Answers and Explanations to the Stress and
Health Quiz
1. When we are attracted to two equally desirable goals
that are incompatible we experience a certain type of conflict called:
approach-avoidance
approach-approach
avoidance-approach
avoidance-avoidance
Correct Answer = approach-approach
Explanations = if you are going to be faced with a situation
that produces stress, this is the best one to have. In an approach-approach
situation, stress is produced because there are two very attractive goals, objects,
rewards, etc., between which a person must choose. This is like going a a restaurant
and having a tough time deciding between the lobster and the filet mignon (this
is an oversimplified example, but it is fitting for illustration). However,
don't forget that it still produces stress (possibly distress), which is still
bad.
2. Jerry was in the military during war time and experienced
several traumatic events. He now thinks about those events all the time, is
having trouble sleeping, and is irritable. He is most likely experiencing:
psychoanalytic depression
psychotic anxiety
traumatic flashbacks
post traumatic stress disorder
Correct Answer = post traumatic stress
disorder
Explanation = post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) results
from experiencing extremely traumatic events. The symptoms of PTSD can be long
lasting and include mood swings, increased anxiety, inability to sleep, nightmares,
irritability, flashbacks, and more. In addition, PTSD lends support to the perspective
that traumatic events are relived regularly, and are not repressed as Freud
and the psychoanalytic perspective suggests. PTSD is treatable, but left untreated,
the symptoms may last a lifetime.
3. Hans Selye proposed a theory of how the body responds
to stress over time. He called this the _____ theory/syndrome:
stress reaction
stress response
stress delay
general adaptation
Correct Answer = general adaptation
Explanation = stress has negative effects on the body.
Many people think that stress only affects the mind, but they ignore the fact
that the mind directly influences and affects the body. If the mind suffers,
the body is likely to follow. According to Selye, people go through a series
of stages as they are faced with stress over time. Together, these stages are
called the General Adaptation Syndrome and begins with mild affects to severe
mental and physical harm as a result of stress.
4. According to the psychosomatic model of stress, only
those events that produce bodily harm are stress producing (stressors).
True
False
no answer is acceptable - it's a trick question
huh?
Correct Answer = False
Explanation = anything that produces stress can be classified
as a stressor. In addition, the stress does not have to be severe enough to
produce harm to be classified as a stressor. What is also important to know
is that stress can be produced by anything a person perceives as stressful.
In other words, stress is a matter of perception. Some people find traffic so
stressful it causes physical discomfort. Others do not find traffic stressful
at all. What's the difference? The traffic is the same, yet the perceptions
of the traffic (the potential stressor) is different.
5. The stage of the psychosomatic model in which we determine
if a stressor is harmful (thus leads to stress) or is not harmful (thus does
not lead to stress) is called:
cognitive appraisal
perception
emotion
freakin' out stage
Correct Answer = cognitive appraisal
Explanation = the psychosomatic model is a stage theory
which means that interventions along the way can be implemented to hinder the
progress of stress. At the cognitive appraisal stage, a stressor is evaluated
and interpreted. If a person interprets a situation as stressful, then the stages
continue, stress, and the effects of stress on the mind and body build. However,
if a person does not interpret a situation as stressful, then it may subside
and the next stage in the psychosomatic model can be avoided.
6. Not all stress is bad. In fact, there is a positive
type of stress that leads to personal growth and promotes health, called:
distress
utopian stress
pre-traumatic stress
eustress
Correct Answer = eustress
Explanation = sometimes we are faced with situations that,
while they are stressful, prompt us to perform even better than usual. This
type of stress is known as eustress, and instead of being harmful, it helps
us grow and achieve things that we might not have otherwise. For example, a
basketball player who is asked to take a last-second shot for his team to win
a game may be able to focus more acutely than normal and perform at his very
best. This would be both a stressful and positive experience (hopefully he'll
make the shot).
7. During the _____ stage of the Psychosomatic model of
stress, the body makes use of the nervous system and the endocrine system in
order to produce physical arousal.
physical arousal
sensory stimulus
general adaptation
mind-body connection
Correct Answer = mind-body connection
Explanation = at the mind-body stage, signals from the
brain are sent out to the rest of the body via the CNS and the endocrine system
in response to the stressor. In response, physical arousal occurs in the form
of increased heart rate, production of adrenaline and other hormones, etc.,
and thus both the physical and mental responses to stress are under way.
8. When we are trying to reach a goal but something is
blocking our progress, it produces:
pain
conflict
a big fat pain in the butt
frustration
Correct Answer = frustration
Explanation = when we want something, we want it, and when
something stands in the way of us attaining that goal (or object, or whatever),
it causes problems. Research has shown that frustration can manifest in a variety
of ways, including anger, aggression, and violence. For example, animals that
have been frustrated are more likely to attack when another animal becomes available
than when they are not frustrated.
9. Studies have indicated that people who "vent"
their emotions by talking about their problems, writing about their problems,
etc., are less likely to experience physical and psychological illness.
True
False
N/A - trick question
no studies have been conducted on this topic.
Correct Answer = True
Explanation = obviously there have been studies on this
and it is definitely not a trick question. Thus, the question is whether it
is a true statement. In the last question, the topic of frustration was addressed.
If a person is frustrated, what happens? The frustration can lead to violence
and aggression, or it may be dealt with and express itself in other ways. For
example, a person can prevent a negative reaction to frustration by "venting".
By simply expressing their feelings of frustration, the frustration may subside.
In addition, venting can occur through writing in a journal, talking about your
frustration with friends, a counselor, etc. Essentially, venting a more healthy
and positive way of expressing frustration than violence.
10. Some of the most stressful occurrences in life are
the ones that are small and occur on a regular basis. In fact, studies have
indicated that simply experiencing changes in one's life (either positive or
negative) can be some of the greatest sources of stress.
True
False
what's stress
no studies have been conducted on this topic
Correct Answer = True
Explanation = remember, stress is a matter of perception
and interpretation. Therefore, things that occur in life, even small ones and
positive ones, can be perceived as stressful. For example, dealing with traffic
each day going to work should not be that big of a deal - it occurs regularly,
you should be used to it, no surprises, you can be prepared for it, etc. But,
people still become stressed and even outraged from their daily commute. Here's
another example - you get a promotion at work. This is a good thing, that brings
with it more money, more exciting responsibilities, travel, etc. But at the
same time, it also brings with it, added responsibility, more work, more time
spent at work, more pressure to perform, etc.