PSY 201 Chapter 16 Practice Questions

Which statement is FALSE? You can adjust your lifestyle to cope with stress. Stressful events can occur at any stage in life. A healthy lifestyle has no relation to stress levels. Everyone experiences stress.

A healthy lifestyle has no relation to stress levels.

Beth, while riding her bicycle down a city street, was nearly knocked into traffic by the abrupt opening of a parked car door. What did her hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis do in response to the perceived stressor? The hypothalamus communicated with the adrenal glands, which told the pituitary gland to release testosterone into the bloodstream. The hypothalamus communicated with the pituitary gland, which told the adrenal glands to release cortisol into the bloodstream. The hypothalamus communicated with the pituitary gland, which told the adrenal glands to release norepinephrine into the bloodstream. The hypothalamus communicated with the adrenal glands, which told the pituitary gland to release adrenaline into the bloodstream.

The hypothalamus communicated with the pituitary gland, which told the adrenal glands to release cortisol into the bloodstream.

Who appears to be in the resistance stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome? Henry, who has been caring for his disabled wife for over two years, and is having feelings of hopelessness and difficulties sleeping and eating Esther, who has just noticed the man she has long admired from afar is walking straight towards her at a party, and feels her heart pound and hands become sweaty Alana, who has been juggling her classes, job, and partial care of her younger siblings, and has recently made an unusually poor choice of a boyfriend Jorge, who had a near miss as he merged onto the highway and is breathing rapidly, but feels very alert and focused

Alana, who has been juggling her classes, job, and partial care of her younger siblings, and has recently made an unusually poor choice of a boyfriend

Based on a meta-analysis of almost 300 studies and about 20,000 participants by Segerstrom & Miller (2004), who is most likely to suffer the greatest suppression of his or her immune system? Edith, who is very stressed that she has not yet lost enough weight to fit into her wedding dress Andrew, whose wife fell in love with his best friend and initiated divorce proceedings Santiago, who is trying to find a rental car for a reasonable price for his business trip Charlotte, who worries about how she is going to get all her class exams and papers graded by the posting deadline

Andrew, whose wife fell in love with his best friend and initiated divorce proceedings

Which of the following teenagers appears to have the lowest risk for alcohol abuse? Tommy, whose parents are not terribly concerned with what he does, and often neglect to monitor his behaviors Maya, whose father and grandfather both suffered from alcohol-related problems Audrey, who attends a party when she is a junior in high school and, at that party, sees some kids she doesn't know very well sneaking a drink from the liquor cabinet Julian, who has his first drink at the age of 9 while "fooling around" with his friends

Audrey, who attends a party when she is a junior in high school and, at that party, sees some kids she doesn't know very well sneaking a drink from the liquor cabinet

People who take life in a laid-back fashion, focusing on being mellow rather than urgent, have a type ____ personality. D B C A

B

Hailey plans a family reunion at the lake and wants it to be perfect. With over fifty people attending, though, things do not go exactly according to plan and Hailey is highly stressed all day. Which of the following would most help Hailey reduce her stress levels for future events? Delegate the responsibilities. Be flexible with new situations. Prepare a schedule for all guests. Avoid commitments of this type.

Be flexible with new situations.

Which expression best illustrates the idiosyncratic nature of stress? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. A penny saved is a penny earned.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Ben constantly feels overwhelmed and unhappy. Which is the best option for Ben to reduce his stress levels? Give up his social life. Consider his priorities and determine stressors that he no longer needs in his life. Add extra activities to his schedule to serve as distractions. Binge watch movies and try to ignore his stress.

Consider his priorities and determine stressors that he no longer needs in his life.

George has gone into a deep depression after the death of his wife, for whom he had provided daily care for over two years after her first stroke. What role might cortisol play? Over-response of the hippocampus may have led to reduced cortisol in the bloodstream, which is associated with depression. Under-response of the hippocampus may have led to reduced cortisol in the bloodstream, which is associated with depression. Consistently elevated levels of cortisol due to stress can overwhelm the hippocampus's feedback loop and lead to excess levels of cortisol in the bloodstream, which is associated with depression. Erratic levels of cortisol due to stress can disrupt the hippocampus's feedback loop and lead to erratic levels of cortisol in the bloodstream, which is associated with manic depression.

Consistently elevated levels of cortisol due to stress can overwhelm the hippocampus's feedback loop and lead to excess levels of cortisol in the bloodstream, which is associated with depression.

Who is likely to have the greatest increase in risk of heart disease? Sarah, a Type B personality who never gets her work done on time William, a Type B personality who spends much of the work day chatting with his colleagues Fred, a Type A personality who is resentful and suspicious of his co-workers Carmen, a Type A personality who works close to 80 hours a week

Fred, a Type A personality who is resentful and suspicious of his co-workers

What is the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)? Hans Selye's three-stage model for an organism's response to stressors B. B. Skinner's three-stage model for learned behaviors through operant conditioning Walter Cannon's three-stage model for homeostasis Albert Bandura's three-stage model for the development of aggression in children

Hans Selye's three-stage model for an organism's response to stressors

Caleb feels very discouraged upon learning that he had been cut from the varsity football team and now will play with the junior varsity. Which of the following would be the most positive emotion-focused coping response? He punches a wall. He reduces his sadness by joining a volunteer organization with some of his friends. He yells at the coaches to get his thoughts off his chest. He has several beers with his friends who do not play football.

He reduces his sadness by joining a volunteer organization with some of his friends.

Carson has been very stressed while pulling numerous all-nighters to complete his final exams and papers. He comes down with the flu the very next day after his last exam. What is a likely reason for his illness? His anxiety level was not severe enough to trigger his lymphocytes. His anxiety level was too severe to trigger his lymphocytes. His stress hormones activated his lymphocytes. His stress hormones suppressed the activity of his lymphocytes.

His stress hormones suppressed the activity of his lymphocytes.

How does stress affect the cardiovascular system? It causes the blood vessels to stiffen over time. It causes blood pressure to drop, which can lead to heart attacks or stroke. It increases internal deposits that clog the arteries. It decreases the ability of the blood vessels to expand when necessary.

It decreases the ability of the blood vessels to expand when necessary.

Poverty, discrimination, and violence are among the possible variables that account for increased mental health problems among minorities in the United States. Which of the following statements is true in this regard? Minorities generally have lower rates of stress-related health problems and disorders than non-minorities because of the trait of hardiness. People living in poverty generally have adequate access to mental health services. Mental health researchers have focused almost exclusively on the experiences of minorities. People living at the lowest levels of the socioeconomic scale experience two to three times greater rates of psychological disorder.

People living at the lowest levels of the socioeconomic scale experience two to three times greater rates of psychological disorder.

What do psychologists identify as the difference between a job and a career? a job pays the bills, while a career provides status and achievement a job is short-term, while a career is long-term a career is short-term, while a job is long-term a career pays the bills, while a job provides status and achievement

a job pays the bills, while a career provides status and achievement

Mitch has just found out that he will have three tests on the same day. His heart is racing, and he is experiencing a shortness of breath and feels a little sick to his stomach. Mitch is exhibiting signs of which stage of the general adaptation syndrome? alarm reaction defensive reaction stage of resistance stage of activation

alarm reaction

There are many interactions among the variables of stress, sleep, nutrition, smoking, alcohol use, and exercise. Which of these behaviors are affected by our social context? all of these smoking and alcohol use none of these nutrition and exercise

all of these

Good health-promoting behaviors include all of these. not consuming more than two alcoholic drinks per day. not smoking cigarettes. providing for periods of relaxation every day.

all of these.

Susceptibility to accidents and illness follows excessive use of defense mechanisms. any major change, whether positive or negative. those events whose impact is merely psychological. disaster and death but not positive events.

any major change, whether positive or negative.

If you are excited about hosting a party but your friend is extremely anxious about it, this difference is most likely due to antagonism. appraisals. conflicts. hassles.

appraisals.

A diathesis-stress model proposes that stress may contribute to a variety of psychological disorders, including all but which of the following? PTSD schizophrenia autism spectrum disorder major depressive disorder

autism spectrum disorder

The ______ model sees health as a result of social, psychological, and biological factors. integrated biopsychosocial biological psychodynamic

biopsychosocial

Stella, who notices that a man is walking behind her as she returns to her dormitory at night, quickly assesses the situation to determine if there might be any danger. She realizes with relief that it is someone she knows from class. She is using a(n) ____. cognitive appraisal model emotion-based appraisal model introspective appraisal model standard appraisal model

cognitive appraisal model

To attend medical school, June must be separated from her future husband for at least the first year. Her difficulty in deciding whether or not to attend reflects sublimation. frustration. displacement. conflict.

conflict

People are particularly prone to stress when they cannot, or think they cannot grieve enough following death or disaster. predict the future. control their immediate environments. decide if situations are threatening or not.

control their immediate environments.

The basis for the relationship between stress and depressed mood may be mediated by fluctuations in the levels of ________ in the blood. dopamine norepinephrine acetycholine cortisol

cortisol

Exercising for stress management is most effective when it is done three times a week for at least one hour each time. daily for as little as 30 minutes a day, even in 10 to 20-minute sessions. on weekends and only when you are relaxed. daily for at least one to two hours, with any less being ineffective.

daily for as little as 30 minutes a day, even in 10 to 20-minute sessions.

Whitney found out that the job he applied for was offered to someone else. In order to cope he tells himself that he did not really want that job anyway. This coping strategy is called problem-focused coping. emotion-focused coping. secondary management. primary survival.

emotion-focused coping.

Deborah has been under heavy pressure at work for the past few weeks and it has drained her body of all its resources. If the stressor continues, she will soon enter the _______________ stage. exhaustion fight or flight resistance alarm

exhaustion

What is the last stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome? exhaustion alarm reaction resistance heightened confusion

exhaustion

Billie Joe has been going through a divorce over the past two years. She is experiencing insomnia, backaches, and indigestion. According to Selye, Billie Joe is most likely in the primary appraisal phase. alarm reaction phase. resistance phase. exhaustion phase.

exhaustion phase.

The alarm reaction, the stage of resistance, and the stage of exhaustion are the three stages of the Cannon-Bard theory. Yerkes-Dodson law. expectancy value theory. general adaptation syndrome.

general adaptation syndrome.

Which of the following tend to be hardy individuals, who see setbacks as challenges, are strengthened by losses, and find humor in disappointments? happy people naive people arrogant people immature people

happy people

Which of the following would serve as the best buffer to cushion you against the impact of stressful events? being intelligent being able to ignore and deny problems having the support from family and friends being realistic

having the support from family and friends

Which of the following is a powerful antidote to depression and helplessness and is found by many people through religion, nature, human companionship, and even technology? intellectualization sublimation hope invincibility

hope

The major factor that determines which type of coping we use is whether or not the situation is threatening. our current level of anxiety. how much control we have over the situation. how much frustration we have due to the situation.

how much control we have over the situation.

If you attend a lecture on the general adaptation syndrome, you can expect to learn about ways of doing therapy. how the body reacts to stress. a type of mental illness. a theory describing stages of development.

how the body reacts to stress.

Once the amygdala has identified a stimulus as potentially dangerous, it communicates with the ____. hypothalamus hippocampus adrenal glands cerebral cortex

hypothalamus

Periods of stress are frequently followed by periods of no stress. periods of more intense stress. good health. illness.

illness.

Very short-term bursts of stress can have a beneficial effect on many biological systems, including the _____ system, which is your body's frontline defense against infection and cancer. respiratory circulatory nervous immune

immune

Resilience can lead to growth following a traumatic experience. Among the positive changes associated with posttraumatic growth is a(n) ____. decreased sense of self-efficacy decreased need to rely on family and friends increased compassion for others increased appreciation of the material aspects of life

increased compassion for others

A century ago, people primarily died from malnutrition. suicide and war. infectious diseases and accidents. lifestyle diseases.

infectious diseases and accidents.

Micah is outside shoveling 10 inches of snow on a 4 degree day. Even though he is bundled up for the cold, he is still freezing and exhausted. According to Walter Cannon, which physiological response will he have to this stress? inhibition of his digestive functions lowering of blood pressure dilation of the pupils of his eyes reduction in heart rate

inhibition of his digestive functions

The old phrase "the straw that broke the camel's back" is an example of how frustration can be increased due to the emotion it precipitates. its strength. its repetition. its urgency.

its repetition.

A stressful sense of threat is likely to occur when people not only perceive that they lack control over the situation but also have a perceived sense of displacement. lack of competence. need to change secondary risk factors. state of sublimation.

lack of competence.

Burnout would most likely occur in which of the following occupations? law enforcement architecture professional football fashion design

law enforcement

As preschoolers, the children born to the women who were diagnosed with both PTSD and depression following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center showed evidence of higher reactivity to stimuli and more aggressive behavior than did children of terrorism-exposed mothers who did not develop these disorders. What is the likely source? learned behaviors based on the observation of PTSD symptoms in others operant conditioning that rewarded such behaviors among these families the ability of cortisol and other stress hormones to cross the placenta the inhibition of serotonin and dopamine during brain development

learned behaviors based on the observation of PTSD symptoms in others

A child who has repeatedly experienced failure in school may eventually give up trying. Psychologists label this learned helplessness. dissociation. reaction formation. self-efficacy.

learned helplessness.

Martin Seligman studied the case of a young marine who was being held prisoner during the Vietnam War. When the marine was not released on the date promised, he immediately lapsed into a deep depression, refused to eat or drink, and died shortly after. According to Seligman, this case illustrated the concept of approach-avoidance conflict. reaction formation. learned helplessness. sublimation.

learned helplessness.

Heart disease, stroke, HIV/AIDS, and lung cancer often result from health-damaging personal habits and are examples of lifestyle diseases. factious disorders. dissociative disorders. traumatic stress diseases.

lifestyle diseases.

Which of these stressors is associated with the highest likelihood of developing posttraumatic stress disorder? seeing someone injured or dead sexual assault the unexpected death of someone close military combat

military combat

The Holmes and Rahe scales have been used to predict vulnerability to physical illness and psychological disorder due to different stressors that are ____. the result of the actions of others natural and political disasters negative life events negative and positive changes in life

negative and positive changes in life

Elizabeth's boss removes her from a project team working on an important presentation because of repeated tardiness. Elizabeth schedules a meeting to discuss with him why it was difficult for her to get to meetings on time. He agrees to schedule the meetings at times that coincide with her bus schedule. This is an example of ____. positive problem-focused coping negative relationship-focused coping positive relationship-focused coping negative problem-focused coping

negative problem-focused coping

Elizabeth's boss removes her from a project team working on an important presentation because of repeated tardiness. Her response is to leave the office immediately and drown her sorrows by eating a pint of her favorite ice cream. This is an example of ____. positive problem-focused coping positive relationship-focused coping negative problem-focused coping negative relationship-focused coping

negative problem-focused coping

During the final weeks of the college semester, Mee Jung has barely managed to survive the rush of make-or-break term papers, projects, and classroom presentations and then endures a week stress, pressure, and frustration during final exams. What should Mee Jung expect? periods of intense stress to be frequently followed by illness. a period of no stress but excessive boredom to occur. more periods of intense stress during the summer because of her Type A personality. none of these occurrences, since periods of stress and illness are unpredictable.

periods of intense stress to be frequently followed by illness.

While hiking with a friend in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, Lenny comes face-to-face with a young bear on the trail. Lenny rapidly enters the first stage of Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome. His brainstem initiates the release of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which increases his vigilance and fear. This is part of his ____. emotional response physical response cognitive response behavioral response

physical response

During the year preceding his parents' divorce, Kevin found himself frequently arguing with his father. Now when he visits his father, Kevin tries to engage him in conversations about their favorite sports teams. This is an example of ____. positive problem-focused coping negative relationship-focused coping positive relationship-focused coping negative problem-focused coping

positive relationship-focused coping

Which of the following is a psychological state that occurs when events appear to be uncontrollable? reaction formation passive aggressiveness learned helplessness avoidance-avoidance conflict

reaction formation

To prevent disease, health psychologists first try to use quarantines to alleviate the threat to healthy individuals. remove behavioral risk factors. use maintenance doses of medication. compensate for genetic predispositions.

remove behavioral risk factors.

Which of the following is NOT one of the stages of the general adaptation syndrome? alarm reaction stage of resistance stage of exhaustion stage of resolution

stage of resolution

If you miss getting an "A" by only one point, your frustration will be more intense because the goal was near. you believe a mistake has been made. this incident has happened before. you are experienced an approach-avoidance conflict.

the goal was near.

Stress is defined as an unpleasant emotional state that results from ____. overstimulation of the hippocampus exposure to an evolutionary trigger the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin the perception of danger

the perception of danger

What is a critical factor in people's happiness that is consistent with the text's emphasis on social context? the power of genetic predisposition the interaction of nature and nurture the importance of critical thinking the strength of interpersonal relationships

the strength of interpersonal relationships

If people have support from others and the skills needed to cope with challenge, then their emotions will tend to be suppressed and not expressed outwardly. they are more likely to see themselves passively as victims of circumstances. their "negative" experiences can actually enhance personal growth. they are more likely to seek and accept easy comfort, security, and routine.

they are more likely to seek and accept easy comfort, security, and routine.

Which positive outcome has been seen when people working in groups are subjected to some level of stress? they become more prosocial they opt to break up the group and work independently they become more creative they engage in a higher level of groupthink

they become more prosocial

Which personality trait found in Type A individuals is most predictive of heart disease? fear urgency hostility ambitiousness

urgency

According to Taylor, which group of individuals would be the most likely to respond to a stressful situation with a "tend and befriend" response? children women adolescents men

women

Which form of exercise appears to be especially helpful in stress management? gardening yoga weight training regular aerobic exercise

yoga