Question 1

are hormones that help mobilize the body for action.

Accepted Answer

Catecholamines, such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, are hormones that are released during times of stress or excitement and help prepare the body for action. Amphetamines are synthetic drugs that mimic the effects of catecholamines, but they are not naturally produced by the body. Immunosteroids are a type of steroid hormone that regulates immune system function. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that are responsible for transmitting signals between nerve cells, but they are not typically involved in preparing the body for action.

Question 2

Selye's general adaptation model has been criticized because

Accepted Answer

Selye's model has been criticized for not accounting for individual differences in how people perceive and appraise stress, which can affect their stress response.

Question 3

You hate mathematics and feel a knot forming in your stomach when you read in the college catalog that Calculus I is required for your chosen major. You are in the__________  stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

Accepted Answer

The alarm stage of the general adaptation syndrome is characterized by the immediate reaction to a stressor, which can include physical, psychological, or emotional responses. In this case, the stressor is the requirement of Calculus I for the chosen major, and the physical response is the knot forming in the stomach due to anxiety and stress about the subject. The other options (exhaustion, resistance, and extinction) do not apply in this scenario.

Question 4

Pressure to perform may disrupt attention to task performance by

Accepted Answer

When one feels pressure to perform, it may make them feel self-conscious and anxious, which can disrupt their attention to the task at hand.

Question 5

Empirical work on pressure and task performance in non-professionals reveals which of the following trends?

Accepted Answer

Empirical work on pressure and task performance in non-professionals has shown that choking under pressure is a fairly common experience. This means that many people struggle with performance anxiety and may underperform when feeling pressure in certain situations.

Question 6

The general adaptation syndrome is a

Accepted Answer

The general adaptation syndrome is a model of the body's stress response, which includes three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. This model was first proposed by Hans Selye in the 1930s and is widely accepted in the field of stress research.

Question 7

Being followed when walking home late at night or narrowly escaping a car accident are experiences that would activate the

Accepted Answer

The alarm reaction is the initial response to a stressor, which includes the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Being followed or narrowly escaping an accident would elicit this type of response. The resistance reaction and exhaustion reaction are later stages of the stress response, after the initial alarm reaction has occurred. The non-sympathetic nervous system is not a recognized component of the stress response.

Question 8

Coping efforts are

Accepted Answer

Coping efforts can have varying degrees of effectiveness and can be either adaptive or maladaptive depending on the specific situation and individual's coping skills. There is no guarantee that coping efforts will be healthy or permanent.

Question 9

_____ involves active efforts to master, reduce, or tolerate the demands of stress.

Accepted Answer

Coping involves actively trying to manage and reduce the impact of stress on one's life. It can involve a variety of methods such as problem-solving, emotional regulation, and seeking support from others. Adjustment refers to the process of adapting to a new situation or circumstance, which may or may not involve stress. Stress tolerance refers to an individual's ability to tolerate stress without experiencing negative consequences, while general adaptation refers to the body's physiological response to stress.

Question 10

_____ _____is credited with formulating the theory of stress reactions called the general adaptation syndrome.

Accepted Answer

Hans Selye is credited with formulating the theory of stress reactions called the general adaptation syndrome.

Question 11

Research findings indicate that on a cognitive task, stress may increase one's tendency to

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that stress can increase cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias and the tendency to jump to conclusions too quickly.

Question 12

To say someone is coping means they are making all healthy choices in the face of adversity.

Accepted Answer

Coping refers to a range of behaviors that may or may not be healthy, and may vary depending on the situation or individual. Coping strategies can include healthy behaviors such as seeking support or engaging in self-care, as well as unhealthy behaviors such as substance abuse or avoidance. Therefore, saying that someone is simply "coping" does not necessarily imply that they are making all healthy choices.

Question 13

Vito does not enjoy public speaking, but had to present his literature review on contemporary behaviorism in his General Psychology course. When his name was drawn by his professor, his heart began to beat faster and Vito's face became redder as he approached the front of the classroom. As he uttered the name of his presentation, "What the B.F.? Behaviorism Today" the class chuckled. He smiled and began walking the class through his slides. As he went on, his stammering speech began to smooth, rate of speech normalized, and the redness of his cheeks disappeared. Before he knew it, the 5-minute presentation was over and he received a round of applause. By the time Vito returned to his desk, his legs felt rubbery and overall, he was "physically drained." Which of the following sequences is MOST accurate in Vito's experience?

Accepted Answer

Vito's initial reaction to being called to speak was an alarm response, causing his heart rate to increase and his face to become red. However, as he began speaking, he experienced a shift to resistance as he became more confident and his speech became smoother. By the end of the presentation, he felt physically drained, which is indicative of the exhaustion stage. Therefore, the most accurate sequence of Vito's experience is alarm, resistance, exhaustion.

Question 14

Mounting evidence from research indicates that stress may _____the functioning of the immune system.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that chronic stress can potentially suppress the immune system, making it less effective in fighting off infections and diseases. This is attributed to the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol, which can decrease the production of white blood cells and weaken the body's defense mechanisms.

Question 15

You realize that no matter how much you hate writing, you will not be able to drop out of English class this semester if you want to go to the graduate school of your choice. You hunker down for a miserable semester of hard and studious labor. You are in the_____ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

Accepted Answer

The general adaptation syndrome refers to the body's physiological response to stress, which occurs in three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. The alarm stage is the initial reaction to stress, while the resistance stage is characterized by increased physiological arousal and the mobilization of resources to cope with the stressor. The exhaustion stage occurs when the body's resources are depleted and the person experiences physical and emotional exhaustion. In this scenario, the person is hunkering down for a miserable semester of hard and studious labor, indicating that they are still in the resistance stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

Question 16

Which of the following was NOT cited in your text as a disruptive effect of severe stress on cognitive functioning?

Accepted Answer

The decrease in cortisol production is not cited as a disruptive effect of severe stress on cognitive functioning in the text. In fact, the text notes that severe stress can lead to an increase in cortisol levels, which can have negative effects on cognitive functioning. The other three options (inability to integrate new information, reduced working memory efficiency, and a poorly organized view of options) are all cited in the text as potential disruptive effects of severe stress on cognitive functioning.

Question 17

Terry has been practicing free-throw shots in the backyard. Terry has the chance to shoot a half-court basket for a $10,000 prize at a professional basketball game. Research indicates that Terry is

Accepted Answer

Research in psychology suggests that individuals often perform worse under pressure due to anxiety and overthinking, a phenomenon known as "choking." This can happen regardless of one's experience level or the presence of a crowd.

Question 18

After barely squeezing through Anatomy 101 with a passing grade, you sleep 16 hours a day for the first 10 days of summer break and refuse to see any of your friends. You are in the_____  stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

Accepted Answer

The general adaptation syndrome (GAS) is a model that explains how the body responds to stress. It has three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. The exhaustion stage is characterized by decreased activity levels, avoidance of social interactions, and physical fatigue. The individual has depleted their resources and has entered a state of physical and emotional exhaustion. The described behavior of sleeping for 16 hours a day and avoiding social interactions is indicative of the exhaustion stage.

Question 19

The "master gland" of the endocrine system is the

Accepted Answer

The pituitary gland is often referred to as the "master gland" because it secretes numerous hormones that regulate the activity of other endocrine glands in the body.

Question 20

Bart coped with flunking his midterm by telling everyone he was positive his professor's poor teaching was the reason Bart got such a bad grade. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

This response is an example of an unhealthy coping response called "blaming." Rather than taking responsibility for his grade and seeking ways to improve or address the issue, Bart is shifting the blame onto someone else. This can lead to a lack of personal growth and hinder the development of effective coping skills.

Quiz 3: Stress and Its Effects