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

Correct Answer:

b. A burst of energy enables Hassan to run fast when he sees a skunk in his path.

Explanation

The correct answer is b. The alarm reaction stage of the general adaptation syndrome is the body’s immediate response to a stressor, often called the “fight-or-flight” response. When Hassan sees a skunk, his sympathetic nervous system activates, releasing adrenaline and giving him a sudden burst of energy to flee quickly. This represents the body’s initial mobilization of resources in response to an immediate threat.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

a. William sleepwalks when he eats too much candy before bed.

This is not related to the stages of stress. Sleepwalking is a sleep disorder and has nothing to do with the alarm reaction, which involves physiological activation in response to stress.

c. Sheila almost drowned, but she was able to keep her head out of the water and focus on swimming to shore.

This reflects the resistance stage, where the body sustains its effort and energy to cope with a stressor after the initial alarm reaction. Sheila is maintaining focus and energy to survive, not just reacting initially.

d. Bill collapses by the side of the road after the marathon.

This reflects the exhaustion stage of the general adaptation syndrome. After prolonged stress and exertion, Bill’s body’s resources are depleted, leading to collapse and fatigue. It is not the immediate alarm stage.

The Correct Answer is:

B. Tension headaches result from facial and neck muscle tightening and can be worsened by stress

Explanation:

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache worldwide, caused by tightening or tensing of facial and neck muscles. Stress contributes to these headaches by increasing sensitivity to pain, lowering the pain threshold, and exacerbating muscular tension. Factors such as poor posture, sleep deprivation, and skipping meals also contribute, but stress is a key factor that can trigger or worsen tension headaches.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. Tension headaches are caused by inflammation of blood vessels and primarily affect one side of the head

This describes migraines, not tension headaches. Migraines involve vascular changes and are often unilateral, unlike tension headaches.

C. Tension headaches are rare, affecting less than 1% of the population annually

This is incorrect because tension headaches are very common, affecting over one-third of the U.S. population each year.

D. Tension headaches are caused by sinus infections and result in pain in the cheeks and forehead

This describes sinus headaches, which are distinct from tension headaches in both cause and symptom location.

The Correct Answer is:

B. Happiness can be seen from multiple perspectives, including spiritual fulfillment, contentment, and engaging personal activities

Explanation:

Happiness is a multifaceted concept. Some people define it in terms of spirituality and virtue, others as contentment and inner peace, and still others as pleasurable engagement with meaningful activities like hobbies or work. These perspectives emphasize different aspects of happiness, but all reflect valid ways people experience and pursue this positive state. Psychological research recognizes this diversity in defining and understanding happiness.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. Happiness is a single, universally agreed-upon state defined by pleasure alone

This is incorrect because happiness is not universally defined by pleasure alone; it includes contentment, spirituality, and engagement.

C. Happiness is only achieved through material wealth and social recognition

This is incorrect because research shows that internal factors, relationships, and meaningful activities contribute more reliably to happiness than external rewards alone.

D. Happiness is an ambiguous concept that cannot be experienced or measured in any form

This is incorrect because, although definitions vary, people clearly experience happiness and it can be measured using psychological assessments and self-reports.

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

B. Family life, fulfilling marriage, and strong social relationships

Explanation

Research consistently shows that happiness is closely linked to social connections. Individuals who report satisfaction with family life and marriages, along with having strong social support networks and frequent contact with friends, tend to experience higher levels of sustained joy and contentment. Social relationships are considered one of the most powerful predictors of long-term happiness.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

A. Wealth and material possessions

While money can provide comfort and reduce stress, it is only weakly correlated with long-term happiness once basic needs are met. Material wealth alone does not reliably predict enduring joy.

C. Physical attractiveness and career success

These factors may influence short-term self-esteem or life satisfaction, but they do not consistently predict long-term happiness across studies.

D. Frequent vacations and leisure activities

Enjoyable activities contribute to transient positive moods but have less impact on sustained happiness compared with strong social bonds and relationships.

Correct Answer:

a. fight-or-flight

Explanation

The correct answer is a. The fight-or-flight response is the body’s immediate physiological reaction to a perceived threat. It is triggered by activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the release of stress hormones like adrenaline. The result is dilated pupils, increased heart rate, sweating, and heightened alertness—all designed to prepare the body to either confront (fight) or escape (flight) the danger. Jade’s reaction perfectly illustrates this classic stress response.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

b. eustress-distress

Eustress and distress describe types of stress (positive vs. negative) rather than a physiological response pattern. Jade’s bodily reactions are not about evaluating the stress as good or bad—they are about preparing for immediate survival.

c. emotion-threat

This is not a recognized term in stress research. While emotions are certainly involved in Jade’s fear, the physiological changes she experiences are best described as part of the fight-or-flight response, not “emotion-threat.”

d. social supportive

Social support refers to seeking comfort, help, or resources from others when under stress. Jade’s experience is an automatic physiological reaction to a threat, not the use of social support as a coping strategy.

The Correct Answer is:

B. Minor irritations and annoyances that occur in everyday life and can accumulate to produce significant stress

Explanation:

Daily hassles refer to the routine, minor stressors people encounter, such as traffic, lost items, arguments, or unpleasant coworkers. Although individually these events may seem trivial, their cumulative effect can be as stressful as major life events. Continuous exposure to these minor stressors can elevate physiological arousal, affect mood, and contribute to both mental and physical health problems, demonstrating that stress is not limited to major life changes.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. Rare, extreme life events that have long-term health consequences

This is incorrect because daily hassles are common, minor events, not rare or extreme occurrences.

C. Only positive events that require personal readjustment, such as holidays or promotions

This is incorrect because daily hassles are typically negative or annoying events, not positive life changes.

D. Stressors that exclusively affect physical health without impacting psychological well-being

This is incorrect because daily hassles affect both mental and physical health, not just the body.

Correct Answer:

B. Evaluation of the options available to cope with a stressor and the perceived effectiveness of those options

Explanation:

Secondary appraisal occurs after a stressor is perceived as threatening. It involves evaluating one’s resources, strategies, and abilities to manage or respond to the stressor, as well as judging how effective those coping options are likely to be. For example, a student facing final exams may assess whether their study plan, time management, and support systems are sufficient to handle the challenge. Secondary appraisal determines the coping strategies a person chooses and influences emotional responses to stress.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. Judgment about the degree of potential harm or threat posed by a stressor

This describes primary appraisal, which evaluates the stressor itself rather than coping options.

C. Ignoring the stressor and avoiding any consideration of coping strategies

Avoidance is a behavioral response, not part of the appraisal process.

D. Assessment of long-term personality traits unrelated to the stressor

Secondary appraisal focuses specifically on the stressor and coping mechanisms, not general personality characteristics.

Correct Answer:

b. coping

Explanation

The correct answer is b. Coping refers to the mental and behavioral strategies people use to manage both external stressors and the internal emotional responses they produce. Coping can be problem-focused, aiming to address the cause of stress, or emotion-focused, aimed at regulating distressing feelings. It is a flexible process that helps people adapt to challenges and maintain psychological and physical well-being.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

a. autopilot

Autopilot refers to doing things automatically or habitually without much conscious thought. While it may reduce effort, it is not a strategy for managing stress or emotions, so it does not fit the definition.

c. distress

Distress is negative stress that overwhelms a person’s coping abilities and leads to harmful outcomes. It describes the state of being stressed, not the strategies used to manage stress.

d. biofeedback

Biofeedback is a stress-reduction technique that uses electronic monitoring to help individuals gain control over involuntary physiological processes. While it is a tool for stress management, it is not the general term for the mental and behavioral efforts used to cope with stress.