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

Correct Answer:

d. Eustress

Explanation

The correct answer is d. Eustress is the beneficial form of stress that motivates individuals, enhances focus, and supports optimal health and performance. Unlike distress, which is harmful and overwhelming, eustress pushes people to grow, take on challenges, and reach goals. It is typically linked with feelings of excitement, accomplishment, and satisfaction, making it an important factor in productivity and well-being.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

a. Peak experiences

Peak experiences are intense moments of joy or fulfillment described in humanistic psychology, but they are not a type of stress. They refer to profound life experiences rather than stress-related responses.

b. Distress

Distress is negative stress that is harmful, overwhelming, and associated with poor physical and mental health outcomes. It leads to decreased performance and is the opposite of eustress.

c. Anastress

Anastress is not a recognized category of stress in psychology. The two main classifications are eustress (positive) and distress (negative), making this option inaccurate.

The Correct Answer is:

A. Social support reduces stress, which in turn enhances immune system functioning in individuals under stress

Explanation:

Social support helps individuals manage stress, and reduced stress has a direct positive effect on immune system functioning. Studies have shown that people reporting higher social support—such as spouses of cancer patients or caregivers—exhibit better immune responses compared to those with lower social support. This indicates that social connections can buffer stress-related immune suppression and contribute to overall health.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

B. Social support directly prevents infections

This is incorrect because social support does not act directly on pathogens; its effect is mediated through stress reduction, which supports immune functioning.

C. Social support only improves immune functioning in cancer patients

This is incorrect; research shows similar benefits across diverse populations, including caregivers, medical students, and elderly adults.

D. Social support weakens the immune system

This is incorrect because social support reduces stress, which strengthens rather than weakens immune functioning.

The Correct Answer is:

B. Cardiovascular disorders, including heart disease, are central in the study of stress-related physical conditions due to the system’s key role in the stress response

Explanation:

The cardiovascular system, consisting of the heart and blood vessels, is a primary system affected by stress. Stress activates physiological mechanisms such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, which over time can contribute to cardiovascular disorders, including heart disease. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in developed countries, making it a major focus of psychophysiological research. Understanding stress’s impact on this system helps explain how psychological factors can exacerbate physical illness.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. The cardiovascular system is rarely affected by stress and is unrelated to heart disease

This is incorrect because stress directly influences cardiovascular functioning, and chronic stress contributes to heart disease risk.

C. The cardiovascular system only affects stress indirectly through the immune system

This is incorrect because the cardiovascular system responds directly to stress via mechanisms like heart rate acceleration and blood pressure increases.

D. Heart disease is not considered a psychophysiological disorder because it is entirely genetic

This is incorrect because while genetics play a role, stress and emotional factors significantly influence the onset and progression of heart disease, classifying it as psychophysiological.

Correct Answer

B. Religiosity is positively correlated with happiness, especially in societies with difficult living conditions

Explanation

Research indicates that religiosity generally correlates with higher levels of happiness and well-being. This relationship is particularly strong in societies facing challenging living conditions, such as widespread poverty, hunger, or low life expectancy. In these contexts, religious beliefs provide coping mechanisms, social support, and a sense of purpose, which enhance well-being. In contrast, in societies with favorable living conditions, religious and nonreligious individuals report similar levels of happiness.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

A. Religiosity is universally unrelated to happiness

Studies demonstrate that religiosity does influence happiness, particularly under difficult societal circumstances, so it is inaccurate to claim there is no correlation.

C. Religiosity only increases happiness in wealthy nations with high life expectancy

Research shows the opposite: religiosity has a stronger impact in nations with more challenging living conditions, not in wealthy, high-life-expectancy nations.

D. Religiosity negatively impacts happiness in all societies

Evidence consistently shows that religiosity does not reduce happiness; it either increases well-being or has no significant effect depending on societal conditions.

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. dimension 1 - exhaustion

Explanation

The correct answer is b. Exhaustion is the first dimension of burnout and reflects overwhelming physical and emotional fatigue. Anna’s feelings of dread about work, her urge to avoid students, and her sense of having nothing left to give highlight emotional depletion. Exhaustion is often the earliest and most recognizable stage of burnout, as it signals that coping resources are fully drained.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

a. dimension 4 - giving up

“Giving up” is not a recognized dimension of burnout. The established framework includes three dimensions: exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment. Therefore, this option is invalid and not applicable to Anna’s situation.

c. dimension 2 - depersonalization

Depersonalization involves distancing oneself emotionally from clients or colleagues, often showing cynicism or detachment. Anna does not demonstrate coldness or treating students impersonally; instead, she feels drained and unable to continue, which indicates exhaustion.

d. dimension 3 - diminished personal accomplishment

This dimension is characterized by a reduced sense of competence, achievement, or effectiveness at work. While Anna is struggling emotionally, her statements focus on fatigue and depletion rather than feelings of inadequacy, so this option does not best describe her experience.

Correct Answer

B. Understanding and promoting human strengths, well-being, and happiness

Explanation

Positive psychology is a field that emphasizes the study of human strengths, virtues, and factors that contribute to fulfillment and happiness. Rather than focusing on pathology or deficits, it investigates qualities like courage, empathy, creativity, perseverance, and love, aiming to enhance well-being, satisfaction, and life meaning. This approach seeks to promote authentic happiness both at the individual and societal levels.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

A. Diagnosing mental disorders and treating psychological pathology

This describes traditional clinical psychology, not positive psychology, which focuses on enhancing strengths rather than treating disorders.

C. Identifying faults and weaknesses to prevent negative outcomes

Positive psychology deliberately moves away from emphasizing faults or deficits, instead promoting positive traits and experiences.

D. Studying only the biological basis of emotions and behavior

Although biology may be considered, positive psychology is broader, focusing on subjective experiences, virtues, and well-being rather than solely biological processes.

The Correct Answer is:

B. Acute stressors are brief, intense events, while chronic stressors are long-term, ongoing stressors

Explanation:

Acute stressors are short-term events that trigger an immediate physiological and psychological response, such as a traffic accident or an argument. They typically resolve quickly once the stressor passes. In contrast, chronic stressors are persistent and ongoing, such as financial difficulties, a high-demand job, or caregiving responsibilities, and they continuously tax the body and mind. Chronic stress can lead to long-term health consequences, including cardiovascular disease, weakened immunity, and psychological disorders, because the stress response remains active over time.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A. Acute stressors are long-term and persistent, while chronic stressors are brief and time-limited

This is incorrect because it reverses the definitions; acute stressors are brief, and chronic stressors are long-term.

C. Acute stressors have no physiological impact, while chronic stressors always cause illness

This is incorrect because both acute and chronic stressors trigger physiological responses, though chronic stress is more likely to produce long-term health problems.

D. Acute stressors occur only in occupational settings, while chronic stressors occur only in personal life

This is incorrect because both acute and chronic stressors can occur in any domain of life, including work, personal, or social settings.

Correct Answer:

b. high levels of job strain

Explanation

The correct answer is b. High levels of job strain are common in occupations with high demands and low control over tasks or work pace. Factory workers, cashiers, and short-order cooks face constant pressure to perform quickly and accurately, often under time constraints, while having little autonomy or decision-making power. These conditions increase stress, which can harm both physical and mental health.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

a. low levels of social interaction

These jobs often involve frequent interaction with customers or coworkers, so they do not typically reflect low social interaction. In fact, constant social engagement can add to stress in roles like cashiering or serving.

c. minimal physical demand

Factory work and short-order cooking involve significant physical activity, such as lifting, standing for long hours, or moving quickly. These roles are not defined by minimal physical demand.

d. high levels of job satisfaction

While some individuals may enjoy these jobs, research shows that high job strain often reduces satisfaction due to repetitive tasks, low control, and high pressure. Thus, they are more associated with stress than satisfaction.