Question 1

In psychology, the term rumination refers to the
A) tendency to eat food thoroughly to aid digestion.
B) tendency to think about a stressful event over and over again.
C) digestive system dysfunction associated with exposure to multiple stressors.
D) illusion that we are in control of events.

Accepted Answer

Rumination in psychology refers to the act of constantly thinking about a stressful event, which can lead to negative consequences such as increased depression and anxiety.

Question 2

If we know that Jon left school after the eighth grade and has been working as a janitor for the past twenty years, what research-based predictions could we make about his health status?
A) Jon is more likely to have chronically low levels of cortisol.
B) Jon is more likely to die at an earlier age than those in higher-status jobs.
C) Jon is less likely to develop heart disease because his job involves less stress.
D) If Jon has children, they will be less likely to die in infancy.

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that individuals in lower-status jobs, such as janitorial work, have higher mortality rates and are more likely to die at a younger age than those in higher-status jobs. This is believed to be due to the negative health effects of chronic stress, limited access to healthcare, and exposure to hazardous working conditions. The information provided does not offer sufficient evidence to support choices A, C, or D.

Question 3

Mikell has been thinking over and over again about a conflict she had with a coworker. As a consequence, she has allowed that stressful conflict to pervade her evenings and weekends when she is not at work. Her sister, Tori, also had a conflict with a coworker but seemed to forget about it almost immediately. When their friends are catching the common cold, which of these two will be more vulnerable to catching the cold as well?
A) Mikell, because her elevated stress levels will make her immune system less effective
B) Tori, because her elevated stress levels will make her immune system less effective
C) Tori, because she is likely to spend more time socializing with her sick friends
D) Mikell, because she is likely to spend more time socializing with her sick friends

Accepted Answer

Chronic stress can have negative impacts on the immune system and increase the susceptibility to illnesses. Mikell's persistent stress due to the conflict at work is likely to weaken her immune system and make her more vulnerable to catching the common cold when exposed to the virus. Tori may also be susceptible, but Mikell's prolonged stress response puts her at a greater risk.

Question 4

Eliot is from a lower socioeconomic status (SES) neighborhood than Carl. Which of the following is a likely reason why Eliot is at greater risk for increased stress and poorer physical health outcomes than Carl?
A) Eliot is more likely to be exposed to violent crime.
B) Eliot is less likely to have access to recreational spaces and parks.
C) Eliot is less likely to have easy access to health care centers.
D) All of the above are correct.

Accepted Answer

All of the choices are correct reasons why Eliot is at greater risk for increased stress and poorer physical health outcomes. Lower SES neighborhoods often have higher rates of violent crime, fewer recreational spaces and parks, and less easy access to health care centers. These factors can all contribute to increased stress and poorer physical health outcomes.

Question 5

Psychologist Shelley Taylor proposed that we can reduce stress and improve our own health by connecting with and providing support to others. The term she used for this approach is
A) tend-and-befriend.
B) seek-and-assist.
C) self-distancing.
D) tit-for-tat.

Accepted Answer

Psychologist Shelley Taylor proposed the concept of tend-and-befriend, which refers to a stress response that involves seeking social support and providing it to others. This approach can help reduce stress and improve overall health. Options B, C, and D are not related to this concept.

Question 6

Supporting and connecting with others ________ oxytocin, which in turn ________ cortisol levels.
A) increases; decreases
B) decreases; decreases
C) increases; increases
D) decreases, increases

Accepted Answer

Supporting and connecting with others increases oxytocin, which is known as the "bonding hormone." Oxytocin has been shown to decrease cortisol levels, which is known as the "stress hormone." Therefore, the correct answer is that supporting and connecting with others increases oxytocin and decreases cortisol levels.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT likely a mechanism by which optimism is associated with better physical health?
A) Optimists are more likely to engage in good health practices.
B) Optimists are more likely to respond to stress with less HPA axis activity.
C) Optimists are less likely to need to rely on others for support.
D) Optimists are more likely to develop good social support networks.

Accepted Answer

The statement "Optimists are less likely to need to rely on others for support" is not likely a mechanism by which optimism is associated with better physical health. In fact, having a strong social support network is one of the mechanisms by which optimism is associated with better physical health.

Question 8

Because Kesa has been experiencing increased, prolonged stress as a result of going over negative events again and again in her mind, her psychologist has recommended that she try self-distancing. This means that she should
A) engage in distracting activities to divert attention away from herself.
B) think more about her friends and family and less about herself.
C) jog regularly to take her mind off of her problems.
D) focus on her feelings from the perspective of a detached observer.

Accepted Answer

Self-distancing involves focusing on one's feelings from the perspective of a detached observer. This helps to reduce the intensity of negative emotions and can lead to a more objective perspective on the situation, reducing stress and anxiety. Engaging in distracting activities or jogging may provide temporary relief but do not address the underlying cause of the stress, while thinking more about friends and family may not be helpful if the negative events involve those same individuals.

Question 9

Which of the following was found in breast cancer patients who were evaluated by their physicians as having better responses to the disease?
A) They relinquished control of their treatment to their doctors.
B) They reported having a sense of control over the course of the disease.
C) They were more likely to deny that they had cancer.
D) They were more likely to report intense anger at the cancer.

Accepted Answer

Patients who have a sense of control over the course of the disease were found to have better responses to breast cancer. This does not necessarily mean that they had full control over their treatment, but rather that they felt they had some influence over their health outcomes. Choices A, C, and D are not supported by research on breast cancer patients and their responses to the disease.

Question 10

Which of the following best summarizes the purpose of activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which involves increased cortisol and temporary immune system suppression?
A) to propagate the species through increased drive for reproduction
B) to increase survival value by storing up rather than expending energy reserves
C) to increase survival value by quickly responding to threats
D) to improve psychological health by suppressing memories of threatening events

Accepted Answer

The activation of the HPA axis is a response to threats or stressors in the environment, and its purpose is to prepare the body for a quick and efficient response to these threats. This involves increasing cortisol levels, which can provide an energy boost, and suppressing the immune system temporarily to allocate resources to dealing with the immediate threat. This response is adaptive because it can increase survival value by helping individuals respond to and cope with stressful situations.

Question 11

Gabriel is experiencing psychosocial stress during a job interview. Which area of Gabriel's brain is responsible for initially processing information related to this threat?
A) the amygdala
B) the basal ganglia
C) the fusiform gyrus
D) the pineal gland

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is responsible for processing emotions and initially detecting and responding to perceived threats, such as the stress Gabriel is experiencing during the interview. The basal ganglia is involved in movement and coordination, the fusiform gyrus is associated with facial recognition and visual processing, and the pineal gland is involved in regulating sleep and circadian rhythms.

Question 12

Glenda was recently placed in a nursing home, and her physical health has been gradually deteriorating. Accordingly to the textbook, which of the following would be most likely to improve her health?
A) having the staff ensure that she is pampered
B) encouraging her to conserve her strength by resting
C) allowing her a greater sense of control
D) reducing stress by minimizing the amount of time visitors can stay

Accepted Answer

Allowing Glenda a greater sense of control can improve both her physical and mental health. Studies show that individuals in nursing homes who have more control over their daily lives tend to have better physical health outcomes. This can include, for example, allowing Glenda to choose her meals or participate in activities that she enjoys.

Question 13

Some patients in a nursing home were given opportunities that increased their sense of control. Compared with nursing home patients who did not have these same opportunities, those with an increased sense of control
A) showed improvement in overall functioning.
B) were more likely to refuse opportunities to participate in group activities.
C) showed reduced happiness.
D) showed a decline in physical health.

Accepted Answer

Giving nursing home patients opportunities that increase their sense of control can improve their overall functioning. This can include allowing them to make choices about their daily routine, such as what activities they participate in or what they eat. Research has shown that when patients feel more in control, they experience better mental and physical health outcomes. Therefore, A is the correct answer. B, C, and D are incorrect.

Question 14

Richard is a fairly wealthy man. As part of a research study, Richard is asked to indicate which rung of a ladder best represents his socioeconomic rank. How is Richard most likely to respond?
A) He will select one of the highest rungs.
B) He will select one of the middle rungs.
C) He will select one of the lowest rungs.
D) His response will depend on his subjective construal of his relative rank.

Accepted Answer

Richard's response will depend on his subjective construal of his relative rank. Wealth and socioeconomic status can be viewed differently by different individuals based on factors such as personal values, background, and societal norms. Therefore, Richard may not necessarily choose one of the highest rungs, middle rungs, or lowest rungs, but rather choose a rung that he feels accurately represents his perceived status.

Question 15

Diana and Julie are asked to give presentations at work with only ten minutes to prepare. Diana has a good friend in the audience, whereas Julie does not. Who is likely to become the most stressed during the presentation?
A) Julie
B) Diana
C) They are likely to feel equally stressed.
D) Neither is likely to feel stressed.

Accepted Answer

Julie is more likely to become stressed during the presentation because she is presenting without the support of a friend in the audience. This lack of social support can heighten anxiety and stress levels. Diana may also feel some stress, but the presence of her friend in the audience may provide a sense of comfort and support, potentially reducing her stress levels.

Question 16

Which of the following is an immediate effect of increased cortisol levels?
A) reduced blood pressure
B) increased immune system activity
C) increased heart rate
D) blockage of the formation of traumatic memories

Accepted Answer

Increased cortisol levels lead to increased heart rate as part of the body's "fight or flight" response. Cortisol helps prepare the body for a potential threat by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy metabolism.

Question 17

Which of the following was NOT among the findings of Shelley Taylor's research on women with breast cancer?
A) Most women passively accepted their condition.
B) Older women felt grateful that they had been diagnosed as older rather than younger women.
C) Younger women felt grateful that they had more physical robustness to fight the disease.
D) Most women felt that they could control the course of the disease through diet and exercise.

Accepted Answer

Shelley Taylor's research found that most women did not passively accept their condition; instead, they actively sought ways to cope and manage their illness.

Question 18

Sidney and Jane are suffering from a similar health condition. Sidney is optimistic that her health will improve, while Jane's approach is to prepare herself for the worst. Which of the following outcomes is most likely?
A) Sidney's health condition will improve more than Jane's.
B) Jane's health condition will improve more than Sidney's.
C) Though Sidney and Jane take different approaches, both approaches are likely to benefit their health.
D) Neither Sidney nor Jane's approach will affect their health conditions.

Accepted Answer

Optimism has been linked to better health outcomes, so Sidney's positive outlook is likely to benefit her health more than Jane's more negative approach.

Question 19

Which of the following pieces of advice is likely to be most helpful for reducing stress and improving health outcomes?
A) "Your good health is in your hands."
B) "Just let go and leave your health up to fate."
C) "Think positive."
D) Both a and c are likely to be helpful.

Accepted Answer

Option D suggests that a combination of taking responsibility for one's health (a) and adopting a positive mindset (c) is likely to be the most helpful for reducing stress and improving health outcomes. Having a sense of control and agency over one's health can be empowering and motivate individuals to make healthy choices, while a positive attitude can help to promote resilience and reduce the negative impact of stress. The advice in option B to leave health up to fate is not helpful as it promotes a sense of helplessness and can lead to neglecting one's health.

Question 20

Which of the following does the textbook NOT recommend as a means of reducing stress?
A) seeking out stressful situations to stimulate resilience
B) practicing meditation
C) exercising regularly
D) cultivating positive emotions

Accepted Answer

Seeking out stressful situations to stimulate resilience is not recommended as a means of reducing stress in the textbook. Instead, the textbook suggests practices such as practicing meditation, exercising regularly, and cultivating positive emotions to reduce stress.

Quiz 15: Application Module-Social Psychology and Health

In psychology, the term rumination refers to the

If we know that Jon left school after the eighth grade and has been working as a janitor for the past twenty years, what research-based predictions could we make about his health status?

Eliot is from a lower socioeconomic status (SES) neighborhood than Carl. Which of the following is a likely reason why Eliot is at greater risk for increased stress and poorer physical health outcomes than Carl?

Psychologist Shelley Taylor proposed that we can reduce stress and improve our own health by connecting with and providing support to others. The term she used for this approach is

Supporting and connecting with others oxytocin, which in turn cortisol levels.

Which of the following is NOT likely a mechanism by which optimism is associated with better physical health?

Because Kesa has been experiencing increased, prolonged stress as a result of going over negative events again and again in her mind, her psychologist has recommended that she try self-distancing. This means that she should

Which of the following was found in breast cancer patients who were evaluated by their physicians as having better responses to the disease?

Which of the following best summarizes the purpose of activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which involves increased cortisol and temporary immune system suppression?

Gabriel is experiencing psychosocial stress during a job interview. Which area of Gabriel's brain is responsible for initially processing information related to this threat?

Glenda was recently placed in a nursing home, and her physical health has been gradually deteriorating. Accordingly to the textbook, which of the following would be most likely to improve her health?

Some patients in a nursing home were given opportunities that increased their sense of control. Compared with nursing home patients who did not have these same opportunities, those with an increased sense of control

Richard is a fairly wealthy man. As part of a research study, Richard is asked to indicate which rung of a ladder best represents his socioeconomic rank. How is Richard most likely to respond?

Diana and Julie are asked to give presentations at work with only ten minutes to prepare. Diana has a good friend in the audience, whereas Julie does not. Who is likely to become the most stressed during the presentation?

Which of the following is an immediate effect of increased cortisol levels?

Which of the following was NOT among the findings of Shelley Taylor's research on women with breast cancer?

Sidney and Jane are suffering from a similar health condition. Sidney is optimistic that her health will improve, while Jane's approach is to prepare herself for the worst. Which of the following outcomes is most likely?

Which of the following pieces of advice is likely to be most helpful for reducing stress and improving health outcomes?

Which of the following does the textbook NOT recommend as a means of reducing stress?