Coping with Stress

Which of the following would be considered a calming thought?

"Stop and think. Breathe easy."

intellectualization

A coping mechanism in which the person analyzes a situation from an emotionally detached viewpoint.

denial

A defense mechanism in which the individual refuses to admit that a problem exists. a coping mechanism in which a person decides that the event is not really a stressor

biofeedback

A system for monitoring and feeding back information about certain biological processes, such as blood pressure. the process of learning to control bodily states by monitoring the states to be controlled

meditation

A systematic narrowing of attention that slows the metabolism and helps produce feelings of relaxation.

List and explain four of the active coping strategies discussed in the lecture and readings.

Active coping strategies include hardiness, controlling stressful situations, problem solving, explanatory style, relaxation, biofeedback, humor, exercise, support groups, professional help, training, and improving interpersonal skills. Students should give a one-sentence explanation for four of these strategies.

progressive relaxation

An exercise performed by lying down comfortably and tensing and releasing the tension in each major muscle group in turn. lying down comfortably and tensing and releasing the tension in each major muscle group in turn

cognitive appraisal

The interpretation of an event that helps determine its stress impact.

A person who suffers a traumatic loss but insists that they are not affected by the situation may be dealing with their stress through denial.

True

Cognitive appraisal depends on the analysis of the situation and reaction to the situation.

True

Coping with stress is an attempt to gain control over part of one's life.

True

Defensive coping strategies do not deal with a stressful event effectively.

True

What are two relaxation techniques that can be used for coping with stress? How do they work?

Two techniques are progressive relaxation and meditation. Progressive relaxation reduces muscle tension and relaxes the mind as the body is relaxed. Meditation is focused thinking that creates a state similar to Stage I sleep and relieves both physical and psychological stress.

How do people use denial and intellectualization to cope with stress?

When people use denial they refuse to acknowledge the existence of the stress-causing situation. People use intellectualization to create an emotional detachment between themselves and the situation.

Sherry is not enjoying herself at a party, she makes the decision to leave. She is using which active coping strategy?

controlling stressful situations

All of the following are examples of active coping strategies except __________.

denial

Which of the following are defensive coping strategies?

denial & intellectualization

A(n) _______ tends to put the best face on any set of events.

optimist

After the loss of a soccer game, David reported to the newspaper, "What is done is done. Start thinking about next week!" He has a(an) __________ explanatory style.

optimistic

A(n) ________ tends to see the dark side of a situation.

pessimist

Identification: Write a brief description or explanation of the following term. biofeedback

process of learning to control bodily states by monitoring the states to be controlled

Alcoholics Anonymous, Weight Watchers, and crisis prevention centers are all examples of __________ and help in stressful situations.

support groups

Identification: Write a brief description or explanation of the following term. cognitive appraisal

the interpretation of an event that helps determine its stress impact