PSYCH 111: Introduction to Psychology: Week 2: Chapter 14 Quizzes: Stress, Lifestyle, and Health

The Correct Answer is:

B. The airways become inflamed and constricted, obstructing airflow out of the lungs

Explanation:

Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, causing thickening of the airway walls, and tightening of the surrounding muscles, which narrows the air passages. This obstruction makes it difficult for the person to expel air from the lungs, leading to wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing, especially during the morning and night. The airway inflammation and constriction are the primary physiological changes responsible for these symptoms.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. The lungs lose elasticity, making it difficult to inhale air

This is incorrect because asthma primarily affects exhalation due to airway obstruction, not lung elasticity or inhalation.

C. The diaphragm weakens, causing irregular breathing patterns

This is incorrect because diaphragm function is generally unaffected in asthma; the breathing difficulty stems from airway obstruction, not muscular weakness.

D. The alveoli collapse, preventing oxygen exchange entirely

This is incorrect because asthma does not typically cause alveolar collapse; oxygen exchange may be impaired indirectly due to narrowed airways, but the alveoli themselves remain intact.

Correct Answer

B. Thoughtfully developed interventions can increase baseline happiness in long-lasting ways

Explanation

Research indicates that well-being interventions, such as daily exercises that focus on positive events, can raise baseline levels of happiness for extended periods. For example, writing down three good things that happen each day has been shown to produce increases in happiness that last for at least six months. These findings suggest that happiness is not entirely fixed and that deliberate, structured activities can create enduring improvements in subjective well-being.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

A. Happiness levels are entirely fixed and cannot be changed

Studies demonstrate that targeted interventions can increase baseline happiness, so it is not entirely fixed.

C. Temporary pleasures, like eating favorite foods, are the only way to boost happiness

Short-term pleasures can elevate mood temporarily, but they do not produce lasting changes in baseline happiness.

D. Happiness interventions are only effective at the societal level, not for individuals

Research shows that individual-level interventions, such as writing exercises, can effectively increase happiness, making this statement incorrect.

Correct Answer:

d. Humphrey judges the man with the gun to be a moderate threat.

Explanation

The correct answer is d. A primary appraisal refers to an individual’s initial evaluation of a stressor, determining whether it is irrelevant, a challenge, or a threat. Humphrey’s immediate judgment of the man with the gun as a moderate threat represents this process of evaluating the seriousness and nature of the stressor before considering potential coping strategies.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

a. Mekhi weighs his options on dealing with the bully who is harassing him.

This reflects a secondary appraisal, where the individual evaluates possible coping strategies or resources for managing the stressor. It goes beyond identifying the situation as a threat.

b. Sophia decides to get a divorce because her husband is cheating on her.

This is a decision and behavioral response to stress, not a primary appraisal. A primary appraisal would involve initially evaluating whether her husband’s actions are harmful or threatening to her well-being.

c. Ava decides to quit her job because her employer is so unpleasant.

Similar to option b, this is an outcome of appraisal and coping. The decision to quit is a coping action, not the initial evaluation of whether the unpleasant work environment is harmful or threatening.

Correct Answer:

c. challenge; threat

Explanation

The correct answer is c. In stress appraisal theory, individuals interpret stressors as either challenges or threats. A challenge is seen as an opportunity for growth, learning, or gain, whereas a threat is viewed as potential harm or loss. Heather’s focus on promotions and salary reflects a positive, growth-oriented appraisal, making her interpretation a challenge rather than a threat.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

a. Type A stressor; Type B stressor

There is no such categorization as Type A or Type B stressors in psychology. Type A and Type B are behavior patterns, not classifications of stressors. This option misapplies the terminology.

b. distress; eustress

Distress is negative stress, and eustress is positive stress. While this might seem plausible, the wording of the question emphasizes appraisal—how Heather views the situation as a challenge versus a threat—not the valence of stress itself.

d. hassle; major life event

Hassles are minor, everyday irritations, while major life events are significant changes. A new job is clearly a major life event, not a hassle. This choice does not fit the situation’s scale or Heather’s positive appraisal.

Correct Answer:

c. cognitive

Explanation

The correct answer is c. Cognitive impacts of stress involve disruptions in mental processes such as attention, memory, decision-making, and concentration. Prolonged stress interferes with how the brain—especially the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus—functions, leading to difficulty focusing and retaining information. This demonstrates how stress undermines thinking and learning ability.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

a. emotional

An emotional impact would include irritability, anxiety, or sadness. While stress does cause these, difficulty concentrating is not an emotional response but a cognitive one.

b. physical

Physical impacts of stress include headaches, high blood pressure, or fatigue. An inability to concentrate is not a physical symptom, making this choice incorrect.

d. social

A social impact would involve problems in relationships, isolation, or increased conflict with others. Difficulty concentrating is an internal mental effect, not a disruption in social functioning.

Correct Answer:

d. B

Explanation

The correct answer is d. Type B. A Type B behavior pattern is characterized by a relaxed, patient, noncompetitive, and easy-going nature. Individuals with this personality style generally handle stress well, avoid excessive hostility, and do not feel the same urgency or pressure as those with Type A traits. Lydia’s calm, laid-back demeanor and lack of competitiveness align perfectly with Type B personality characteristics.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

a. Type A

Type A individuals are competitive, ambitious, aggressive, and often impatient. They are more likely to experience anger and hostility and are at higher risk for stress-related health problems. Lydia’s relaxed attitude does not reflect these traits.

b. Type C

Type C personality is marked by passivity, compliance, and difficulty expressing emotions, especially negative ones. People with this type may be overly cooperative and suppress their feelings, often linked to poor coping strategies. Lydia’s description doesn’t highlight this.

c. Type D

Type D personality is associated with distress, negative emotions, and social inhibition. Individuals often experience chronic worry, irritability, and fear of rejection. Lydia’s easy-going and non-hostile outlook is the opposite of this behavior pattern.

Correct Answer

B. A highly engaging state in which individuals are fully absorbed in an activity, losing track of time and self-consciousness

Explanation

Flow is a state of deep engagement in an activity that is intrinsically rewarding. When experiencing flow, individuals maintain effortless concentration, feel a sense of control over their actions, and often lose awareness of time. Flow typically occurs during activities that are challenging yet match a person’s skills, leading to a pleasurable and fulfilling experience. It is strongly linked to creativity, productivity, and overall well-being.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

A. A state of relaxation achieved through meditation and passive reflection

This is incorrect because flow involves active engagement, concentration, and skillful challenge, unlike the passive nature of meditation or relaxation exercises.

C. A temporary feeling of happiness resulting from material rewards or external recognition

Flow is intrinsic and arises from the activity itself, not from external rewards or recognition, making this option inaccurate.

D. A form of social bonding achieved by interacting with friends and family

While social activities can induce flow, the experience is defined by individual absorption in a challenging activity, not by social interaction alone.

Correct Answer:

D. Latricia has been lost in the woods for days. After such a long period of anxiety and fear, Latricia collapses by a tree.

Explanation

The correct answer is D. The exhaustion stage of the general adaptation syndrome occurs when prolonged exposure to stress depletes the body’s resources. At this stage, the body can no longer resist the stressor, leading to fatigue, collapse, or increased susceptibility to illness. Latricia’s collapse after enduring extended anxiety and fear in the woods perfectly illustrates this stage of complete depletion.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

A. Burt is determined to learn how to play chess, so he spends all his time reading chess books.

This is not related to stress at all. Burt’s behavior reflects motivation and focus on a new skill, not a physiological or psychological response to stress.

B. Betty steps down as class treasurer her senior year because she needs to focus on her grades.

This represents decision-making and prioritization, not the exhaustion stage. Betty is actively choosing to reduce responsibilities, which is a coping strategy rather than collapse from stress.

C. Maria has exhausted all possible options in thinking through what can be done when she gets alarming news about the results of a medical test.

While Maria may feel mentally drained, this is more about problem-solving and rumination than a physical or physiological collapse. Exhaustion in the GAS model refers to the body’s depletion of resources, not just mental fatigue.

Correct Answer

C. Daily hassles

Explanation

Daily hassles are the routine, minor irritations and inconveniences of everyday life that can accumulate and contribute to stress. Paul’s experience—waiting in line, dealing with insufficient funds, returning home, and facing traffic—represents multiple small, irritating events that are temporary but frequent, making them classic examples of daily hassles.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

A. Chronic stressors

Chronic stressors involve long-term, persistent sources of stress, such as ongoing financial difficulties or a high-pressure job, not temporary inconveniences like Paul experienced.

B. Acute stressors

Acute stressors are short-term but significant stress events, such as a sudden accident or an unexpected emergency; Paul’s situation is irritating but not severe.

D. Readjustment occurrences

Readjustment occurrences involve major life changes requiring adaptation, such as moving, changing jobs, or divorce, which is more significant than the minor events Paul faced