pyco 3 Flashcards
Q1. According to the text, which definition of stress most accurately reflects the contemporary psychological understanding of the concept?
A) A negative emotional state characterized by frustration and anger
B) Any demanding or threatening event in one’s environment
C) A process whereby an individual perceives and responds to events appraised as overwhelming or threatening
D) The physiological response pattern characterized by increased heart rate and blood pressure
C) A process whereby an individual perceives and responds to events appraised as overwhelming or threatening
Q2. What is the primary distinction between eustress and distress?
A) Eustress is caused by positive events while distress is caused by negative events
B) Eustress is motivating and associated with positive feelings while distress leads to burnout
C) Eustress affects psychological health while distress affects physical health
D) Eustress is short-term while distress is always chronic
B) Eustress is motivating and associated with positive feelings while distress leads to burnout
Q3. In the cognitive appraisal model of stress, what distinguishes primary from secondary appraisal?
A) Primary appraisal occurs first, while secondary appraisal occurs after the stressful event has ended
B) Primary appraisal involves judging the degree of threat, while secondary appraisal involves evaluating coping options
C) Primary appraisal is conscious, while secondary appraisal is unconscious
D) Primary appraisal relates to physical threats, while secondary appraisal relates to psychological threats
B) Primary appraisal involves judging the degree of threat, while secondary appraisal involves evaluating coping options
Q4. According to research on stress prevalence cited in the chapter, which demographic group reported the lowest levels of stress?
A) College students
B) Full-time employees
C) Unemployed individuals
D) Retired persons
C) Unemployed individuals
Q5. Health psychology is primarily concerned with:
A) Treating psychological disorders in medical settings
B) Understanding psychological influences on health and illness
C) Developing medications for stress-related disorders
D) Training healthcare professionals in psychological techniques
B) Understanding psychological influences on health and illness
Q7. What physiological system did Walter Cannon first identify as responding to stress?
A) Endocrine system
B) Sympathetic nervous system
C) Parasympathetic nervous system
D) Immune system
B) Sympathetic nervous system
Q6. During the 2008-2009 economic downturn, which demographic group showed the greatest increase in stress levels?
A) Women
B) Men
C) Non-white populations
D) People under age 45
A) Women
Q8. During which stage of Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome does the body begin to exhaust its physical resources?
A) Alarm reaction
B) Stage of resistance
C) Stage of exhaustion
D) Stage of recovery
C) Stage of exhaustion
Q9. What role does the hypothalamus play in the body’s stress response?
A) It releases cortisol directly into the bloodstream
B) It releases corticotrophin-releasing factor that activates the pituitary gland
C) It stimulates the adrenal glands to release adrenaline
D) It suppresses immune system functioning
B) It releases corticotrophin-releasing factor that activates the pituitary gland
Q10. What is the primary function of cortisol in the stress response?
A) To trigger the fight-or-flight response
B) To provide a boost of energy when encountering a stressor
C) To suppress the immune system under all conditions
D) To activate the parasympathetic nervous system
B) To provide a boost of energy when encountering a stressor
Q11. Which type of stressor is defined as persisting over an extended period of time?
A) Acute stressor
B) Chronic stressor
C) Traumatic stressor
D) Daily hassle
B) Chronic stressor
Q12. What psychological disorder is specifically associated with exposure to traumatic events?
A) Generalized anxiety disorder
B) Major depressive disorder
C) Post-traumatic stress disorder
D) Panic disorder
C) Post-traumatic stress disorder
Q13. On the Social Readjustment Rating Scale developed by Holmes and Rahe, which life event was ranked as requiring the most readjustment?
A) Divorce
B) Death of a spouse
C) Personal injury or illness
D) Being fired from work
B) Death of a spouse
Q14. Research suggests that which of the following is a better predictor of physical and psychological health than major life changes?
A) Frequency of daily hassles
B) Childhood trauma
C) Genetic predisposition
D) Personality type
A) Frequency of daily hassles
Q15. Job burnout is characterized by:
A) Physical exhaustion only
B) Emotional exhaustion and cynicism related to one’s job
C) Occasional workplace stress
D) Conflict with coworkers and supervisors
B) Emotional exhaustion and cynicism related to one’s job
Q16. Psychophysiological disorders are defined as:
A) Psychological disorders with physical symptoms
B) Physical disorders whose symptoms are worsened by psychological factors
C) Disorders that exist only in the patient’s mind
D) Disorders that require both medical and psychological treatment
B) Physical disorders whose symptoms are worsened by psychological factors
Q17. In Cohen’s study on stress and immune function, participants who reported experiencing chronic stressors for more than one month were:
A) Less likely to develop colds when exposed to the virus
B) More likely develop colds when exposed to the virus
C) No more likely to develop colds than those without chronic stress
D) More likely to develop fever but not cold symptoms
B) More likely develop colds when exposed to the virus
Q18. Research on telomeres suggests that stress:
A) Lengthens telomeres, promoting cell division
B) Has no effect on telomere length
C) Shortens telomeres, potentially accelerating aging
D) Causes telomeres to multiply, increasing cancer risk
C) Shortens telomeres, potentially accelerating aging
Q19. Hypertension is a significant risk factor for heart disease because it:
A) Reduces blood flow to the heart
B) Forces the heart to pump harder, straining it
C) Causes immediate damage to heart tissue
D) Leads to blood clot formation in the coronary arteries
B) Forces the heart to pump harder, straining it
Q20. According to Friedman and Rosenman’s research, the Type A personality is characterized by:
A) Relaxed attitude and patience
B) Competitiveness, impatience, and hostility
C) Introversion and social anxiety
D) Passivity and indecisiveness
B) Competitiveness, impatience, and hostility
Q21. According to the transactional model of hostility, how does a hostile disposition influence cardiovascular outcomes?
A) By directly causing arterial inflammation
B) By promoting cycle of antagonistic behavior and negative reactions from others
C) By increasing genetic predisposition to heart disease
D) By decreasing medication adherence
B) By promoting cycle of antagonistic behavior and negative reactions from others
Q22. Research on depression and heart disease suggests:
A) There is no relationship between depression and heart disease
B) Depression causes heart disease through direct physiological mechanisms
C) Depression may increase likelihood of unhealthy lifestyle factors related to heart disease
D) Heart disease causes depression but not vice versa
C) Depression may increase likelihood of unhealthy lifestyle factors related to heart disease
Q23. Psychological factors play an important role in asthma because:
A) Asthma exists only in the patient’s mind
B) People with asthma often experience asthma-like symptoms when they expect to have them
C) Psychological factors are more important than physical factors in asthma
D) Asthma medication works by altering psychological states
B) People with asthma often experience asthma-like symptoms when they expect to have them
Q24. Problem-focused coping differs from emotion-focused coping in that problem-focused coping:
A) Aims to change or regulate emotions associated with stress
B) Is always more effective than emotion-focused coping
C) Attempts to manage or alter the problem causing stress
D) Is used primarily for uncontrollable stressors
C) Attempts to manage or alter the problem causing stress
