Question 1

Optimism is linked with

Accepted Answer

Optimism is linked with enhanced immune functioning. Studies have shown that optimistic people have better immune system function and are better able to fight off illness and disease compared to those who are pessimistic.

Question 2

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 away, onto the shelf. According to research about the suppression of emotions, what is the most likely outcome of Brenda's coping style?

Accepted Answer

Research on emotion suppression suggests that pushing emotions away can lead to negative emotions returning even stronger in the future. It is also possible that the avoidance of reminders could lead to a lack of processing and resolution of the trauma, potentially causing long-term negative effects.

Question 3

Melissa's mother was recently diagnosed with cancer. As a result, Melissa is now required to take care of all of her mother's personal needs and manage her financial affairs. This is a stressful situation, on top of Melissa's full-time job and care for her young children. However, Melissa has an attitude that she is doing what she needs to do for her loved ones. She is confident that she will get through this crisis. Melissa is displaying

Accepted Answer

Melissa is displaying hardiness, which is the ability to maintain a sense of control and commitment in the face of stress. She is taking on new responsibilities and challenges with a positive attitude and determination to get through the crisis. This resilience is a key aspect of hardiness. Options A and B may be partially correct, but do not capture the full scope of Melissa's attitude and behavior. Option D, rumination, is not the best choice because Melissa is not dwelling on negative thoughts or emotions, but rather taking action and focusing on the positive aspects of her situation.

Question 4

Darci wants to go to medical school. She has high grades, but she is stressed with having to take the MCAT exam that is required for all applicants. To reduce this stress, she signed up for MCAT prep classes, so that she will know what to expect. Darci is engaging in

Accepted Answer

Proactive coping involves taking action in advance to prevent or minimize potential stressors. By signing up for MCAT prep classes, Darci is taking proactive steps to prepare herself for the exam and reduce her stress levels.

Question 5

Crisis debriefing following a traumatic event isn't effective and may worsen traumatic responses likely because

Accepted Answer

Crisis debriefing following a traumatic event may worsen traumatic responses because interfering with people's natural coping strategies can disrupt their ability to process the experience, leading to greater distress. It may also create a sense of being overwhelmed and can make people feel forced to deal with their trauma, causing them to become defensive and angry. Research suggests that providing social support and allowing individuals to pursue their own coping strategies may be more effective in promoting recovery after a traumatic event.

Question 6

Jon has an upcoming exam that is stressing him out. He chooses to engage in proactive coping and uses the study guide so that he knows what to expect with the exam questions. What type of control is Jon using to manage his stress?

Accepted Answer

Jon is using informational control by using the study guide to gather information and know what to expect with the exam questions.

Question 7

Katie and Jessica were injured when a massive tornado ripped through their town. Katie worked hard to suppress her negative emotions of the event, whereas Jessica accepted it as a horrible thing that is past, and cannot be changed. According to the concept of flexible coping, which of the following outcomes is most likely?

Accepted Answer

According to the concept of flexible coping, both suppressing and accepting negative emotions can lead to difficulties in coping with traumatic events. However, those who are able to actively confront and work through their emotions tend to have better outcomes. Therefore, it is likely that Katie, who suppressed her emotions, will have difficulty dealing with her experience, whereas Jessica, who accepted the event, will be able to successfully deal with it.

Question 8

Research on crisis debriefing and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suggests that

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research on crisis debriefing and posttraumatic stress...

Question 9

In comparison to nonreligious people, religious individuals have

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently shown that religious individuals have lower mortality rates and lower blood pressure compared to nonreligious individuals. This may be due to the social support and community involvement often associated with religious groups, as well as the potential positive effects of prayer and belief on physical health.

Question 10

Procedures that encourage catharsis, like punching a pillow or venting about negative feelings, can be helpful or can sometimes lead to more stress in the long term. Under what conditions does catharsis make anxiety or distress worse?

Accepted Answer

Catharsis may worsen anxiety or distress when the situation is one that cannot be changed because it can lead to a sense of hopelessness and feeling stuck in the negative emotions. Venting or punching a pillow may briefly release tension, but it does not address the root cause of the problem. In situations where change is not possible, it may be more helpful to focus on acceptance and coping strategies. The other options (A, B, and D) do not seem to be related to how catharsis can make anxiety or distress worse.

Question 11

Tad seems to thrive when faced with difficult challenges and usually feels in control of his life. He would probably be labelled a ________ personality.

Accepted Answer

Tad's ability to thrive in difficult situations and feeling in control suggests that he has a hardy personality. Hardy personalities are characterized by a sense of control, commitment, and challenge as they view stressful situations as opportunities for growth and development. Type C personality is associated with feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, Type B personality is characterized as laid-back and easy-going, and stressed personality is not a recognized personality type.

Question 12

Compared to pessimists, optimists tend to be more

Accepted Answer

Optimists tend to be persistent because they believe that their efforts will lead to positive outcomes, whereas pessimists may give up easily due to their belief that nothing they do will make a difference. This persistence can lead to greater productivity. Studies have also shown that optimists have better physical health outcomes than pessimists, suggesting that they are not more vulnerable to illness (choice A). Additionally, optimists may be less sensitive to anxiety or frustration than pessimists because they have a more positive outlook and believe in their ability to overcome challenges, not less (choice B). Finally, optimists may not necessarily see the "reality" of their situation in a pessimistic or negative light, but rather they may choose to focus on the positive aspects and potential solutions.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Adena’s ability to find something positive in a negative situation is a characteristic of optimism, which is the tendency to remain hopeful and confident about and in favorable outcomes.

Question 14

Which of the following is associated with a lower risk of heart failure, and a lower risk of depression after a heart attack?

Accepted Answer

Being an optimist is associated with a lower risk of heart failure and lower risk of depression after a heart attack.

Question 15

Which of the following terms is used to describe the process of disclosing painful feelings or releasing negative emotions through yelling or punching a pillow?

Accepted Answer

Catharsis refers to the process of releasing and venting negative emotions, such as anger or frustration, in order to alleviate psychological distress. This release can occur in various ways, including shouting or hitting a pillow.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

The set of attitudes described in the question is known as hardiness. Hardiness is characterized by a belief in one's ability to control events, a commitment to finding meaning and purpose in life and work, and a willingness to confront stressful events with a sense of motivation and courage. Self-enhancement refers to a tendency to focus on one's strengths and positive qualities and downplay weaknesses, while proactive integration refers to actively incorporating new experiences and information into one's self-concept. Rumination is a negative thought pattern characterized by repetitive and self-focused thinking about past negative events or emotions.

Question 17

________ is the search for the sacred, which may or may not extend to belief in God.

Accepted Answer

Spirituality is the search for the sacred, which can be a personal quest for meaning and purpose, and doesn't necessarily require belief in God. Atheism is the rejection of belief in God or gods, and while it might involve a search for meaning, it wouldn't fall under the category of spirituality as commonly understood. Optimism and humanism relate to different philosophical outlooks and don't necessarily involve a search for the sacred.

Question 18

Julia signed up for an online dating website in order to meet potential partners. 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 interests. What type of control is Julia engaging in?

Accepted Answer

Julia is engaging in informational control by asking a lot of questions to gather information about the person's personality, values, and interests before agreeing to meet for a date.

Question 19

Procedures that encourage catharsis, like punching a pillow or venting about negative feelings, can be helpful or can sometimes lead to more stress in the long term. Under what conditions does catharsis help us to deal with stress?

Accepted Answer

Procedures that include problem solving or making changes can actually help to address the source of the stress, rather than just temporarily relieving the feelings of stress through catharsis. It can lead to long-term benefits in coping with stress. The other options (B, C and D) may be helpful in certain situations, but do not necessarily address the root cause of the stress.

Question 20

Hardiness is closely associated with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Hardiness is defined as a personality trait that involves a combination of three attitudes: a sense of control, commitment, and challenge. People who are high in hardiness are more resilient and able to cope with stressors effectively. They have a lower tendency towards anxiety-proneness, which means that they are less likely to experience anxiety or depression. There is no strong evidence linking hardiness with coronary heart disease or cancer risk.

Quiz 12: Stress, Coping, and Health