Suppose that an annoying co-worker is always making passes at you and trying to ask you out on dates. Research on the panic button effect suggests that you would be less troubled by this person if ____.
A) you thought about how much worse the situation could be
B) you thought about the fact that other people would be flattered by this
C) you felt that you could simply tell the person to stop if you wanted to
D) you felt that this person could be a good "backup" if you ever needed a last-minute date

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The panic button effect suggests that feeling that you have control over a situation can reduce anxiety and stress. In this case, feeling that you could tell the person to stop if you wanted to gives you a sense of control, which could make you less troubled by their behavior. Options A and B are not effective because they involve comparing yourself to others or thinking about hypothetical situations, which may not be helpful in the moment. Option D is not appropriate because it involves using someone's attraction for personal gain rather than addressing the situation directly.

Suppose That an Annoying Co-Worker Is Always Making Passes at You