in his schedule. It is competition week and Tyler has come down with a terrible stomach bug. Tyler's illness may be related to

A) outward conflict.
B) behavior that is inconsistent with his goals.
C) a consistent pattern of not eating healthy food.
D) overload.

Question 22

Brian is considered a Type A personality by his friends because of his history of "road rage" and extreme competitiveness. All the following put him at increased risk for cardiovascular disease EXCEPT

A) his negative beliefs and hostile attitudes toward others.
B) bouts of anger ranging from irritation to rage.
C) his actions that often harm others verbally or physically.
D) his upbeat, glass-half-full approach to life.

Question 23

College freshmen living away from home for the first time may face a variety of conflicts due to differences between their own values and beliefs and those of

A) their professors
B) their parents and new people they encounter.
C) their parents and their long-time friends
D) celebrities they admire

Question 24

Which of the following situations might contribute to impaired immune function?

A) You purchase a new car when you get your first job offer.
B) Your grandmother moves in with your family after being hospitalized due to a stroke.
C) You keep changing the diet, vitamin, and exercise regimen you follow to see faster results.
D) You have a fairly calm demeanor and life rarely "stresses you out."

Question 25

The ability of the immune system to respond to assaults is known as

A) immunocompetence.
B) adaptation.
C) immunity.
D) defense.

Question 26

Mariah is behind on her coursework because of training for the upcoming tryouts for the swim team. On top of that, she broke up with her boyfriend last week. Monica, her twin sister, does not participate on a sports team and has plenty of time to get her homework done before her boyfriend visits most evenings. Compared to Monica, Mariah is likely to experience

A) fewer incidences of cold-related symptoms.
B) more upper respiratory illness.
C) less joint pain.
D) better sleep.

Question 27

Chronic stress has a strong connection to all of the following medical conditions EXCEPT

A) impaired immune function.
B) heart disease.
C) diabetes.
D) tooth decay.

Question 28

Of the following choices, the best example of conflict is

A) worrying about a tough test.
B) wanting to go out with friends but needing to study.
C) too many responsibilities.
D) experiencing illness due to stress.

Question 29

When we are forced to choose between two or more competing desires, motives, behaviors, or impulses, which process is occurring?

A) Doubt
B) Control
C) Adaptation
D) Conflict

Question 30

Which of the following forms of stress management also improves flexibility?

A) Yoga
B) Deep breathing
C) Biofeedback
D) Progressive muscle relaxation

Question 31

Which of the following forms of stress management is also a Chinese martial art?

A) Yoga
B) Tai chi
C) Tae Bo
D) Tae kwon do

Question 32

Which of the following hormones might contribute to the "Freshman 15"-the tendency to gain about 15 pounds during the first year of college?

A) Testosterone
B) Estrogen
C) Cortisol
D) Epinephrine

Question 33

You eat an entire box of cookies the night before you'll attend the next Weight Watchers meeting. This is an example of

A) inconsistent goals and behavior.
B) goals defined by parental expectations.
C) conflict due to feeling overwhelmed by obligations.
D) the general adaptation syndrome.

Question 34

Luci has worked as a customer service representative for two years. She believes that this job has improved her ability to cope with a variety of stressful situations and is confident in her ability to do so. Luci is exhibiting which of the following personality traits?

A) Self-efficacy
B) Type A
C) Type B
D) Low self-esteem

Question 35

Which of the following best describes a Type C personality?

A) Relaxed
B) Hostile
C) Stoic
D) Distressed

Question 36

Which of the following categories describes the small stressors, frustrations, and petty annoyances that collectively can add up to a higher level of stress?

A) Adjustments
B) Hassles
C) Pressures
D) Choices

Question 37

Rudy lives behind the train depot in a cheap apartment in a run-down building. He gets quite a few upper respiratory infections, and he suspects that these could be related to mold or toxic substances in the building. His recurrent illnesses are likely due to

A) a major immune disorder.
B) background distressors.
C) his incessant worrying.
D) technostress.

Question 38

Jack, president of a new sales company and father of six children, had a heart attack at the age of 46. Which of the following may have contributed to his early development of heart disease?

A) Excess stress
B) Excess exercise
C) Lack of sleep
D) Irregular work hours

Question 39

Jo has been seeing a counselor to discuss her issues with anxiety and depression, which developed a few months after she moved to a new city for a job. Which of the following is the most likely source of her anxiety and depression?

A) Multiple physical factors
B) A lack of social support
C) A dull daily routine
D) An ethical conflict

Question 40

Intimate relationships can cause stress in all the following ways EXCEPT

A) excitement and eustress in the early stages of a new relationship.
B) aspiring to be the best one can be.
C) decreased appetite and sleep problems due to conflicts.
D) lowered self-esteem from a destructive relationship.

Question 41

Which of the following statements regarding stress and hair loss is NOT true?

A) Stress may cause hair to fall out in clumps.
B) Stress may cause hair to fall out as a result of destroyed hair follicles.
C) Solutions include improving diet and sleep quality and better managing stress.
D) Stress-induced hair loss is irreversible.

Question 42

Research has shown that laughter results in all of the following EXCEPT

A) decreased stress levels.
B) increased levels of oxygen in the blood.
C) pain reduction.
D) increased risk of heart disease.

Question 43

Eating healthy foods helps in managing stress because

A) they are easier on the digestive system.
B) a calming effect is usually produced.
C) they nourish the body and provide stamina for stressful times.
D) food is comforting and can distract one from problems.

Question 44

Downshifting refers to the process of

A) using meditation to combat the stress response
B) taking steps to simplify one's life..
C) deliberately completing tasks at a slower pace.
D) allowing depression to take over as the result of stress.

Question 45

Meditation has been proven effective in managing stress. Which of the following is NOT true about meditation?

A) There is only one meditation style that is considered effective.
B) Meditation allows the body to relax while the mind is focused.
C) Meditation involves some method of calming and focusing the mind
D) It usually takes some effort and patience to learn to meditate.

Question 46

Cortisol contributes to weight gain by

A) increasing testosterone production.
B) lowering metabolic rate and elevating glucose levels
C) increasing thirst for sweet beverages.
D) stimulating cravings for healthy foods such as vegetables.

Question 47

Hakim walked into his house one summer day and discovered that the air conditioning was not working. He did not get upset because the last time this happened, he found a great repair company that was fast and affordable; he also had a couple of fans that he used to keep cool until the AC was repaired. Hakim did not experience excessive stress because

A) his appraisal of the stressor told him he could cope with it.
B) he had a plan in place due to his last experience with the repair company.
C) he has low self-esteem and knew he could not fix the AC himself.
D) he has a Type A personality.

Question 48

The process of replacing negative thoughts with positive ones is referred to as

A) affirmations.
B) meditation.
C) cognitive restructuring.
D) stress inoculation.

Question 49

All of the following are effective stress management techniques EXCEPT

A) deliberately shifting from negative to positive thoughts.
B) relaxing with a double espresso at your favorite coffee shop.
C) managing your time well.
D) joining a friend for a daily lunchtime walk.

Question 50

Exercise reduces stress by

A) suppressing endocrine function.
B) increasing endorphins and reducing levels of stress hormones.
C) providing a therapeutic way to reduce or eliminate pain.
D) expanding aerobic capacity.

Question 51

To manage stress, the first step is to

A) control your emotional responses.
B) choose to ignore the stressors in your life.
C) determine which stressors can be reduced or eliminated.
D) identify and assess the stressors in your life.

Question 52

Jeff knows the midterm chemistry exam is going to be tough. He is trying to prepare for it by taking a practice test every night before he goes out with his buddies. Jeff is

A) using the technique of stress inoculation.
B) restructuring his thinking patterns.
C) increasing his level of stress before the test.
D) using alcohol as a coping mechanism to relax.

Question 53

Which of the following is a useful strategy to prevent explosive anger?

A) Have a couple of beers with friends to take your mind off the issue.
B) Avoid all situations that provoke anger.
C) Pound on something soft, like a pillow.
D) Develop realistic expectations of yourself and others.

Question 54

Which of the following is a time management tip that can reduce stress?

A) Let your mail pile up and only look at it once a week.
B) Make a daily list of tasks and prioritize them.
C) Take a day off even if you have assignments due.
D) Only clean up clutter when you have enough time to do it right.

Question 55

To replenish vital energy stores, which of the following would be particularly helpful?

A) Getting more sleep and "down time"
B) A regimen of intensive daily exercise
C) Increasing alcohol intake to promote relaxation
D) Broadening one's social support system

Question 56

Which of the following statements is true?

A) Stress management consists of finding balance and developing coping strategies.
B) The goal of stress management is to eliminate all sources of stress.
C) The goal of stress management is to learn to juggle as many tasks as possible.
D) The goal of stress management is to learn to rigidly control reactions to stress.

Question 57

One reason why the Type A personality theory has been debated is because

A) the early research had serious methodological flaws.
B) most people have either Type A or Type B personalities.
C) not all Type A people experience negative health consequences.
D) most people have either Type C or Type D personalities.

Question 58

Which of the following characteristics of a Type A personality have been determined to be the most detrimental to health?

A) Being time-driven and perfectionistic
B) Having a hard-driving approach to tasks and life in general
C) Being highly competitive
D) Having a tendency toward anger and hostility

Question 59

Jake is a good student and seems pretty resilient. He usually gets all of his work completed; if he misses an assignment, he acknowledges it is his own fault. His friends really respect him, but they wish he did not explode so easily over little things. Which of the following is true about Jake?

A) He has the typical Type A personality.
B) He has a hardy personality.
C) His personality varies depending on the situation.
D) He reacts appropriately to all situations.

Question 60

Which of the following statements best describes self-esteem?

A) Self-esteem is inherited and can rarely change.
B) Self-esteem is established during childhood.
C) Self-esteem has to do with the ability to follow the lead of others.
D) Self-esteem has to do with one's confidence and self-satisfaction.

Question 61

Type A individuals said to have a "toxic core" and an increased risk of heart disease consistently exhibit which characteristic?

A) Perfectionism
B) Hostility
C) Ambition
D) Extroversion

Question 62

The physiological arousal response that allows us to face or escape from real or perceived threats is the

A) fight-or-flight response.
B) adaptive response.
C) resistance response.
D) cardiac response.

Question 63

You really want to buy a new home theater system, but your credit cards are maxed out and the rent is due next week. Which type of stressor is this?

A) Pressure
B) Change
C) Conflict
D) Hassle

Question 64

You have to make a college choice by the end of the month, and you have been accepted by three schools. Your parents want you to go to the same state university that they attended, but you are more interested in a small, private college known for their excellent drama department. Which type of stressor is this?

A) Pressure
B) Change
C) Conflict
D) Hassle

Question 65

As part of the stress response, the hormone that makes stored nutrients available for energy is

A) epinephrine.
B) cortisol.
C) testosterone.
D) thyroxine.

Question 66

You have learned how to intentionally slow your heart rate to calm yourself during an exam. Which method are you using to manage stress?

A) Meditation
B) Downshifting
C) Biofeedback
D) Stress inoculation

Question 67

You are moving into your first apartment. Which type of stressor is this?

A) Pressure
B) Change
C) Conflict
D) Hassle

Question 68

After Julia discovered that her spouse was cheating on her, she decides how she will confront him about it. Which stage of the general adaptation syndrome applies to this situation?

A) Alarm
B) Resistance
C) Exhaustion
D) Denial

Question 69

You complete weekly practice tests for three months before you are scheduled to take the LSAT. Which method are you using to manage stress?

A) Meditation
B) Downshifting
C) Biofeedback
D) Stress inoculation

Question 70

Which of the following has been recommended by experts in positive psychology as a method for managing stress and increasing happiness?

A) Engaging in demanding or competitive physical activity
B) Taking time to keep a daily gratitude journal
C) Trusting that relationships will simply work themselves out
D) Using mind-altering drugs to have a transcendental experience

Question 71

Julia becomes extremely upset when she discovers that her spouse is cheating on her when she reads a suggestive e-mail he sent to another woman. Which stage of the general adaptation syndrome applies to this situation?

A) Alarm
B) Resistance
C) Exhaustion
D) Denial

Question 72

You have been a successful doctor of internal medicine for many years. You recently gave up your large practice in the city to join the staff of a small-town clinic where you will work four days a week. Which method are you using to manage stress?

A) Meditation
B) Downshifting
C) Biofeedback
D) Stress inoculation

Question 73

A gland that secretes cortisol is a(n)

A) adrenal gland.
B) pituitary gland.
C) thyroid gland.
D) thymus.

Question 74

You are focusing on an image of billowing, white clouds while breathing in a slow, controlled manner. Which method are you using to manage stress?

A) Meditation
B) Downshifting
C) Biofeedback
D) Stress inoculation

Question 75

As part of the stress response, the hormone that stimulates the body to prepare for action is

A) epinephrine.
B) cortisol.
C) testosterone.
D) thyroxine.

Question 76

You've misplaced your cell phone and you're already late for class. Which type of stressor is this?

A) Pressure
B) Change
C) Conflict
D) Hassle

Question 77

Your roommate just ate the last of your trail mix without asking. Which type of stressor is this?

A) Pressure
B) Change
C) Conflict
D) Hassle

Question 78

The gland that secretes ACTH is the

A) adrenal.
B) pituitary.
C) thyroid.
D) thymus.

Question 79

The part of the brain involved in controlling the body's overall reaction to stress is the

A) pituitary gland.
B) cerebral cortex.
C) frontal lobe.
D) hypothalamus.

Question 80

Julia discovered that her spouse was cheating on her, and she confronted him about it. After days of arguments, he has moved out. By the end of the week, all she can do is cry herself to sleep. Which stage of the general adaptation syndrome applies to this situation?

A) Alarm
B) Resistance
C) Exhaustion
D) Denial