Question 1

Which of the following statements regarding the nature of stress is correct?
A) Routine hassles may have significant negative effects on mental and physical health.
B) Major stressful events make up the majority of events that are stressful.
C) Most people effectively deal with everyday stress through the use of defense mechanisms.
D) Minor stressors always produce minor effects.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that routine, everyday stressors (such as traffic, work deadlines, arguments with a spouse, etc.) can have significant negative effects on mental and physical health, often more so than major stressful events. Defense mechanisms, while potentially helpful in some situations, are not a universally effective coping mechanism for everyday stressors. Finally, minor stressors can have varying effects on individuals, and the impact can depend on factors such as coping resources and support systems.

Question 2

Secondary appraisal involves
A) making plans to avoid the situation.
B) tapping into your defense mechanisms.
C) determining if the threat is irrelevant to you.
D) evaluating your coping resources and options for dealing with stress.

Accepted Answer

Secondary appraisal involves evaluating one's coping resources and options for dealing with stress. It is a process of assessing whether one has the ability and resources to cope with the stressful situation or not. Options may include seeking social support, problem-solving, or using relaxation techniques. Choices A and C involve avoidance and denial, while B refers to defense mechanisms which are used in the face of stress, but not necessarily during secondary appraisal.

Question 3

The notion that "stress lies in the eye of the beholder" suggests that
A) coping strategies tend to vary from individual to individual.
B) people's appraisals of stressful events are highly subjective.
C) there are certain events that just about everyone finds stressful.
D) the appraisal of stress generally involves the use of visual imagery.

Accepted Answer

The phrase "stress lies in the eye of the beholder" implies that individuals may have different appraisals of what constitutes stress. It suggests that stress is highly subjective and depends on an individual's perception of a particular event or situation. Therefore, choice B is the best answer. Choices A, C, and D do not accurately reflect the meaning of the phrase.

Question 4

Tonya is a new researcher in a marketing company. She, like the others, is vigilant about the e-mails that she receives from the CEO. Any time she sees a new e-mail from the CEO in her inbox, she dreads opening the e-mail. This week, she opened an email and found that she was addressed in the email about an analysis that she had completed incorrectly; Tonya had no idea how to do the analysis but had hurried to submit something without checking. Tonya's direct supervisor was copied on the e-mail. In this case, Tonya MOST LIKELY made which of the following conclusions?
A) Primary appraisal: "This matter is relevant but not threatening."
B) Primary appraisal: "This matter is stressful."
C) Secondary appraisal: "I can handle this stress."
D) Secondary appraisal: "This matter is irrelevant."

Accepted Answer

Tonya would likely make a primary appraisal that the matter is stressful, as she would perceive the email as a potential threat to her job or reputation. She may then make a secondary appraisal, potentially thinking about how much stress this situation will cause her and whether she has the resources or ability to handle it. However, the situation described in the question does not give enough information to definitively choose a secondary appraisal choice.

Question 5

Everyday hassles have been found to be predictive of mental and physical health.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that frequent exposure to everyday hassles can lead to an increase in stress and negative emotions, which can in turn have negative effects on both mental and physical health.

Question 6

Acute stressors
A) are threatening events that have a relatively short duration and clear endpoint.
B) are unpleasant environmental conditions to which one must adjust.
C) are conditions that have a relatively long duration and no apparent time limit.
D) always lead to physical illness.

Accepted Answer

Acute stressors are defined as threatening events that have a relatively short duration and a clear endpoint. Examples can include a sudden loss or receiving bad news, but they do not necessarily lead to physical illness.

Question 7

Studies show that the discrepancy between what individuals expect before immigrating and what they actually experience once they do immigrate is related to the amount of_____ they report.
A) discrimination
B) wealth
C) acculturation stress
D) social support

Accepted Answer

The term "acculturation stress" refers to the psychological and emotional challenges that arise when individuals need to adapt to a new culture. Studies have shown that a significant factor influencing this stress is the discrepancy between pre-migration expectations and post-migration reality. Individuals who experience a significant gap between their expectations and actual experiences are more likely to report acculturation stress. This stress can manifest in a variety of ways, including depression, anxiety, and physical health issues. Social support, discrimination, and wealth may also play a role in an individual's adjustment to a new culture, but they are not directly related to the discrepancy between expectations and reality.

Question 8

Ismelda was born in Mexico, and she and her family immigrated to the United States when she was a child. She is the first in her family to attend college; she grew up bilingual and bicultural in a diverse area of Southern California. Based on this background, which of the following is MOST likely a significant cause of stress for Ismelda? 
A) Covert discrimination.
B) Overt interracial conflict.
C) Acculturation.
D) Effects of modernization.

Accepted Answer

Acculturation, or the process of adapting to a different culture, is likely a significant cause of stress for Ismelda. Growing up bilingual and bicultural means that she may have experienced conflicts or difficulties reconciling the culture she was born into and the culture she was raised in. Additionally, being the first in her family to attend college may also pose challenges related to navigating unfamiliar cultural and academic environments. Covert discrimination and overt interracial conflict may also cause stress, but there is no information provided in the passage to suggest that Ismelda has experienced these particular types of stressors. Effects of modernization are also not mentioned and are unlikely to be a significant cause of stress for Ismelda.

Question 9

People who live in areas prone to earthquakes or hurricanes experience less stress because they are used to natural disasters.

Accepted Answer

This statement is incorrect. People who live in areas prone to natural disasters may experience more stress due to the constant threat of these events. The frequency of such events may lead to an increased sense of anxiety and worry, as well as potentially experiencing the traumatic effects of the disasters themselves.

Question 10

Primary appraisal is an initial evaluation of whether an event is
A) imminent.
B) detrimental to one's health.
C) relevant and stressful.
D) expected.

Accepted Answer

Primary appraisal is the first step in the stress response, in which an individual evaluates whether an event is relevant and stressful, and therefore requires a response. The other choices do not fully capture the essence of primary appraisal.

Question 11

According to a poll by the APA (2015),__________were the top three reported stressors.
A) romantic relationships, career challenges, and finances
B) work, money, and the economy
C) student loans, housing, and gas prices
D) finances, personal relationships, and global warming

Accepted Answer

The APA poll in 2015 found that work, money, and the economy were the top three stressors reported by participants. Therefore, option B is the correct choice. Option A and D include stressors related to personal relationships and global warming which were not reported to be top stressors in the APA poll. Option C includes stressors that were not specifically mentioned in the poll.

Question 12

Roger grew up in a quiet rural area, and now he is getting ready for the move to New York City. His campus is in the city, and he will be riding the subway from his walk-up apartment in Brooklyn. Roger is somewhat familiar with navigating the city; he and his family have visited New York every winter as long as he can remember. Based on this information, which of the following is Roger MOST likely to experience? 
A) acute stress.
B) traumatic stress.
C) ambient stress.
D) rational stress.

Accepted Answer

Roger is somewhat familiar with navigating the city and has visited New York every winter as long as he can remember. Therefore, he is likely to experience ambient stress, which is a low-level stress that comes from the challenges of daily life in an urban environment. This stress is not severe enough to cause acute or traumatic stress, and Roger's prior experience with the city and his familiarity with navigating it may help him manage any rational stress he may experience.

Question 13

Which of the following MOST accurately paraphrases the key themes of the textbook definition of stress? Stress is any event or circumstance that_____
A) causes upset.
B) causes illness.
C) causes negative change.
D) causes reduced coping abilities.

Accepted Answer

Stress is broadly defined as a condition or situation that challenges or exceeds an individual's ability to cope, leading to a reduction in their coping abilities.

Question 14

has been a major source of stress in many urban areas, such as northern India. 
A) Religious conflict
B) Crowding
C) Pre-attack overload
D) Coping deficiency

Accepted Answer

Crowding in urban areas can lead to increased stress and tension among residents. This is particularly evident in densely populated areas like northern India, where overcrowding is a major issue. Religious conflict, pre-attack overload, and coping deficiency can also contribute to stress levels, but they may not be as prevalent in all urban areas.

Question 15

The term "ambient stress" refers to
A) stress that seems to have no identifiable source.
B) specific situations in which stress is most likely to occur.
C) chronic environmental conditions that place adaptive demands on people.
D) stressful situations that result from demands placed on us by others.

Accepted Answer

Ambient stress refers to chronic environmental conditions that place adaptive demands on people, such as noise, air pollution, or crowded living conditions. It is different from acute stress, which arises from specific situations or demands.

Question 16

Michaela is a former basketball player. She reveled in the chance to take the last-second shot and win the game for her team. Now, as a former athlete, Michaela has adopted this competitor mindset in her business career. She enjoys being called on to make the tough sale after her coworkers are unable to close the deal. Despite being in a high-stress business environment, Michaela is demonstrating which of the following? 
A) A stress-is-debilitating mindset.
B) A stress-is-necessary mindset.
C) A stress-is-enhancing mindset.
D) A stress-is-competitive mindset.

Accepted Answer

Michaela is demonstrating a stress-is-enhancing mindset by relishing the opportunity to make the tough sale and win in a high-pressure environment. She sees the stress as a means to push herself to excel and achieve success, rather than seeing it as a hindrance or obstacle.

Question 17

Nicole is a new researcher in a marketing company. She is getting a hang of the culture, but is still stressed about the e-mails that she receives from the CEO. Any time she sees a new e-mail from the CEO in her inbox, she dreads opening the e-mail. This week, she opened an email and found that she was just copied on the message to her direct supervisor. In this case, Nicole MOST LIKELY made which of the following conclusions?
A) Primary appraisal: "This matter is relevant but not threatening."
B) Primary appraisal: "This matter is stressful."
C) Secondary appraisal: "I can handle this stress."
D) Secondary appraisal: "I cannot cope with this stress."

Accepted Answer

Since the e-mail was not addressed directly to Nicole and she was simply copied, she likely concluded that the matter was relevant to her work but not necessarily threatening or causing excessive stress. This indicates a primary appraisal of the situation as non-threatening.

Question 18

The emerging consensus among contemporary researchers is that stress is
A) a stimulus event that presents difficult demands.
B) the response of physiological arousal elicited by a troublesome event.
C) a special stimulus-response transaction in which one feels threatened or experiences loss or harm.
D) a series of events that tend to elicit overwhelming feelings of anxiety.

Accepted Answer

The emerging consensus among contemporary researchers is that stress is a special stimulus-response transaction in which one feels threatened or experiences loss or harm. Stress is not just a stimulus event or a series of events, but rather the psychological and physiological response to a perceived threat or challenge. While stress can certainly be elicited by difficult demands or lead to overwhelming feelings of anxiety, these are not the defining characteristics of stress itself.

Question 19

Research findings on minor hassles suggest that the effects of stress are
A) cumulative or additive.
B) mutually exclusive.
C) overwhelming to everyone.
D) inversely related to the number of demands.

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently found that the effects of minor daily hassles are cumulative or additive, meaning that even small stressors experienced over time can have a significant impact on overall well-being and mental health. This is due to the fact that chronic stress can cause bodily wear and tear, leading to physiological changes and health problems over time.

Question 20

Whether or not an event is stressful is most likely to depend on 
A) how much physiological arousal it causes.
B) how much change there is.
C) how one appraises and adapts to the event.
D) whether one is prepared for the event.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that whether or not an event is considered stressful is largely based on an individual's perception and appraisal of the situation, as well as their ability to adapt to it. This is known as the transactional model of stress and coping. Factors such as physiological arousal, amount of change, and preparation may also play a role, but they are not the sole determinants of stress.

Quiz 3: Stress and Its Effects

Which of the following statements regarding the nature of stress is correct?

Secondary appraisal involves

The notion that "stress lies in the eye of the beholder" suggests that

Everyday hassles have been found to be predictive of mental and physical health.

Acute stressors

Studies show that the discrepancy between what individuals expect before immigrating and what they actually experience once they do immigrate is related to the amount of_____ they report.

People who live in areas prone to earthquakes or hurricanes experience less stress because they are used to natural disasters.

Primary appraisal is an initial evaluation of whether an event is

According to a poll by the APA (2015) ,__________were the top three reported stressors.

Which of the following MOST accurately paraphrases the key themes of the textbook definition of stress? Stress is any event or circumstance that_____

has been a major source of stress in many urban areas, such as northern India.

The term "ambient stress" refers to

The emerging consensus among contemporary researchers is that stress is

Research findings on minor hassles suggest that the effects of stress are

Whether or not an event is stressful is most likely to depend on