Chapter 12 Psychology Review

Psychoneuroimmunology

field of study that investigates the connections among psychology (behaviors, thoughts, emotions), the nervous system, and immune system functioning

emotion focused

It is common for young children to react to the birth of a sibling by regressing to earlier behaviors such as sucking their thumb again or wanting to feed from a bottle. Such behaviors exemplify ___ coping skills.

cognitive reappraisal

an active and conscious process in which we alter our interpretation of a stressful event

secondary appraisal

an evaluation of resources available to cope with a stressor

stress

any event or environmental stimulus (stressor) that we respond to because we perceive it as challenging or threatening

emotion-focused coping

behaviors aimed at controlling the internal emotional reactions to a stressor

problem-focused coping

behaviors that aim to control or alter the environment that is causing stress

health promoting behaviors

behaviors that decrease the chance of illness, disease, or death

health-defeating behaviors

behaviors that increase the chance of illness, disease, or death

life events

changes in one's life, good or bad, that requires readjustment

hardiness

After working on a project for more than 3 years, Zilmarie is told by her boss to redesign the project in a new way. Zilmarie considers such a task a challenge and commits herself to the new project with gusto. Zilmarie is probably high on which personality dimension?

made a primary appraisal

Eniesha was shopping at the mall when she heard a person yelling angrily close by. Eniesha turned around to see who was yelling and saw that two adults were arguing. So Eniesha went back to her shopping. In psychological terms, Eniesha just ____.

daily hassle

Getting stuck in traffic on your way to a job interview is an example of a.

reduction in the activity of the body's immune system

Immunosuppression refers to ___

secondary appraisal

In the context of stress assessment, an evaluation of the resources available to cope with a stressor occurs during _____.

The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to release endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.

In the context of the general adaptation syndrome, which of the following changes occurs during the initial alarm reaction?

The immune system experiences a reduction in its efficiency.

In the context of the general adaptation syndrome, which of the following is a characteristic of the exhaustion stage?

The body's resources begin to dwindle.

In the context of the general adaptation syndrome, which of the following is a characteristic of the resistance stage?

an approach-approach conflict

Malena is looking forward to visiting her grandparents during Thanksgiving. However, she learns that her colleagues are planning to go on a road trip around the same time. Malena needs to choose between the two plans and is stressed out. This scenario best exemplifies

problem-focused

Organizing your time better would be best classified as a(n)coping skill.

gonorrhea

Pedro has experienced an intense, burning sensation during urination and a thick, yellowish penile discharge. Pedro most likely has which STI?

avoidance-avoidance conflict

Sean, a high schooler, needs to complete his school assignment that is due in a day. His parents have asked him to babysit his brother, who is a troublemaker. Sean can either choose to stay back at school and complete his assignment or come back home and take care of his baby brother. Sean's situation best illustrates a(n)

Tend-and-Befriend; Oxytocin

The stress response experienced by women may be better characterized as, primarily due to the hormone called ___.

immunosuppression

The corticosteroids and endorphins that are released into the human body during stress response actually reduce and dampen the activity of the immune system. This effect is referred to as _____.

guided imagery

a technique in which you focus on a pleasant, calming image to achieve a state of relaxation when you feel stressed

death of a spouse

Which of the following does the Social Readjustment Rating Scale consider the most stressful major life event for adults?

A person is faced with a desire or need that has both positive and negative qualities.

Which of the following is a characteristic of an approach-avoidance conflict?

Multiple approach-avoidance conflicts

Which of the following is defined as situations that involve several choices, each of which has positive and negative features?

Relying exclusively on one defense mechanism for coping

Which of the following is not a health-promoting behavior?

defense mechanism

Which of the following is the least effective stress management technique?

learned helplessness

Which of the following personality factors has been strongly linked to depression and other stress problems?

resilience

Which of the following refers to the capacity to adapt well to significant stressors?

Income level has only a modest correlation with happiness.

Which one of the following statements is true?

major life events

You are a researcher testing the effect of stress as measured by major life events on one's health as measured by the number of times a person gets sick during a 12-month period. In this scenario, the independent variable is the:

exhaustion

You are more vulnerable to illness during which stage of Selye's stress response model?

avoidance-avoidance conflict

You go to the dentist and find out that you have to get a tooth extracted. The only time the dentist can schedule your appointment is at the same time as a traffic court appointment. This situation is an example of a(n).

learned helplessness

a passive response to stressors based on exposure to previously uncontrolled, negative events

Type D personality

a personality characterized by negative emotions and social inhibition

type B personality

a personality characterized by patience, flexibility, and an easygoing manner

Type A personality

a personality that is aggressive, ambitious, and competitive

Type C personality

a personality that is cautious, serious, sensitive to criticism, and results oriented, and that suppresses negative emotions such as anger

hardy personality

a personality, high in the traits of commitment, control, and challenge, which appears to be associated with strong stress resistance

approach-avoidance conflict

a situation in which a person is faced with a need that has both positive and negative aspects

approach-approach conflict

a situation in which a person must choose between two likable events

conflict

a situation in which a person must choose between two or more needs, desires, or demands

avoidance-avoidance conflict

a situation in which a person must choose between two undesirable events

progressive relaxation training

a stress management technique in which a person learns how to systematically tense and relax muscle groups in the body

social support

having close and positive relationships with others

sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

infections that are passed from one person to another primarily through sexual contact

meditation

mental exercises in which people consciously focus their attention to heighten awareness and bring their mental processes under more control

primary appraisal

our initial interpretation of an event as irrelevant, positive, or stressful

multiple approach-avoidance conflict

situations that involve several choices, each of which has positive and negative features

coping

the behaviors that we engage in to manage stressors

resilience

the capacity to adapt well to significant stressors

daily hassles

the everyday irritations and frustrations that individuals face

alarm reaction

the first phase of the general adaptation syndrome, characterized by immediate activation of the nervous and endocrine systems

general adaptation syndrome (GAS)

the general physical responses we experience when faced with a stressor

HPA (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) axis

the major system that controls the stress response involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal gland

immunosuppression

the reduction in activity of the immune system

resistance stage

the second phase of the general adaptation syndrome, in which the nervous and endocrine systems continue to be activated

exhaustion stage

the third and final phase of the general adaptation syndrome, in which bodily resources are drained and wear and tear on the body begins