Question 1

Although feelings of loneliness are unpleasant, loneliness does not appear to affect stress hormones or the immune system.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that loneliness can, in fact, affect stress hormones and the immune system, potentially increasing the risk of inflammation and chronic diseases.

Question 2

Erica has a very diverse social network that includes close friendships with family members, co-workers, neighbors, and members of her religious community. It is very probable that Erica will live longer than those who have less diverse social networks.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that having a diverse social network can increase longevity and overall well-being. Having relationships with people from different backgrounds and social circles provides opportunities for social support, cognitive stimulation, and exposure to differing perspectives and ideas.

Question 3

Prospective studies are studies in which researchers track the health and personal habits of initially healthy participants over long periods.

Accepted Answer

Prospective studies are designed to follow individuals forward in time to observe the development of a particular outcome. Researchers start by identifying a group of healthy people who do not have the condition that they want to study and follow them over time to see who develops the condition.

Question 4

Those who have the most diverse social networks have greater vulnerability to respiratory infections, a higher likelihood of stroke and cardiovascular disease, and an increased chance of suffering from cognitive loss in old age.

Accepted Answer

Having diverse social networks is generally associated with better health outcomes, including lower vulnerability to infections and diseases, due to increased social support and engagement.

Question 5

Social isolation and the lack of a social relationship network are positively related to physical well-being and good psychological health.

Accepted Answer

The statement is incorrect. Social isolation and the lack of a social relationship network are actually negatively related to physical well-being and good psychological health. Research consistently shows that social support and social connections are important for maintaining mental and physical health.

Question 6

Yvonne has a very diverse social network. According to the results of prospective studies reported in the text, it is very probable that she will tend to suffer from the stress contagion effect and have a shorter life expectancy than those who are not as socially engaged.

Accepted Answer

The text actually states the opposite - that individuals with diverse social networks tend to have longer life expectancies and are more resistant to the stress contagion effect.

Question 7

The term social support refers to government and other publicly funded social services that help people deal with stress-related problems, including mental and physical disorders.

Accepted Answer

The term social support refers to the assistance and comfort provided by family, friends, and community members. It does not refer to publicly funded social services specifically.

Question 8

Type A behavior pattern is a behavioral and emotional style characterized by a relatively relaxed and laid-back approach to situations and problems.

Accepted Answer

Type A behavior pattern is actually characterized by a sense of urgency, competitiveness, hostility, and difficulty relaxing.

Question 9

Contemporary research has conclusively demonstrated that certain personality characteristics inevitably cause particular diseases.

Accepted Answer

While there is evidence that certain personality traits may be associated with increased risk for certain diseases, research has not definitively shown that personality characteristics inevitably cause specific illnesses. Many other factors, including genetic predisposition and environmental influences, also play significant roles in the development of disease.

Question 10

The term social support refers to the resources provided by other people in times of need.

Accepted Answer

Social support is a type of assistance that is provided by other individuals or groups, which helps individuals to cope with stress or adversity. It can involve emotional support, practical assistance, or advice and guidance, among other forms of help.

Question 11

One study showed that the presence of a favorite cat or dog was more effective than the presence of a friend in reducing stress, probably because the pet was perceived as being supportive and nonjudgmental.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. The study found that pets were perceived as more supportive and nonjudgmental than friends, and therefore more effective in reducing stress.

Question 12

Hostile Type A's tend to react more intensely to stressors than other people, and they also tend to create more stress in their lives because of their personality style.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Hostile Type A personalities have been shown in research to react more strongly to stressors and to create more stress in their lives. This can be due to their tendency to be competitive, perfectionistic, and easily frustrated.

Question 13

Psychologists and other scientists are cautious in the statements they make about the connections between personality and health because of the correlational nature of much of the research and the difficulty of determining causality.

Accepted Answer

Psychologists and other scientists are indeed cautious in the statements they make about the connections between personality and health because of the correlational nature of much of the research and the difficulty of determining causality.

Question 14

Research has now shown that certain personality traits, such as cheerfulness and having a positive attitude, can cure cancer and other serious illnesses.

Accepted Answer

There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that personality traits alone can cure cancer or other serious illnesses. However, having a positive attitude and optimizing mental health can aid in overall wellbeing and potentially improve recovery outcomes.

Question 15

Researchers have found that socially isolated people have poorer health and higher death rates than people who have many social contacts and relationships.

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently shown that social isolation is linked to poor physical and mental health outcomes, including higher mortality rates. People who have stronger social networks and support systems tend to have better health and a lower risk of premature death.

Question 16

Researchers have found that people who have the most diverse social networks have the most pronounced health benefits.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that people who have diverse social networks, meaning they have friends and acquaintances from different age groups, ethnicities, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds, have better overall health outcomes, including lower rates of chronic diseases, better mental health, and increased longevity. This is because these individuals have access to more social resources, emotional support, and diverse perspectives, which can help them cope with stress and manage their health more effectively.

Question 17

One way researchers have tried to disentangle the relationship between personality and health is by conducting carefully controlled prospective studies in which they track the health and personal habits of initially healthy participants over long periods.

Accepted Answer

Prospective studies involve following a group of individuals over time to observe changes in their health and behavior, allowing researchers to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between personality and health outcomes.

Question 18

Beyond social isolation, researchers using prospective studies have shown that the people who live longest are those who have varied types of relationships, such as through marriage, close friendships, and membership in social, political, or religious groups.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Prospective studies suggest that having a variety of relationships, such as through marriage, close friendships, and membership in social, political, or religious groups, is associated with longer life expectancy.

Question 19

Social support can reduce stress by modifying a person's appraisal of a stressor, by dampening physical reactions to a stressor, and by reducing the likelihood that people will experience negative emotions and moods.

Accepted Answer

Social support can indeed reduce stress by modifying a person's appraisal of a stressor, by dampening physical reactions to a stressor, and by reducing the likelihood that people will experience negative emotions and moods. The emotional and practical support received from family, friends, or colleagues can have a positive impact on mental and physical health, and help individuals cope with various stressors.

Question 20

When researchers focused on the association between heart disease and the separate components of the Type A behavior pattern, they found that the best predictor of cardiac disease was hostility.

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that hostility is the strongest predictor of heart disease among the components of the Type A behavior pattern, which also includes time urgency, competitiveness, and aggressiveness.

Quiz 12: Stress, Health, and Coping