CH-12 Stress, Coping, and Health – Psychology: From Inquiry to Understanding : Exam Guide

Chapter 12: Stress, Coping, and Health Multiple Choice 1. Research suggests that stress-producing events are A. less likely to affect residents of rural areas or non-industrialized countries. B. more likely to affect people living in urban areas and developed countries. C. widespread among all sectors of society. D. rare and only affect a small portion of the population. Answer: C 2. The tendency to overestimate people's fragility and underestimate their resilience is known as A. primary appraisal. B. clinician's illusion. C. general adaptation syndrome. D. universality. Answer: B 3. Many psychologists and self-help books inform us that in order to cope with trauma or stressful events, we need to seek psychological assistance, despite alternate research that suggests that most individuals are surprisingly resilient. This discrepancy in beliefs about coping with trauma is referred to as _______________. A. the diathesis-stress model B. the coping-appraisal hypothesis C. emotion-focused coping D. the clinician’s illusion Answer: D 4. According to your text, which of the following individuals would have the highest risk for experiencing stressful or traumatic events? A. 56-year old Jesse, who is an Aboriginal male, married, and works as a carpenter B. 23-year old Tyson, a single male who just immigrated from Sri Lanka, and is a sales clerk at Walmart C. 34-year old Jamica, who moved to Canada from the Carribean to get married to her fiancé Carl D. 16-year old Tara, who was born in Canada, lives with her mother, and is supported by welfare Answer: B 5. _______________ is the term used to describe the physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioural responses to events that are threatening or challenging. A. Burnout B. Distress C. Eustress D. Stress Answer: D 6. _______________ consist(s) of the tension, discomfort, or physical symptoms that arise when a situation strains our ability to cope effectively. A. Anxiety B. Stimuli C. Stress D. Trauma Answer: C 7. A stressor that is so severe that it produces long-term psychological or health consequences is considered _______________. A. a hassle B. a primary appraisal C. stressful D. traumatic Answer: D 8. Researchers view stress in the following three ways: A. a stimulus, a transaction with the environment, and as a response. B. a fear, an attack, and a rage. C. a response, an apprehension, and a stimulus. D. a stimulus, uneasiness, and a response. Answer: A 9. Events that cause a stress reaction are referred to as A. distressors. B. eustressors. C. stressors. D. hassles. Answer: C 10. Research suggests that when natural disasters cause collective trauma to a community, stressful circumstances can A. increase social awareness and cement interpersonal bonds. B. lead to decreased social bonds and increased isolation. C. cause increased rates of depression and suicide. D. lead to increased interpersonal stress but decreased social stress. Answer: A 11. According to Lazarus, our first task when faced with a potential stressor is to estimate its severity and to determine whether it is a challenge or threat. This evaluation is referred to as A. primary appraisal. B. secondary appraisal. C. stress-related decision. D. hassle-related decision. Answer: A 12. Mary just received a traffic ticket but decided it is not worth being upset about. Mary just made a A. primary appraisal. B. secondary appraisal. C. stress-related decision. D. hassle-related decision. Answer: A 13. Imagine that you have just flunked a class. You evaluate this situation and decide that flunking a class is stressful and important enough to be upset about. Next you decide to repeat the class in summer school. You have made A. both a primary appraisal and a secondary appraisal. B. a primary appraisal only. C. a stress-related decision. D. a hassle-related decision. Answer: A 14. After we have decided that a certain event is a stressor, we must decide how we will deal with it and what resources are available for coping with the stressor. This process is called A. primary appraisal. B. secondary appraisal. C. stress-related decision making. D. hassle-related decision-making. Answer: B 15. When encountering a potentially threatening event, people first decide whether the event is harmful; this is known as _______________. Then, a _______________ is made about how well one can cope with that event. A. primary appraisal; secondary appraisal B. secondary appraisal; primary appraisal C. initial appraisal; general appraisal D. general appraisal; initial appraisal Answer: A 16. Which of the following is true regarding coping strategies? A. Westin engages in emotion-focused coping when he cries uncontrollably to comfort himself. B. Andrew engages in emotion-focused coping when he believes he is unable to deal with the stressful event. C. Eric engages in problem-focused coping when he faces the challenges of life head- on. D. Joe engages in problem-focused coping when he places a positive spin on his feelings and situation. Answer: C 17. Coping strategies can be either _______________ focused or _______________ focused in nature. A. physiologically; spiritually B. internally; externally C. problem-; emotion- D. distress-; eustress- Answer: C 18. Working a second job to pay off credit cards is an example of A. reappraisal. B. distraction. C. problem-focused coping. D. emotion-focused coping. Answer: C 19. Jaime applied to several graduate schools but was not accepted at any of them. He says that he is actually relieved—he really didn't want to graduate school anyway. Jaime appears to be engaging in _______________ coping. A. stress-centred B. rationally focused C. problem-focused D. emotion-focused Answer: D 20. A coping strategy that features a positive outlook on feelings or situations accompanied by behaviours that reduce painful emotions is called _______________ coping. A. stress-centred B. rationally focused C. problem-focused D. emotion-focused Answer: D 21. An emotion-focused coping strategy is one that A. identifies and modifies the source of the stress. B. reduces the stress without changing the situation. C. completely eliminates the source of the stress. D. changes how we view the source of the stress. Answer: B 22. Jessica begins to pray daily following the loss of her close friend, Tom, and praying helps her feel better. Praying is an example of _______________ coping. A. stress-centred B. rationally focused C. problem-focused D. emotion-focused Answer: D 23. An emotion-focused coping strategy is one that A. almost completely eliminates the source of the stress. B. doesn't alter emotion but changes the stressor. C. alters feelings but does not change the source of stress. D. identifies and then modifies the source of the stress. Answer: C 24. A coping strategy that helps people tolerate a stressor without doing anything to change it is a(n) _______________ strategy; one that identifies specific steps to take to identify the stressor, choose strategies to deal with it, and implement and evaluate those strategies is a _______________ strategy. A. task-oriented; defence-oriented B. psychoanalytic; behavioural C. behavioural; psychoanalytic D. emotion-focused; problem-focused Answer: D 25. Many behavioural psychologists recommend _______________ coping for dealing with stress. A. stress-centred B. rationally focused C. problem-focused D. emotion-focused Answer: C 26. Sven has developed a method for coping with his test anxiety in his college courses. His next step in his problem-focused coping strategy is to A. implement the plan. B. identify the stressor. C. evaluate the success of the implemented plan D. discuss the nature of the stressors with others. Answer: A 27. A coping strategy that involves a set of specific steps for identifying the stressor, choosing a method of stress reduction, implementing the method and evaluating its success is a(n) _______________ strategy. A. stress-centred B. rationally focused C. problem-focused D. emotion-focused Answer: C 28. Marlena's counsellor has helped her identify the specific stressors that are causing the most stress in her life, and is helping her develop a set of strategies she can use to reduce the stress she feels. The counsellor is promoting a(n) _______________ coping strategy. A. stress-centred B. rationally focused C. problem-focused D. emotion-focused Answer: C 29. An important step in a problem-focused coping strategy for dealing with stress is to A. measure the personality traits that increase our reactance. B. identify the source of unconscious conflict in early childhood. C. select a specific action that will reduce the amount of stress. D. accept that we are not the people we would like to become. Answer: C 30. Sheila believes that her own abilities rather than luck account for her successes and failures. When confronted with a stressful situation she is most likely to use a(n) _______________ coping strategy. A. passive B. defensive C. problem-focused D. emotion-focused Answer: C 31. A coping strategy that helps people tolerate a stressor without doing anything to change it, is a(n) _______________ strategy; one that identifies specific steps to take and implement strategies to deal with the stressor is a(n) _______________ strategy. A. cognitive; behavioural B. behavioural; cognitive C. emotion-focused; problem-focused D. task-oriented; defence-oriented Answer: C 32. Vanna’s mother is ill and Vanna is feeling overwhelmed and sad. To cope with this stress of her mother’s illness, Vanna has been writing her feelings down in a journal. Vanna is using _______________. A. distraction B. problem-focused coping C. emotion-focused coping D. reappraisal Answer: C 33. Edgar is learning deep-breathing techniques to reduce anxiety about having been robbed at knifepoint. This is an example of A. reappraisal. B. problem-focused coping. C. emotion-focused coping. D. avoidance. Answer: C 35. The coping method that involves changing the way you feel or emotionally react to a stressor is known as A. a defence mechanism. B. self-focused coping. C. emotion-focused coping. D. problem-focused coping. Answer: C 36. Marlon just recently lost his job as an electrician. He was very stressed about not having a job and worried about paying his bills, so he decided to sit down and figure out what he needed to do to resolve the situation. The next day, Marlon went down to the unemployment offices to look at the job boards, and sent his resume to as many places as he could that were hiring. Based on the information provided in this example, which of the following is the best example of Marlon’s behaviour? A. A primary appraisal of his situation B. Emotion-focused coping C. Problem-focused coping D. Social readjustment Answer: C 37. Julien just found out that his grandmother passed away. While he is very sad and upset that he didn’t get to see her before she passed away, he recognizes that there was nothing he would have been able to do for his grandmother and that she lived a full and happy life. Based on the information provided in this example, which of the following is the best example of Julien’s behaviour? A. A primary appraisal of his situation B. Emotion-focused coping C. Problem-focused coping D. Social readjustment Answer: B 38. _______________ are stress hormones that activate the body and prepare us to respond to stressful circumstances. A. Endocosteroids B. Corticosteroids C. Androcosteroids D. Ectocosteroids Answer: B 39. Corticosteroids are stress hormones that A. stimulate nervous breakdowns. B. activate the body and prepare it to respond to stressful circumstances. C. interfere with the body's ability to function during stressful events. D. calm the body when facing a stressful situation. Answer: B 40. When we are stressed, our body responds physiologically by increasing our heart rate, blood pressure, and the release of stress hormones called _______________. A. melatonins B. glucagons C. aldosterones D. corticosteroids Answer: D 41. An assessment that measures the amount of stress in a person’s life resulting from major life events over one year is called the A. secondary appraisal. B. primary appraisal. C. Social Readjustment Rating Scale. D. College Undergraduate Stress Scale. Answer: C 42. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale is a way of measuring A. the physiological effects of stress on a person. B. how much stress a person has experienced. C. the changes that have happened in a person's life. D. the accuracy of the general adaptation syndrome. Answer: C 43. Jenna was relieved when her abusive husband left her. What measure of life events would erroneously score this event in her life? A. Type A-B Scale B. California Psychological Inventory C. Hassles Scale D. Social Readjustment Rating Scale Answer: D 44. Which of the following life events would probably be the most stressful? A. Having trouble with your boss B. Going on vacation C. Moving to a new residence D. Jail term Answer: D 45. Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe developed the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) to measure change due to A. natural disasters. B. major life events. C. social difficulties. D. negative life events. Answer: B 46. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) measures stress related to A. positive and negative life events. B. only negative life events. C. only positive life events. D. internal stressors. Answer: A 47. The term hassles refers to A. minor health problems that cause a person to miss at least one day of work. B. minor annoyances of everyday life. C. the necessity to interact with persons we dislike in order to obtain our goals. D. personal limitations that make it impossible for someone to pursue a desired goal. Answer: B 48. Burning your toast, having trouble opening an email attachment, breaking a glass, and running late for an appointment are all examples of A. downturns. B. hassles. C. uplifts. D. distress. Answer: B 49. Researchers have found an association between daily hassles and A. cancer and heart disease. B. poor general health. C. hypertension and obesity. D. heart disease and schizophrenia. Answer: B 50. _______________ help predict who will and won't thrive in the face of potentially stressful circumstances. A. The ways in which people appraise stressful situations B. Coping abilities and strategies in specific situations C. Goals and availability of social support D. All of the above Answer: D 51. Which of the following is false? A. Both major life events and hassles are associated with poor general health. B. Major life events have a greater effect on adjustment than everyday hassles. C. Difficulties with relaxing and insomnia only reflect everyday hassles and are not related to depression or anxiety. D. Hassles are minor annoyances or nuisances that tax one's ability to cope. Answer: C 52. Which of the following is the best predictor of physical health, depression, and anxiety? A. The frequency and perceived severity of hassles B. The types of major life events experienced C. The number of negative major life events experienced D. The proportion of hassles to major life events Answer: A 53. Which psychologist(s) is(are) credited with proposing the general adaptation syndrome? A. Lazarus B. Holmes and Rahe C. Selye D. Berkowitz Answer: C 54. Selye's general adaptation syndrome describes A. how we modify our situation to reduce stress. B. the social and cultural factors affecting stress. C. the types of situations we find most stressful. D. how people react when exposed to stressors. Answer: D 55. Selye's description of how people react to stressors is the A. physiological arousal theory. B. general adaptation syndrome. C. fight-or-flight response. D. conflict resolution system. Answer: B 56. In which stage of the general adaptation syndrome is arousal level the highest? A. Collapse B. Exhaustion C. Alarm D. Resistance Answer: C 57. During the alarm stage of the general adaptation syndrome, people will exhibit A. rapidly fluctuating levels of arousal. B. high levels of arousal. C. moderate, sustained levels of arousal. D. low levels of arousal. Answer: B 58. During the resistance stage of the general adaptation syndrome, people will exhibit A. moderate, sustained levels of arousal. B. high levels of arousal. C. low levels of arousal. D. rapidly fluctuating levels of arousal. Answer: A 59. If someone is exposed to a stressor that demands so much and lasts so long that it exceeds the person's ability to cope with it, the person will move into which stage of Selye's general adaptation syndrome? A. Collapse B. Exhaustion C. Alarm D. Resistance Answer: B 60. During the alarm stage of the general adaptation syndrome, A. the central and somatic systems are activated. B. synaptic activity and the somatic nervous system activate to send messages from the CNS to muscles. C. the sympathetic nervous system is activated and adrenal glands release hormones. D. neurotransmitter levels and the central nervous system are activated. Answer: C 61. During the alarm stage of the general adaptation syndrome, all of the following except _______________ are reactions that can be seen. A. nausea B. fever C. hemorrhaging D. headaches Answer: C 62. Adelaida hears a rattling sound as she hikes through the desert. Her muscles tense and her blood pressure rises. According to Hans Selye, she is in the A. chronic stress phase. B. alarm phase. C. exhaustion phase. D. resistance phase. Answer: B 63. A person in the _______________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome may feel better even though he or she continues to secrete hormones to help the body fight a stressor. A. alarm B. resistance C. termination D. exhaustion Answer: B 64. What is the correct sequence of stages in the general adaptation syndrome? A. Resistance, alarm, exhaustion B. Alarm, exhaustion, resistance C. Alarm, resistance, exhaustion D. Resistance, exhaustion, alarm Answer: C 65. In which stage of the general adaptation syndrome has the body reached the limits of its ability to adapt to stress, which may result in the development of stress-related diseases? A. Collapse B. Alarm C. Exhaustion D. Resistance Answer: C 66. According to Selye, some people may develop illnesses such as high blood pressure or a weakened immune system during the _______________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome. A. collapse B. alarm C. exhaustion D. resistance Answer: C 67. For the past six months, Dahlia’s job has been extremely stressful, but she doesn’t feel that she can quit because she needs the money for tuition. Dahlia has been having chronic headaches and is behind in all of her classes. According to Hans Selye, Dahlia is in the _______________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome. A. collapse B. alarm C. exhaustion D. resistance Answer: C 68. According to Hans Selye, resistance to stress is lowest at the _______________ stage of the general adaptation syndrome. A. alarm B. resistance C. exhaustion D. collapse Answer: C 69. One of the most startling implications of Selye’s theory is that A. psychological stress may cause diseases such as ulcers and high blood pressure. B. most people are able to effectively cope with long-term stress. C. sensitivity to stress is genetically programmed. D. self-actualization tendencies lead to severe stress. Answer: A 70. According to Selye, distress referred to “bad” stress, whereas positive stress was referred to as _______________. A. eustress B. resistance C. hassles D. social readjustment Answer: A 71. _______________ is the optimal amount of stress that people need to promote health and well-being. A. Eustress B. Distress C. Stress D. Counterstress Answer: A 72. Professor Willoughby assigns his class a term paper that is to make up 30% of their final grade. The students are given clear guidelines about what is expected in this assignment, and are given two months to complete the assignment. Because students know that this paper is important but not the only thing upon which their grades will be based, this assignment would be likely to cause A. eustress. B. distress. C. frustration. D. aggression. Answer: A 73. Trevor was feeling stressed before defending his Ph.D. dissertation, even though the outcome was positive and he received his doctorate degree. What type of stress was he experiencing? A. Distress B. Chronic stress C. Adaptive stress D. Eustress Answer: D 74. Jamie has worked for Jones & Miller law firm for the past five years. The firm is in the process of downsizing and laying off employees. Jamie is afraid that she may lose her job. To help deal with this stressful situation, Jamie tends to rely on her social contacts for support, in addition to nurturing those around her. This is known as A. friend or relationship. B. fight or flight. C. reliance and coping. D. tend and befriend. Answer: D 75. When stressed, research has found that women tend to _______________ more often than men. A. fight B. flee C. reach exhaustion D. tend and befriend Answer: D 76. What hormone helps to counter stress and promotes the tend-and-befriend response? A. Cortisol B. Oxytocin C. Adrenaline D. Serotonin Answer: B 77. Amanda signed up with the army right after she graduated from high school. She was soon sent to Afghanistan. During her two years in Afghanistan, she witnessed many gruesome catastrophes. Upon returning home, she felt detached and estranged from her old friends, was easily startled, and had difficulties sleeping due to the vivid memories of the horrific events. Amanda displays the symptoms of A. flashbacks. B. depression. C. posttraumatic stress disorder. D. anxiety. Answer: C 78. Ali, a war veteran, has had nightmares, flashbacks, and anxiety attacks for the past three years. Ali is most likely suffering from A. posttraumatic stress disorder. B. acute stress disorder. C. eustress disorder. D. counterstress disorder. Answer: A 79. A disorder resulting from exposure to a major stressor, with symptoms of anxiety, nightmares, poor sleep, reliving the event, and concentration problems, lasting for more than one month is called A. posttraumatic stress disorder. B. acute stress disorder. C. eustress disorder. D. counterstress disorder. Answer: A 80. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD is _______________ percent in men and _______________ percent in women. A. 5; 10 B. 10; 15 C. 10; 20 D. 15; 10 Answer: A 81. Which of the following is not one of the three major features that affect people’s likelihood of developing PTSD? A. Severity of the trauma B. Coping skills preceding trauma C. Duration of the trauma D. Nearness to the stressor Answer: B 82. Which of the following events produce the highest risk of developing PTSD? A. Major natural disasters and combat experiences B. Combat experiences and plane crashes C. Mass shooting and major natural disasters D. Combat experiences and sexual assault Answer: D 83. Which of the following events produce the highest percentage of people who will develop acute stress disorder? A. Violent assault B. Vehicle accident C. Mass shooting D. Typhoon Answer: C 84. The most common response to traumatic events is A. anxiety. B. resilience. C. depression. D. PTSD. Answer: B 85. The field of _______________ studies the effects of psychological factors such as stress, emotions, thinking, and behaviour on the immune system. A. psychoneuroimmunology B. health psychology C. interactive psychology D. organic medicine Answer: A 86. People living under stressful conditions tend to get sick more often than they would otherwise. How do researchers in psychoneuroimmunology explain this phenomenon? A. The stress response reduces immune system functioning, thus making us more vulnerable to diseases. B. The stress response in the long run leads to a lowering of the heart rate, which makes the heart inefficient. C. The stress response makes muscles stronger, which places a greater burden on the heart and respiratory systems. D. The body tends to adapt to the constant call for the stress response and, thus, future responses are not as strong as before. Answer: A 87. Research on the effects of stress on the immune system suggests which of the following? A. The immune system is not affected by stress. B. Only certain types of stressors affect the immune system. C. Suppression of immune system functioning by stress always ends immediately after the stressful period ends. D. Suppression of immune system functioning by stress can apparently continue even after the stress itself is over. Answer: D 88. Which of the following statements best encapsulates the relationship between stress and physical illness according to psychoneuroimmunologists? A. Stress compromises the body’s immune system, leaving a person vulnerable to illness. B. Stress increases the production of natural killer cells, which causes cell death and leads to illness. C. Stress causes high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer. D. Stress has no direct relationship to physical illness, though physicians tell us that these things are related so that we will be more willing to take unnecessary medications. Answer: A 89. The purpose of the _______________ is to protect the body against the invasion of bacteria, viruses, or other illness-producing organisms. A. immune system B. phagocytes C. antigens D. lymphocytes Answer: A 90. The body's first shield from foreign invaders is A. antigens. B. white blood cells. C. the skin. D. pathogens. Answer: C 91. Foreign invaders to the body are also called A. lymphocytes. B. pathogens. C. phagocytes. D. antigens. Answer: D 92. Julie has a serious disorder of the immune system that is life-threatening and incurable. This is a condition in which the human immunodeficiency virus attacks and damages the immune system. Julie has A. acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). B. Alzheimer’s. C. multiple sclerosis. D. human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Answer: A 93. Which of the following is not one of the safeguards utilized by our body to protect us from getting sick? A. Phagocytes B. Antigens C. Lymphocytes D. Antibodies Answer: B 94. Antibodies are to _______________ as antigens are to _______________. A. phagocytes; neutraphil B. T cells; lymphocytes C. microphages; K cells D. B cells; pathogens Answer: D 95. An overactive immune system is associated with all of the following diseases except A. allergies. B. arthritis. C. cancer. D. multiple sclerosis. Answer: C 96. Following an infection, our immune system produces _______________ which are long-lived and wander through the body destroying any remaining antigens and dead tissue. A. macrophages B. lymphocytes C. antibodies D. b-cells Answer: A 97. Which of the following stressors can lead to disruption in the immune system? A. Unemployment B. Taking an important test C. Natural disasters D. All of the above Answer: D 98. The immune system can be fortified by A. positive emotions. B. social support. C. close ties to the community. D. both A and B. Answer: D 99. Which of the following statements concerning psychoneuroimmunology is accurate? A. Positive thinking can reverse serious illnesses such as cancer. B. Significant psychological stressors can be predictive of who develops a cold. C. Psychotherapy appears to prolong the survival of people diagnosed with cancer. D. Negative thinking can prevent healing and increase negative symptoms of an illness. Answer: B 100. Which of the following individuals is least likely to experience disruptions to their immune system? A. Lila just lost her job but is confident that she will find another one shortly as she has many skills. B. Steve has just lost his home in a flood and goes to stay with his nearby family while he rebuilds his house. C. Peter cares for his sick mother and is thankful he gets to spend time with her and that family and friends are very supportive of him. D. Gail has a lot of friends that are helping her cope with the sudden death of her husband. Answer: C 101. _______________ is the term used to describe illnesses that emotions and stress contribute to, maintain, or aggravate the physical symptoms. A. Biopsychosocial B. Generalized anxiety C. Psychoneuroimmunology D. Psychophysiological Answer: D 102. According to the _______________ perspective, medical conditions (e.g., AIDS) depend on the interaction of genes, lifestyle, immunity, social support, and self-perceptions. A. psychophysiological B. biopsychosocial C. psychological D. psychoneuroimmunology Answer: B 103. Research has demonstrated that peptic ulcers that cause pain, nausea, and loss of appetite, are caused by A. stress. B. a rare bacteria that thrives in stomach acid. C. eating spicy foods. D. emotion-provoking events like weddings and exams. Answer: B 104. Which of the following are the leading indicators of coronary heart disease? A. Advanced age and lifestyle B. High blood pressure and family history of the disease C. Stress and personality type D. Diabetes and stress Answer: C 105. Which of the following individuals would be most likely to die from coronary heart disease (CHD)? A. A 67 year old retired woman who has diabetes, a Type B personality, and does a lot of crafting B. A 63 year old retired male nurse who has high cholesterol, but tries to take care of himself and stay active C. A 45 year old woman with a family history of heart disease and some Type A personality traits D. A 41 year old man who has high blood pressure, a Type D personality, and works as a correctional guard Answer: D 106. John is the type of person who wants everything done perfectly the first time. When playing a game, he feels like he must win. He is easily provoked to anger, but he is also readily ambitious. Based on these traits, John must be a A. Type B personality. B. Type D personality. C. Type A personality. D. Type T personality. Answer: C 107. Joanna has a Type A personality. Which of the following traits are descriptive of her personality? A. Competitive and driven B. Negative and distressed C. Hostile and ambitious D. Both A and C Answer: D 108. A person who is ambitious, time conscious, extremely hardworking, easily annoyed, and tends to have high levels of hostility and anger is said to be exhibiting a _______________ personality. A. Type B B. Type D C. Type A D. Type T Answer: C 109. People who respond to life events with a laid back, relaxed, easygoing attitude, and are slow to anger are said to have a _______________ personality. A. Type B B. Type D C. Type A D. Type T Answer: A 110. Levon has a Type B personality. Which of the following is most likely? A. Levon is determined to achieve. B. Levon is competitive. C. Levon is slow to anger. D. Levon gets easily upset. Answer: C 111. The Type A behaviour pattern is a significant predictor of A. cancer. B. respiratory illnesses. C. coronary heart disease. D. mental illness. Answer: C 112. Which Type A personality characteristic is the key trait that is linked to heart disease? A. Competitiveness B. Compulsiveness C. Hostility D. Chronic irritability Answer: C 113. What is the prime cause of peptic ulcers? A. Prolonged stress reactions B. Helicobacter pylori C. Repressed childhood trauma D. Overabundance of cortisol Answer: B 114. A peptic ulcer is A. an enlarged esophagus due to excessive eating. B. an enlarged small intestines due to eating hot foods. C. an inflamed lung that can cause difficulty breathing. D. an inflamed area in the stomach lining that can cause pain, nausea, and loss of appetite. Answer: D 115. Which of the following statements regarding ulcers is false? A. Stress is the primary cause of ulcers. B. It is a myth that ulcers are the result of eating excessive amounts of spicy foods (e.g., salsas or flaming hot chicken wings). C. Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that lives in stomach acid and causes as many as 90% of stomach ulcers. D. All of the above Answer: A 116. A condition called _______________ occurs when cholesterol deposits in the large arteries form plaque and restrict blood flow, which can result in stroke, heart attack, and serious chest pain. A. atherosclerosis B. coronary heart disease C. peptic ulcer D. angina Answer: A 117. Health problems are disproportionately prevalent in individuals with A. low socioeconomic status backgrounds. B. mental disorders. C. a history of extreme trauma. D. a moderate amount of daily hassles. Answer: A 118. Social support encompasses the social relations with A. the larger community. B. people, groups, and the larger community. C. people and groups. D. individual people. Answer: B 119. Jayci lost her husband, daughter, and home in a widespread wildfire. To overcome this ordeal, she turns to old friends and support groups set up in the community for emotional comfort, information, companionship, advice, and financial assistance. This relationship is known as A. coping. B. social support. C. camaraderie. D. networking. Answer: B 120. What has research on social support and rates of mortality shown? A. People with more social support have higher rates of mortality. B. There is no relationship between social support and mortality. C. Levels of social support are equal to rates of mortality. D. People with less social support have higher rates of mortality. Answer: D 121. Research suggests that social support is a meditational factor in the relationship between depression and A. coping. B. loneliness. C. illness. D. perfectionism. Answer: D 122. Which of the following is not one of the five types of control we use in different situations? A. Cognitive control B. Decisional control C. Social control D. Informational control Answer: C 123. Eric was recently fired from his job. His response to this stressful event was to take charge of the situation and research available jobs in his field. Then, he applied to each of the open positions for which he was qualified, in order to reduce the impact of the situation. This active type of coping is known as A. decisional control. B. emotional control. C. cognitive control. D. behavioural control. Answer: D 124. Darci wants to go to medical school. She has a 4.0 in her undergraduate coursework, but she is stressed with having to take the MCAT. To reduce this stress, she is taking steps to minimize this stress by signing up for MCAT prep classes. Darci is engaging in A. academic coping. B. proactive coping. C. problem-focused coping. D. retroactive coping. Answer: B 125. Cognitive control is the A. ability to choose between alternative choices for action. B. ability to reduce the impact of stressful circumstances by actively doing something. C. ability to cognitively suppress and express emotions and thoughts. D. ability to cognitively restructure or think differently about negative emotions that stem from stressful events. Answer: D 126. Disclosing painful feelings is known as A. debriefing. B. releasing. C. liberation. D. catharsis. Answer: D 127. Emotion-focused coping is to _______________ as problem-focused coping is to _______________. A. cognitive control; behavioural control B. behavioural control; decisional control C. emotional control; informational control D. emotional control; behavioural control Answer: A 128. _______________ is related to improved health for those with little perceived control over their lives. A. Social support B. Collective self-esteem C. Relaxation techniques D. Psychotherapy Answer: B 129. Jon has an upcoming term paper that he knows is going to take a lot of work so it is stressing him out. He chooses to engage in proactive coping and sets a goal of writing 2 pages on his paper every night and leaving time to review and revise his writing. What type of control is Jon engaging in to manage his stress? A. Decisional control B. Emotional control C. Behavioural control D. Informational control Answer: D 130. Helen is dreading taking a statistics class that is required for her psychology degree. There are two sections of the course offered, so she seeks out information from friends and reads teaching reviews about the professors teaching the class. In making her choice of classes, Helen is engaging in A. decisional control. B. emotional control. C. behavioural control. D. informational control. Answer: A 131. Julia signed up for an online dating website in order to meet potential partners she may be interested in going out with. She tends to ask a lot of questions before agreeing to meet someone for a date so that she can get a sense of the person’s personality, values, and likes/dislikes. What type of control is Julia engaging in? A. Decisional control B. Emotional control C. Behavioural control D. Informational control Answer: D 132. Stacie is interested in researching the effects of catharsis on health. What will she likely find in the literature? A. Catharsis can be harmful when it involves problem solving and/or constructive means to make the stressful situation "right." B. Catharsis can be harmful when it reinforces a sense of helplessness. C. Yelling, punching pillows, and throwing balls significantly reduce long-term stress. D. All of the above. Answer: B 133. Research suggests that catharsis (or “letting it all out”) is _______________ for relief of short-term stress and _______________ for reduction of long-term stress. A. beneficial; beneficial B. beneficial; detrimental C. detrimental; beneficial D. detrimental; detrimental Answer: B 134. _______________ is administered to people who have experienced trauma, in order to ward off posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A. Catharsis B. Crisis debriefing C. Psychoanalysis D. Proactive coping Answer: B 135. Research on crisis debriefing and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suggests that A. crisis debriefing involves discussing and processing negative emotions, listing symptoms, and discouraging early discontinuation. B. the risk of PTSD increases with crisis debriefing. C. Both A and B D. None of the above Answer: C 136. Crisis debriefing following a traumatic event isn’t effective and may worsen traumatic responses because A. it overwhelms people with information that they are not ready to hear. B. it interferes with people’s natural coping strategies. C. forcing people to deal with their trauma can cause anger and retaliatory responses. D. social support is only protective when it involves people close to us and not counsellors we don’t know. Answer: B 137. Katie and Jessica were college freshman when a sniper killed six students on campus. Katie suppressed her negative emotions of the event, and Jessica accepted the situation as an event that cannot be changed. Which of the following is most likely true regarding their responses? A. Katie and Jessica will both have difficulty with this situation. B. Katie will be able to successfully deal with this situation, and Jessica will have difficulty dealing with this situation. C. Katie will have difficulty dealing with this situation, and Jessica will be able to successfully deal with this situation. D. Katie and Jessica will both be able to successfully deal with the situation. Answer: C 138. Brenda’s brother was just murdered, and her method of dealing with this trauma is what she calls the “shelf” method: she avoids reminders of her brother and pushes any emotions that she feels out of the way. What is the most likely outcome of Brenda’s coping style? A. She will eventually deal with her feelings when she is ready to. B. Coping is dependent on the individual and Brenda will be resilient and suffer no ill effects. C. Negative emotions associated with the murder will rebound and increase her coping difficulty. D. Avoiding reminders of the trauma in the immediate aftermath will improve Brenda’s later coping skills. Answer: C 139. The following factors impact an individual's ability to effectively deal with stress. A. Hardiness, commitment, and avoidance B. Hardiness, optimism, and spirituality C. Optimism, rumination, and control D. Rumination, avoidance, and obsession Answer: B 140. Tad seems to thrive when faced with difficult challenges and usually feels in control of his life. He would probably be labelled a _______________ personality. A. Type C B. Type B C. hardy D. stressed Answer: C 141. Which of the following are the three terms used to describe the way in which hardy people differ from many other Type A people and others who suffer more ill effects due to stress? A. Compassion, challenge, commitment B. Competitiveness, control, compassion C. Commitment, control, challenge D. Commitment, control, competitiveness Answer: C 142. Hardiness is closely associated with which of the following? A. High levels of stress B. Low levels of anxiety-proneness C. Increased risk of developing coronary heart disease D. Decreased risk of cancer Answer: B 143. When looking at a glass that is neither completely full nor completely empty, a(n) _______________ might say “that glass is half full,” while a(n) _______________ might say “no, that glass is half empty!” A. optimist; realist B. realist; pessimist C. optimist; pessimist D. pessimist; optimist Answer: C 144. _______________ is associated with lower mortality rates, better surgical outcomes, a more vigorous immune response, and lower levels of distress when faced with infertility. A. Hardiness B. Spirituality C. Optimism D. Type A personality Answer: C 145. According to studies, people who are involved in a religion and attend services regularly are more likely to A. live a shorter life than are those who do not have religious beliefs. B. lack a social support system. C. live longer than do those who do not have religious beliefs. D. feel alone with their struggles. Answer: C 146. Membership in a religious organization and regular attendance at religious functions A. promote one’s cognitive abilities. B. are a psychological defence mechanism. C. can be a vital part of a person’s social support system. D. will definitely extend one’s life expectancy. Answer: C 147. Approximately _______________ percent of Canadians believe in God, which may help buffer stress. A. 55 B. 65 C. 75 D. 85 Answer: C 148. Which of the following is one of the ways in which religion helps people reduce or cope with stress? A. Religion isolates people from those who are different. B. Most religions promote psychological defence mechanisms. C. Religion can provide a strong social support system. D. Religion includes rituals that get people to dwell on their failings. Answer: C 149. A set of attitudes marked by a sense of control over events, commitment to life and work, and motivation and courage to confront stressful events is known as A. self-enhancement. B. proactive integration. C. hardiness. D. rumination. Answer: C 150. Melissa's mother was recently diagnosed with leukemia. As a result, Melissa is now required to take care of all of her mother's personal needs and manage her financial affairs. Melissa is already a full-time student, and is also the primary caregiver for her son. However, Melissa has an attitude that things could be worse. She is confident that she will get through this crisis. Thus, she is displaying A. self-confidence. B. self-enhancement. C. hardiness. D. rumination. Answer: C 151. Adena looks on the bright side of life. When a situation is not going well, she is able to bring to light something positive. This is known as A. rumination. B. optimism. C. pessimism. D. self-enhancement. Answer: B 152. Optimism is linked with A. enhanced immune functioning. B. higher mortality rate. C. both of the above. D. none of the above. Answer: A 153. Which of the following is not one of the outcomes that optimism is associated with? A. Better surgical outcomes B. Less distress during pregnancy for women C. More vigorous immune responses D. Lower mortality rate Answer: B 154. _______________ is the search for the sacred, which may or may not extend to belief in God. A. Spirituality B. Atheism C. Optimism D. Humanism Answer: A 155. In comparison to nonreligious people, religious individuals have A. lower mortality rates and lower blood pressure. B. higher mortality rates and higher blood pressure. C. lower mortality rates and higher blood pressure. D. higher mortality rates and lower blood pressure. Answer: A 156. Which of the following ways of reacting to stressful circumstances is considered counterproductive? A. Spirituality B. Self-enhancement C. Rumination D. Optimism Answer: C 157. _______________ is also known as "recycling mental garbage." A. Pessimism B. Rumination C. Cynicism D. Self-doubt Answer: B 158. Cassie spends all of her time thinking about the things she has done wrong. She replays negative events over and over in her mind. As a result, Cassie is suffering from depression. This is caused by the process known as A. pessimism. B. confusion. C. rumination. D. remembering. Answer: C 159. Haviere’s girlfriend broke up with him earlier in the year, and he continues to focus on how sad he is, analyzes what he could have said or done differently, and thinks of ways he could win her back. Based on this information, what maladaptive method of coping is Haviere engaging in? A. Self-enhancement B. Pessimism C. Belief perseverance D. Rumination Answer: D 160. The field of psychology that integrates the behavioural sciences with the practice and science of medicine is known as A. psychology medicine. B. psychology integration. C. behavioural integration. D. behavioural medicine. Answer: D 161. Behavioural medicine and health psychology both emphasize A. diagnosing illness. B. diagnosing and treating illness. C. treating illness. D. the prevention of illness. Answer: D 162. Serena is a psychologist who helps people develop and implement strategies for managing their daily life and coping with stress following a diagnosis of terminal cancer. What type of psychologist is Serena? A. Behavioural psychologist B. Psychoneuroimmunologist C. Health psychologist D. Clinical psychologist Answer: C 163. Which of the following unhealthy habits is most closely related to suffering from clinical depression? A. Overeating B. Smoking C. Excessive drinking D. Illegal drug use Answer: B 164. Which of the following promotes a healthy lifestyle? A. Stop smoking B. Lose weight C. Curb alcohol consumption D. All of the above Answer: D 165. Body mass index (BMI) is calculated by A. dividing height in metres squared by weight in kilograms and multiply by a conversion factor of 50. B. multiplying weight in kilograms by height in meters squared and divide by a conversion factor of 703. C. multiplying height in metres squared by weight in kilograms and divide by a conversion factor of 50. D. dividing weight in kilograms by height in metres squared and multiply by a conversion factor of 703. Answer: D 166. _______________ is associated with increases in cancer, liver problems, pregnancy complications, brain shrinkage, and other neurological problems. A. Smoking B. Binge drinking C. Overeating D. Marijuana use Answer: B 167. Which one of the following characteristics is related to a greater likelihood of drinking? A. Women B. Poor health C. Higher education D. Healthier lifestyles Answer: C 168. Research has indicated that people who consume _______________ experience more severe hangovers. A. vodka B. white wine C. bourbon D. gin Answer: C 169. Which of the following health problems increases the risk of depression and anxiety by 25%? A. Smoking B. Excessive drinking C. Coronary heart disease D. Obesity Answer: D 170. As of 2004, statistics collected in Canada indicate that _______________ percent of people are considered obese according to the body mass index. A. 14 B. 23 C. 32 D. 47 Answer: B 171. Overweight people are often characterized as being A. hard workers. B. equally attractive as thin people. C. strong, peaceful, and determined. D. lazy, sloppy, or lacking in will power. Answer: D 172. Which of the following are reasons for weight increase, apart from diet and exercise? A. Genetic influences B. Use of medicines C. Lack of adequate sleep D. All of the above Answer: D 173. Julie follows the latest diet fad. These diets frequently require her to restrict her caloric intake to 1000 calories a day for several weeks. What kind of diet is this known as? A. Healthy diet B. Balanced diet C. Limited diet D. Crash diet Answer: D 174. As a result of crash dieting, Julie will lose 10 kilograms in two weeks. But, unfortunately, as soon as she goes off the diet, she gains 10 to 12 kilograms. Julie is experiencing the _______________ effect. A. yo-yo B. disequilibrium C. equilibrium D. butterfly Answer: A 175. Which of the following is not one of the reasons for obesity (apart from diet and lack of exercise)? A. Lack of adequate sleep B. Increase in mothers who give birth at older ages C. Tendency to marry someone with a heavier body type than you D. Comfortable temperatures decrease calories burned Answer: C 176. Approximately half of the differences in people’s tendency to become overweight are accounted for by A. genetics. B. people’s eating habits. C. lack of exercise. D. medications. Answer: A 177. To help people follow medical advice, one should A. encourage patients to use social support systems. B. give patients educational materials. C. Both A and B D. None of the above Answer: C 178. June is studying health psychology and is looking for information on the most likely causes of death for a research paper. Based on the _______________, she assumes this includes breast cancer and car accidents, but is incorrect because heart disease is the more frequent and deadly illness. A. confirmation bias B. disconfirmation bias C. availability heuristic D. expectancy effect Answer: C 179. _______________ is the mental shortcut we use to judge the likelihood of an event and the ease with which it comes to mind. A. Availability heuristic B. Representativeness heuristic C. Rumination D. Automatic process Answer: A 180. Health prevention programs contain all of the following elements except A. education about the risks and consequences of obesity, smoking, and excessive drinking. B. education about positive health behaviours such as good nutrition and exercise. C. teaching young people to recognize and resist peer pressure to engage in unhealthy behaviours. D. education about the causes and physical effects of various diseases, including treatment options. Answer: D 181. Your friend Marcus has just started working for a local government agency and is responsible for designing effective health prevention programs for grade schools. Based on the information you have read in your text, what should you tell Marcus to focus on in the programs he designs? A. Focus on making kids “scared straight” so they will not try drugs and alcohol. B. Focus on coping skills and managing stress so they can deal with their lives more efficiently. C. Focus on boosting self-esteem while emphasizing the negative consequences of drinking and substance abuse. D. Focus on exposing people to negative examples of “drug abusers” and the negative consequences of these “bad” behaviours. Answer: B 182. Prevention efforts should begin A. by preschool age. B. by school age. C. by young adulthood. D. by adolescence. Answer: D 183. Which is not true about the DARE program? A. It is popular in schools. B. It targets fifth and sixth graders. C. It teaches the negatives effects of using drugs. D. It produces long-lasting effects. Answer: D 184. Programs that focus on _______________ generally show positive treatment and prevention outcomes. A. coping skills and stress management B. negative behavioural consequences C. being “scared straight” to avoid unhealthy choices D. emotion-focused coping and mental disorders Answer: A 185. _______________ medicine is health care practices and products that are used in place of conventional medicine. A. Conventional B. Complementary C. Integrative D. Alternative Answer: D 186. _______________ refers to products and practices that are used along with conventional medicine, whereas _______________ medicine refers to health care practices and products used in place of conventional medicine. A. Complementary; alternative B. Homeopathic; complementary C. Alternative; complementary D. Alternative; homeopathic Answer: A 187. Which of the following statements about the effectiveness of herbal or natural preparations is true? A. Dietary supplements with calcium do not prevent much bone loss in women. B. Vitamin C does not markedly decrease the severity or duration of colds. C. High doses of vitamin E may increase the risk of death from many causes. D. Saint John’s Wort does not alleviate the symptoms of moderate to severe depression. Answer: C 188. Often, promising herbal remedies A. are almost as effective as pharmaceutical products. B. are just as effective as pharmaceutical products. C. are more effect than pharmaceuticals products. D. are little better than a placebo. Answer: D 189. _______________ is the ancient Chinese practice of inserting thin needles into more than 2000 points in the body to alter energy forces. A. Acupuncture B. Homeopathic medicine C. Acupressure D. Chiropractic manipulation Answer: A 190. Bob is going to the doctor for treatment of a painful back condition. The doctor regularly manipulates Bob's spine as part of the treatment. Bob's doctor is practising A. alternative medicine. B. chiropractic manipulations. C. homeopathy. D. conventional medicine. Answer: B 191. Biofeedback is the feedback by a device that gives output of A. level of relaxation. B. stress or illness. C. biological function. D. none of the above. Answer: C 192. Which of the following is not a stress management technique? A. Increasing coping strategies B. Increasing positive emotional reactions C. Increasing anxiety D. Increasing relaxation Answer: C 193. Research on relaxation training versus biofeedback has indicated that A. relaxation therapy is much more effective at treating stress, anxiety, and physical ailments than biofeedback. B. biofeedback is much more effective at treating stress, anxiety, and physical ailments relative to relaxation therapy. C. these techniques are equally effective in reducing stress and treating anxiety as well as other physical ailments. D. neither one of these techniques is overly effective at treating stress, anxiety, and physical ailments. Answer: C 194. Research on both Parkinson’s disease and depression has indicated that _______________ can actually alleviate some physical symptoms and enhance the effects of available treatments. A. placebo effects B. stress-reduction techniques C. virtual exposure therapy D. activation of “fight or flight” neurons Answer: A 195. Which alternative therapy has been used in the treatment of autism, and involves attempts to remove heavy metals from the body through chemical injections? A. Chelation therapy B. Homeopathic medicine C. Electrodermal stimulation D. Reiki Answer: A 196. _______________ is remedies that involve a small dose of illness-inducing substance, which activates the body's natural defences. A. Homeopathic medicine B. Acupuncture C. Chiropractic manipulation D. Acupressure Answer: A 197. Dr. Jones is treating Danielle's illness by giving her a diluted dose of an illness- producing substance. What is Dr. Jones is using? A. Alternative medicine B. Acupressure C. Complementary medicine D. Homeopathic medicine Answer: D 198. "Like cures like" is an example of A. traditional medicine. B. alternative medicine. C. complementary medicine. D. homeopathic medicine. Answer: B 199. Judging the similarity between two objects based on the extent they resemble each other is using the A. rumination. B. automatic process. C. representativeness heuristic. D. availability heuristic. Answer: C 200. Drug companies have found that natural products, such as _______________, can be effective as an anticancer drug. A. taxol B. St. John’s Wort C. digitalis D. Ginkgo biloba Answer: A Critical Thinking Questions 1. Discuss stress as both a cause and effect of illness. Answer: Answers may vary but should contain the ideas listed below to earn full credit. Stress as a cause of illness: • Stress can have a negative impact on the immune system, hastening the consequences of the illness. • Physical or emotional responses to stress can trigger an asthma attack. • Stress can increase harmful behaviours, such as smoking, that make illnesses worse. Stress as an effect of illness: • The diagnosis of a fatal illness (e.g., HIV/AIDS) can result in extreme stress, making the situation worse. Stress as both a cause and effect of illness: • Ulcers are triggered by H. pylori bacterium and stress. The bacterium alone may not be sufficient to develop ulcers, as suggested by higher rates of ulcers being associated with earthquakes, being a POW, economic crises, and other anxiety- provoking events. Stress can act as a cause of illness by weakening the immune system, increasing inflammation, and disrupting physiological processes like sleep and digestion. Conversely, illness itself can be a source of stress, triggering anxiety, depression, and exacerbating symptoms, creating a cycle that can further impact health and well-being. 2. Discuss the role of control on stress and describe the five types of control that we can use. Based on personal experiences, what do you believe to be the most effective method of control and the least effective method of control? Why? Answer: Answers may vary but should contain the ideas listed below to earn full credit. Stress can be relieved by acquiring control of the situation. 1. Behavioural Control: This is the ability to take charge and do “something” to reduce the severity of the stressful situation (i.e., problem focused). Such control is more effective in dealing with stress than avoiding action (i.e., avoidance oriented coping). 2. Cognitive Control: This is the ability to “cognitively restructure or think differently about” the emotions that arise from a stressful situation. Such a strategy (i.e., emotion-focused coping) enables individuals to adjust to uncertain circumstances that cannot be controlled or changed. Strentz and Auerback (1988) found that individuals were less distressed when using emotion-focused coping rather than problem-focused coping. 3. Decisional Control: This is the ability to choose among alternate choices, in regard to which choice is the best. 4. Informational Control: This is the ability to gain information about a stressful circumstance. Anticipating such situations and moving forward to prevent/minimise problems from arising is known as proactive coping. 5. Emotional Control: This is the ability to repress and express emotions, based on the situation. “There's a time and place for everything.” Control plays a crucial role in managing stress by influencing how individuals perceive and cope with stressful situations. The five types of control include behavioral control (taking action), cognitive control (changing thoughts), decisional control (making choices), informational control (seeking information), and emotional control (regulating emotions). In personal experience, behavioral control (taking action) tends to be the most effective method as it empowers direct influence over a situation, reducing feelings of helplessness. Emotional control (regulating emotions) might be the least effective as emotions can be challenging to manage directly, though strategies like mindfulness can help in regulating them indirectly. 3. Discuss three of the four healthy behaviour tips given in the chapter. Include the benefits and implications of each tip. Answer: Answers may vary but should contain the ideas listed below to earn full credit. HEALTH TIPS: 1. Stop Smoking: Smoking is an unhealthy way to “reduce” stress, placing oneself at risk for health and other stress-related problems (i.e., CHD, lung disease, strokes, cancer) over time. Implications: It is extremely difficult to quit smoking (80% of smokers want to stop, but only % of the 40% who try to stop actually succeed.) 2. Curb Alcohol Consumption: Heavy drinking is associated with health issues (i.e., cancer, liver problems, pregnancy complications, brain shrinkage, neurological problems, and cardiovascular disease). Implications: Alcohol studies are controversial because of their conflicting results. 3. Lose Weight: The obese tend to be less wealthy, limited in school progress, and less likely to marry, in addition to being at greater risk of heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, arthritis, cancer, respiratory problems, and diabetes. Implications: Diet, genes, and everyday habits impact one's ability to lose weight. 4. Exercise: Jogging, lifting weights, and yoga can relieve depression. Other exercises can reduce anxiety and improve fitness/activeness. These exercises lead to numerous health benefits, such as lower blood pressure and CHD risk, enhance lung functions, reduce arthritis, lower diabetes risk, and reduce breast/colon cancer. Implications: Exercise must be consistent. Research shows jogging, lifting weights, and yoga must be done for eight weeks in order to relieve depression. OVERALL IMPLICATIONS: • People see health issues as a distance threat, but stress as an imminent threat; therefore, they do not comply with these health tips. • People are aware of the risks, but ignore them. • People rely on the availability heuristic. • People feel powerless to change. Engaging in regular exercise, such as brisk walking or swimming, improves cardiovascular health, boosts mood through endorphin release, and enhances overall physical fitness. Benefits include reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, improved mood and mental health, and increased longevity. Implications involve finding time for exercise amidst busy schedules and ensuring activities are suitable for individual fitness levels. Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains supports overall health and well-being. Benefits include maintaining a healthy weight, reducing the risk of chronic diseases, improving energy levels, and supporting optimal bodily functions. Implications include making informed food choices, navigating dietary preferences or restrictions, and managing portion sizes to maintain balance. Essay Questions 1. First, provide a clear definition of stress. Next, compare and contrast stress as a stimulus, stress as a transaction, and stress as a response. Answer: Answers may vary but should contain the ideas listed below to earn full credit. Stress is the tension, discomfort, or physical symptoms that arise when a situation strains the ability to cope effectively. CONTRAST: • Stress as a stimulus: focuses on identifying types of stressful events (i.e., natural disasters, breakups, or retirement). • Stress as a transaction: examines how people interpret (i.e., primary appraisal and secondary appraisal) and cope (i.e., problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping) with stressful events. • Stress as a response: revolves around links between psychological and physical reactions to stressful situations. COMPARE: • They are all types of stress (i.e., tension, discomfort, or physical symptoms that arise when a situation strains the ability to cope effectively). • Stress: a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. • Stress as a stimulus: refers to external events or situations that place pressure on an individual, such as work deadlines or relationship issues. • Stress as a transaction: views stress as a result of an interaction between an individual and their environment. It emphasizes the perception of stressors and the individual's ability to cope with them. • Stress as a response: focuses on the physiological, psychological, and behavioral reactions to stressors, such as increased heart rate, anxiety, or changes in behavior. 2. Identify and discuss the two approaches to measuring stress, including the scales associated with each approach, their relation to health, and problems with the approaches. Answer: Answers will vary but should contain the following information for full credit. Major Life Events. Adopting the view that stressors are stimuli, David Holmes and his colleagues developed the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) based on 43 life events ranked in terms of how stressful participants rated them. The SRRS scale is scored by adding the numbers to the right of each item experienced over the preceding 12 months. Studies using the SRRS and related measures indicate that the number of stressful events people report over the previous year or so is associated with a variety of physical and psychological disorders, like depression. Nevertheless, the sheer number of stressful life events is far from a perfect predictor of who’ll become physically or psychologically ill. That’s because this approach to measuring stressors doesn’t take into consideration other crucial factors, including people’s interpretation of events, their coping behaviours and resources, and their problems in recalling events accurately. It also neglects the fact that some stressful life events, like divorce or troubles with bosses, can be consequences rather than causes of people’s psychological problems. Hassles: Our daily lives are often loaded with hassles, minor annoyances or nuisances that strain our ability to cope. But can lots of hassles add up to be as taxing as the monumental events that shake the foundations of our world? DeLongis and colleagues at the University of British Columbia developed the Hassles Scale to measure how stressful events, ranging from small annoyances to major daily pressures, impact our adjustment. Both major life events and hassles are associated with poor general health. Nevertheless, the frequency and perceived severity of hassles are better predictors of physical health, depression, and anxiety than are major life events. Yet questions about the measurement of hassles remain. Some of the items on the scale, such as difficulties with relaxing and insomnia, may reflect symptoms of psychological disorders, such as depression or anxiety, rather than hassles. However, when the scale developers (DeLongis et al., 1988) revised the scale by removing all words related to symptoms, they found that hassles were still associated with health outcomes. Therefore, it’s important to assess not only events that require major life adaptations but everyday hassles as well. • Physiological measures: involve assessing biological responses to stress, such as heart rate variability, cortisol levels, and blood pressure. These measures can provide objective data but may not capture the full range of stress experiences or factors influencing health. • Self-report measures: include questionnaires like the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale. These measures assess subjective experiences of stress and its impact on health. However, self-report measures may be influenced by individual perceptions and biases, leading to potential inaccuracies. 3. Discuss Selye's general adaptation syndrome (GAS) and include the three stages of adaptation. Answer: Answers may vary but should contain the ideas listed below to earn full credit. • According to Selye, excess stress results in breakdowns. The human body has a sensitive physiology that deals with stressful situations by igniting us into "high gear." The responding pattern to stress is known as the GAS. All extended stressors go through three adaptive stages, including alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. • 1st Stage: Alarm Reaction—Excites the autonomic nervous system, the release of adrenaline (stress hormone), and physical anxiety. • 2nd Stage: Resistance—The adaptation and coping of stress due to activation of the "thinking brain" (cerebral cortex), which leads to the examination of the unfolding of events, evaluation of alternative solutions, and investigation of attempted coping strategies. • 3rd Stage: Exhaustion—Results from a lack of coping and limited personal resources that leads to resistance breaking down and high levels of activation can no longer be sustained. This can lead to organ system damage, immune system breakdown, depression or PTSD. - General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): Selye's theory that the body responds to stress with a predictable pattern involving three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. 1. Alarm stage: Body perceives a threat and activates the "fight-or-flight" response, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline. 2. Resistance stage: Body tries to adapt to the stressor, maintaining a high state of alertness. If the stress continues, resources become depleted. 3. Exhaustion stage: Resources are depleted, and the body becomes more susceptible to illness, physical and emotional breakdowns, or even death if stressors persist. 4. Discuss the role of stress and socioeconomic factors in coronary heart disease (CHD). Answer: Answers may vary but should contain the ideas listed below to earn full credit. • CHD is correlated to job stress and dissatisfaction. • African-American women that are discriminated against and report high levels of stress have more artery blockages than other African-American women. • Stressful events predict reoccurring heart attacks, high blood pressure, and heart enlargement related to CHD. • Extreme stress, which leads to high levels of stress hormones, disrupts the heart patterns, may lead to abrupt death, increases atherosclerosis for individuals that are extremely reactive to stress. • Stress: Chronic stress can contribute to the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) by triggering physiological responses that increase blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and inflammation, all of which are risk factors for CHD. • Socioeconomic factors: Low socioeconomic status is associated with higher rates of CHD due to limited access to healthcare, higher levels of stress, unhealthy lifestyle factors, and greater exposure to environmental risk factors. 5. Identify and describe the five methods of gaining control over stressful situations. Answer: Answers will vary but should contain the following information for full credit. Behavioural Control. Behavioural control is the ability to step up and do something to reduce the impact of a stressful situation. As we’ll recall, this type of active coping is called problem-focused and is generally more effective in relieving stress than avoidance-oriented coping—that is, avoiding action to solve our problems or giving up hope. Cognitive Control. Cognitive control is the ability to cognitively restructure or think differently about negative emotions that arise in response to stress- provoking events. This type of control includes emotion-focused coping, which we introduced earlier, a strategy that comes in handy when we’re adjusting to uncertain situations or aversive events we can’t control or change. Decisional Control. Decisional control is the ability to choose among alternative courses of action. We can consult with trusted friends about which classes to take and which professors to avoid, and make decisions about which surgeon to consult to perform a high-stakes operation. Informational Control. Informational control is the ability to acquire information about a stressful event. Knowing what types of questions are on the SAT or GRE exam can help us prepare for them, as can knowing something about the person we’re fixed up with on an upcoming date. We engage in proactive coping when we anticipate stressful situations and take steps to prevent or minimise difficulties before they arise. People who engage in proactive coping tend to perceive stressful circumstances as opportunities for growth. Emotional Control. Emotional control is the ability to suppress and express emotions. Communication can strengthen social bonds, enhance problem solving, and regulate emotions. Still, there are times when it’s best to conceal our emotions, such as cloaking our fears when we’re giving a speech and suppressing our anger when trying to resolve a problem with a coworker. The five methods of gaining control over stressful situations are: 1. Cognitive reframing: Changing your perspective on a situation to reduce stress. 2. Problem-solving: Addressing the root cause of the stressor. 3. Time management: Organizing tasks to reduce feelings of being overwhelmed. 4. Social support: Seeking help and advice from friends, family, or support groups. 5. Relaxation techniques: Engaging in activities like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to calm the mind and body. 6. Explain how hardiness, optimism, spirituality, and rumination may influence responses to stress. Answer: Answers will vary but should contain the following information for full credit. Hardiness: Resilient people possess a set of attitudes called hardiness. Hardy people view change as a challenge rather than a threat, are committed to their life and work, and believe they can control events. Hardy individuals have the courage and motivation to confront stressors and engage in problem solving to contend with them. In addition, people with attitudes toward life reflected high levels of control, commitment, and challenge remained healthier than those whose attitudes didn’t. Optimism: Optimistic people are more productive, focused, persistent, and better at handling frustration than pessimists. Optimism is also associated with a lower mortality rate, a more vigorous immune response, lower distress in infertile women trying to have a child, better surgical outcomes, and fewer physical complaints. Spirituality: Spirituality is a search for the sacred, which may or may not extend to belief in God. Compared with nonreligious people, religious people have lower mortality rates, improved immune system functioning, lower blood pressure, and a greater ability to recover from illnesses, likely because of a prohibition of health risk behaviours in various religions (e.g., drinking, smoking, unsafe sex), social support from religious groups, and having a sense of purpose in life may enhance coping. Rumination: Some of us spend a great deal of time ruminating—focusing on how bad we feel and endlessly analyzing the causes and consequences of our problems. Individuals who ruminate tend to have higher heart rates and blood pressure following stressors, problems in romantic relationships, and higher rates of depression (especially in women). • Hardiness: People with high hardiness are more likely to view stressful situations as challenges rather than threats, leading to better coping mechanisms. • Optimism: Optimistic individuals tend to have a positive outlook on life, which can help them see stressful situations as temporary and manageable. • Spirituality: Spiritual beliefs can provide a sense of meaning and purpose, which may help individuals cope with stress by providing a sense of support and guidance. • Rumination: Excessive rumination, or constantly thinking about a stressor, can lead to increased feelings of stress and anxiety, making it harder to cope effectively. 7. Describe alternative and complementary medicine. Answer: Answers may vary but should contain the ideas listed below to earn full credit. • Alternative Medicine is a type of health care practices/products that replace conventional medicine. • Complementary Medicine is a type of health care practices/products used in addition to conventional medicine. Alternative and complementary medicine (CAM) refers to a broad range of medical practices and products that are not considered part of conventional medicine. These practices and products are used alongside, or in place of, conventional medical treatments. Examples of CAM include acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal remedies, yoga, meditation, and massage therapy. One key characteristic of CAM is that it often involves a holistic approach to health, focusing on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—rather than just treating the symptoms of a specific illness or condition. Many CAM practices are rooted in traditional medicine systems from around the world, such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda. CAM is often used by people seeking alternatives to conventional medicine, either because they believe it offers more natural or less invasive treatments, or because they have not found relief from conventional treatments. However, it's important to note that while some CAM practices have been studied and shown to be effective for certain conditions, others have not been rigorously tested or may not be safe for everyone. It's always advisable to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any CAM treatment, especially if you have a serious medical condition. 8. Describe and discuss the probable reasons for the apparent effectiveness of homeopathy and other unsupported alternative medical treatments. Answer: Answers will vary but should contain the following information for full credit. Not surprisingly, homeopathic remedies haven’t been shown to be effective for any medical condition. Nevertheless, some people who try homeopathic remedies claim to reap considerable benefits from them, as well as from other medical treatments that have little or no scientific support. Why is this so? Here are five probable reasons for the apparent effectiveness of homeopathy and other unsupported alternative medical treatments: (1) They produce a placebo effect. They instil hope but not much else. (2) People may assume that natural products like herbs and megavitamins improve their health because they perceive no adverse effects to counter this belief. (3) The symptoms of many physical disorders come and go, so consumers may attribute symptom relief to the treatment, rather than to changes in the natural course of the illness. (4) When alternative treatments accompany conventional treatments, people may attribute their improvement to the alternative treatment rather than to the less dramatic or interesting conventional treatment. (5) The problem may be misdiagnosed in the first place, so the condition isn’t as severe as initially believed. The apparent effectiveness of homeopathy and other unsupported alternative medical treatments often stems from the placebo effect, where belief in the treatment's efficacy can lead to perceived improvements in symptoms. Additionally, anecdotal evidence and personal testimonials can create a perception of effectiveness despite lacking scientific validation. Cultural factors and a desire for holistic or personalized care also contribute to their popularity despite limited empirical support. Fill in the Blank Questions 1. _______________ consists of the tension, discomfort, or physical symptoms that arise when a situation strains our ability to cope effectively. Answer: Stress 2. Alex is facing his first semester in college. Although he is the first member of his family to obtain a higher education, he is confident he will be successful. He has plans for how to spend his time studying and balancing a new social life. Alex is engaged in _______________. Answer: problem-focused coping. 3. Scientists study stress by measuring many physical responses to stress. One thing they measure is the release of stress hormones called ____________ Answer: corticosteroids. 4. Minor annoyances that bother us and our ability to cope are _______________. Answer: hassles. 5. Selye studied the effect of stress. He argued that we are sensitive to the environment and tend to kick into high gear in response to stressful situations. According to Selye, when Janice experiences a physical reaction in response to an upcoming exam, her pattern of responding to stress is called _______________. Answer: general adaptation syndrome (GAS). 6. According to Selye, we go through three stages in reaction to stress. Excitation of the autonomic nervous system, release of stress hormones, and physical symptoms of anxiety are part of the _______________ stage. Answer: alarm 7. After the initial physical reaction to a stressor, Sonya enters the second stage of Selye's general adaptation syndrome. This stage is known as ___________ Answer: resistance. 8. Jerome was very anxious about his final exam in General Psychology. The day of the exam, his heart rate was faster, his breathing was faster, and his hands were sweaty. As Jerome worked his way through the exam, he began to relax and focus on the questions. After the exam, Jerome went back to his dorm room and fell asleep. When he fell asleep, Jerome was in the _______________ stage of Selye's GAS. Answer: exhaustion 9. LaQuisha reacts to stress by reaching out to her friends and family. She is displaying the coping mechanism known as _____________ Answer: tend and befriend. 10. Ramon was in a serious car accident in which he was almost killed. Since recovering from his injuries, Ramon finds he has difficulty sleeping. He jumps at the slightest noise and he keeps remembering the details of the accident. Ramon is likely experiencing _______________. Answer: posttraumatic stress disorder. 11. Our _______________ protects us from illness by neutralizing or destroying harmful viruses. Answer: immune system 12. Andrew is very interested in the effects of positive emotions on illness. He is especially interested in the connection between the central nervous system and the immune system. Andrew wants to study _______________. Answer: psychoneuroimmunology. 13. Dr. Adams believes that illnesses are caused by a variety of factors. He believes that heart disease is caused by a combination of genetics, lifestyle, social support, and everyday stress. Dr. Adams takes the _______________ view of medicines. Answer: biopsychosocial 14. Coronary heart disease is the number one cause of death in North America. CHD is caused by a buildup of cholesterol in the arteries causing a condition known as _______________. Answer: atherosclerosis. 15. Melinda is a hard-working college student. She wants to finish at the top of her class at Harvard. She writes for the Harvard Law Review. In her spare time she donates time to the Innocence Project. Melinda has a _______________. Answer: Type A personality. 16. The Type A Personality trait that is most predictive of heart disease is __________ Answer: hostility. 17. Marlon always tries to anticipate possible problems and stressful events so that he can plan how to react. Marlon is displaying ____________ Answer: proactive coping. 18. Health psychology, which combines education, research, and psychological interventions to promote health, is also known as _______________. Answer: behavioural medicine. 19. Allison likes to attend off-campus parties on the weekend. She attends one almost every weekend and always drinks at least four beers. At least twice, Allison has suffered from a blackout. Allison is experiencing _______________. Answer: binge drinking (or heavy episodic drinking). 20. Dr. Simpson is treating Katherine for ulcers. Dr. Simpson prescribed a common acid- reducing drug. He also advised Katherine to practice deep breathing techniques three times each day and to massage certain areas on her feet every night. Dr. Simpson is practicing _______________. Answer: complementary medicine. 21. _______________ are health care professionals who manipulate the spine to treat pain-related conditions. Answer: Chiropractors 22. Jeremy is having his wisdom teeth removed. Jeremy is allergic to traditional medications use to numb the mouth during the procedure. As an alternative, Jeremy is choosing to control his pain by having needles inserted into his body to alter the flow of energy. Jeremy is using ____________ Answer: acupuncture. 23. Judging the similarity of two things based on resemblance is called the _____________ Answer: representativeness heuristic. 24. A treatment approach that relies on the representativeness heuristic and treats illness with a small dose of an illness-inducing substance is _______________. Answer: homeopathic medicine. Test Bank for Psychology: From Inquiry to Understanding Scott O. Lilienfeld, Steven J. Lynn, Laura L. Namy, Nancy J. Woolf, Kenneth M. Cramer, Rodney Schmaltz 9780205896110, 9780133793048, 9780133870282