Question 1

Ryan was disappointed when he was rejected in his first attempt to get admitted to a very prestigious engineering program. Despite this setback, he told his friends that he thought he would have a better chance next time, especially if he took some additional qualifying courses and raised his grade point average. Martin Seligman would say that Ryan has a(n):

Accepted Answer

Ryan's belief that he can improve his chances of being admitted to the program by taking additional qualifying courses and raising his GPA indicates an optimistic explanatory style, which emphasizes the belief that setbacks are temporary and can be overcome with effort and persistence.

Question 2

When Karen suggested to Gordy that they go out for coffee on Friday night, Gordy said, "Sorry, I can't make it Friday. Perhaps some other time?" Karen did not suggest another time, but instead thought to herself that she was obviously not very attractive and always said the wrong thing to men. Martin Seligman would say that Karen has a(n):

Accepted Answer

Karen is exhibiting a pessimistic explanatory style by attributing Gordy's rejection to her own perceived lack of attractiveness and social skills, rather than considering external factors that may have led to his inability to meet up with her on Friday night.

Question 3

Lacking a sense of control over stressful events can result in a(n):

Accepted Answer

Lacking a sense of control over stressful events can lead to an increase in both corticosteroid and catecholamine levels, which can suppress the immune system and reduce its effectiveness. This is known as the stress response or the fight or flight response. Therefore, option C is the best choice.

Question 4

Larry constantly complains about minor health problems, how hard he has to work, and how his family does not appreciate him. He dislikes most of the people he meets, and no matter what happens to him, he is dissatisfied and grumpy. Larry seems to display:

Accepted Answer

Larry's constant complaining, dissatisfaction, and grumpiness all suggest that he is experiencing chronic negative emotions. This is a pattern that can have negative impacts on both physical and mental health over time.

Question 5

In an important research study involving elderly nursing home residents, psychologists Judith Rodin and Ellen Langer investigated the:

Accepted Answer

The study investigated the effects of a sense of personal control on both psychological and physical health.

Question 6

Mrs. Pedersen lives in a nursing home that allows its residents to make choices about their daily activities and encourages them to make decisions that affect their lives. Compared to her friend Mrs. Ghormley, who lives in a nursing home where staff members make all these types of decisions, Mrs. Pedersen is likely to:

Accepted Answer

Giving residents the ability to make choices about their daily activities has been shown to lead to increased activity, alertness, sociability, and overall health. This is because it allows them to maintain a sense of independence and control over their lives, which can lead to better mental and physical well-being. In contrast, Mrs. Ghormley's lack of autonomy may lead to feelings of helplessness, which can contribute to tiredness, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, without the ability to make meaningful choices, Mrs. Ghormley may be less likely to engage in activities that promote physical health and strength, leading to poorer overall health outcomes.

Question 7

Larry is a happy, outgoing type, and is usually in a good mood. Research has shown that such positive emotions are associated with:

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that positive emotions, such as happiness and optimism, are associated with a range of physical health benefits, including increased resistance to infection, decreased illnesses, fewer reports of illness symptoms, less pain, and longer life expectancy. Studies have also found that individuals with positive emotions tend to engage in healthier behaviors, such as regular exercise and healthy eating, which can further contribute to their good health. On the other hand, choice B is incorrect because positive emotions are associated with lower levels of stress and fewer daily hassles, not more frequent and intense ones. Choice C is also incorrect as research has consistently shown that positive emotions are associated with better health outcomes, not worse ones. Finally, choice D is irrelevant as the Type A behavior pattern refers to a specific personality trait that is unrelated to the presence or absence of positive emotions.

Question 8

Psychological research has consistently shown that having a sense of control over a stressful situation _____ the impact of stressors and _____ feelings of anxiety and depression.

Accepted Answer

Having a sense of control over a stressful situation typically reduces the impact of stressors and decreases feelings of anxiety and depression, as it helps individuals feel more empowered and capable of managing the situation.

Question 9

When Harry got a failing grade in one of his courses, he decided to talk to his professor about the personal problems he had during the term and discuss the possibility of doing a makeup final exam or writing an extra paper. Harry appears to be reacting to a stressful situation by trying to exercise some personal control. If Harry's approach is realistic and successful, it is likely to:

Accepted Answer

By taking action and addressing the situation with his professor, Harry is exercising control and taking responsibility for his academic performance. If his approach is successful, he will likely feel a sense of accomplishment, which can enhance his feelings of self-confidence, self-efficacy, and autonomy. This can lead to a decrease in stress and an improved immune system response. Additionally, this approach can help prevent feelings of helplessness and apathy that can come from a lack of control over a situation.

Question 10

Anna is almost constantly negative, hostile, and anxious. Based on the psychological studies of people who display chronic negative emotions, Anna:

Accepted Answer

Psychological studies have shown that chronic negative emotions, such as those displayed by Anna, are associated with all of the factors listed in the choices. These emotions can increase daily hassles, increase vulnerability to chronic diseases, and result in greater distress when faced with stressful events.

Question 11

The research by Judith Rodin and Ellen Langer involving elderly nursing home residents demonstrated that:

Accepted Answer

The research by Judith Rodin and Ellen Langer involving elderly nursing home residents demonstrated that elderly nursing home residents who have a sense of control over their environment are healthier than elderly nursing home residents without a sense of personal control over their environment. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Question 12

According to psychologist Martin Seligman, people who have a(n) _____ explanatory style use internal, stable, and global explanations for negative events.

Accepted Answer

People with a pessimistic explanatory style tend to explain negative events as being caused by internal factors (such as personal flaws), stable factors (such as unchangeable circumstances), and global factors (such as events that influence many aspects of their lives).

Question 13

Cross-cultural studies have shown that a sense of control:

Accepted Answer

Cross-cultural studies have consistently shown that individualistic Western cultures hold a higher value for a sense of control or personal autonomy, while collectivistic Eastern cultures prioritize social harmony and interdependence over individual control.

Question 14

Ken delivers fresh produce to health food stores around the city. Laid-back and easygoing, he loves his job because it allows him to meet people and get daily exercise at the same time. Ken is likely to be classified as having a:

Accepted Answer

Ken's laid-back and easygoing personality is consistent with the Type B behavior pattern, which is characterized by a lower level of stress and a more relaxed approach to life. This personality type has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease compared to the Type A behavior pattern.

Question 15

After Lana got a low grade on her first French exam, she told her roommate that she was dropping the course because she wasn't good at foreign languages and would never be able to figure out French grammar. Lana is best classified as having a pessimistic explanatory style because:

Accepted Answer

Lana is using internal (blaming herself), stable (believing she will never be able to figure it out), and global (applying it to all foreign languages) explanations for her low grade in French, which is characteristic of a pessimistic explanatory style.

Question 16

According to Martin Seligman, a person who reacts to negative events with an optimistic explanatory style uses:

Accepted Answer

According to Martin Seligman, a person who reacts to negative events with an optimistic explanatory style uses external, unstable, and specific explanations for negative events. This means that they do not blame themselves for the negative event (external), believe the situation can get better (unstable), and do not generalize the negativity to other areas of their life (specific).

Question 17

In studying the relationship between stress and susceptibility to the common cold, psychologist Sheldon Cohen and his colleagues have found that:

Accepted Answer

According to the passage, people who are under chronic stress are much more likely to develop colds than people who are not under chronic stress when they are exposed to a cold virus.

Question 18

A study of first-year law students found that the students who had an optimistic outlook:

Accepted Answer

Optimism is often linked to better health outcomes, including stronger immune systems, compared to pessimism.

Question 19

According to psychologist Martin Seligman, people who have _____ use external, unstable, and specific explanations for negative events.

Accepted Answer

An optimistic explanatory style involves attributing negative events to external, unstable, and specific factors, which helps maintain a positive outlook.

Question 20

Cross-cultural research found that a heightened sense of personal control was associated with:

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that Western cultures, like British culture, often emphasize individualism and personal control, which can lead to lower perceived stress. In contrast, Eastern cultures, such as Japanese culture, may not associate personal control with stress reduction in the same way.

Quiz 12: Stress, Health, and Coping

Lacking a sense of control over stressful events can result in a(n) :