Week 1: What is Stress?

Question 1

allostatic load

Answer 1

The cumulative biological wear and tear that results from responses to stress that seek to maintain body equilibrium.

Question 2

autogenic training

Answer 2

A relaxation technique that involves a sensation of heaviness, warmth, and tingling in the limbs.

Question 3

bracing

Answer 3

The contraction of muscles for no obvious purpose.

Question 4

distress

Answer 4

Bad things to which one has to adapt and that can lead to a stress reaction.

Question 5

eustress

Answer 5

Good things to which one has to adapt and that can lead to a stress reaction.

Question 6

fight-or-flight response

Answer 6

The body’s stress reaction that includes an increase in heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol.

Question 7

general adaptation syndrome

Answer 7

The three stages of stress reaction described by Hans Selye.

Question 8

neuromuscular relaxation

Answer 8

Another term for progressive relaxation.

Question 9

progressive relaxation

Answer 9

A relaxation technique that involves contracting and relaxing muscle groups throughout the body.

Question 10

relaxation response

Answer 10

A series of bodily changes that are the opposite of the stress reaction.

Question 11

strain

Answer 11

The physical, psychological, and behavioral outcomes of stress reactivity.

Question 12

stressor

Answer 12

Something with the potential to cause a stress reaction.

Question 13

stress

Answer 13

The combination of a stressor, stress reactivity, and strain.

Question 14

True/False: Stress can be useful, stimulating, and welcome.

Answer 14

True

Question 15

Eustress is defined as:

Answer 15

the good things to which we have to adapt and that can lead to a stress reaction.

Question 16

Some researchers have found that the relationship between stress and illness can be plotted on a(n):

Answer 16

U shaped curve

Question 17

True/False: Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe showed that the more significant the changes in someone’s life, the greater the chance of the onset of illness.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

Use of time and purpose in life are examples of _____ stressors.

Answer 18

philosophical

Question 19

The fight-or-flight response is termed:

Answer 19

stress reactivity

Question 20

True/False: The longer our physiology varies from its baseline measures and the greater the variance from that baseline, the more likely we are to experience ill effects from this stress reactivity.

Answer 20

true

Question 21

True/False: Men and women generally tend to respond to stress in very similar ways.

Answer 21

False

Question 22

Toxins, heat, and cold are examples of _____ stressors.

Answer 22

environmental

Question 23

Which of the following lists the three phases of the general adaptation syndrome in the order of their occurrence?

Answer 23

Alarm reaction, stage of resistance, and stage of exhaustion

Question 24

According to the _____ theory developed by Kobasa and her colleagues, less stress will result if you perceive potentially stressful events as a challenge instead of a threat.

Answer 24

hardiness

Question 25

Identify a feature of the second stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

Answer 25

The bodily signs characteristic of the alarm reaction virtually disappear, and resistance rises above normal.

Question 26

What is an example of a behavioral strain?

Answer 26

Alcohol Abuse

Question 27

True/False: A stressor will always elicit a stress reaction and strain.

Answer 27

False

Question 28

The body’s stress reaction that includes an increase in heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol is known as the:

Answer 28

fight-or-flight response.