Psychology2016

Stress and Health 431

Practice Quiz How much do you remember?

Pick the best answer.

1. Studies show that _____ is the optimal amount
   of stress that people need to positively promote their health
   and sense of well-being, which coincides with __
   theory.
   a. intensity; cognitive consistency
   b. distress; biological instinct
   c. eustress; arousal
   d. eustress; Maslow’s


2. What does the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) use to
   determine its results?
   a. The SRRS asks users to subjectively rate their stress level.
   b. The SRRS examines diet and family history to determine one’s
   overall health risks.
   c. The SRRS records specific positive and negative life events to
   determine an individual’s current level of stress.
   d. The SRRS looks exclusively at any catastrophes that a person
   has experienced.
   3. Who, if anyone, would consider going shopping as a daily hassle
   and therefore stressful?
   a. adolescents
   b. those in their 20s and 30s
   c. senior citizens
   d. Hassles are stressful at any age, and studies do not find shop-
   ping to be a stressor or hassle at any age.
   4. A retail store has announced to its employees that half of them will
   be laid off after a 2-week, random review of their personnel records.
   No current performance appraisals or individual interviews are being
   held. Over the next 2 weeks, many of the employees are arguing,
   fighting, and doing a poor job of taking care of their customers.
   What aspects of stress most likely started these behaviors?
   a. pressure and conflict
   b. uncontrollability and frustration
   c. pressure and frustration
   d. uncontrollability and conflict

negative events cause distress; positive events cause eustress,

the optimal level of stress required to facilitate healthy

adaptation and well-being

external stress-causing events may include catastrophes,

major life changes, and daily hassles (differ according

to developmental stage)

can be assessed systematically (e.g., Social Readjustment

Rating Scale, College Undergraduate Stress Scale)

Stress and Stressors

stress is the physical, emotional, cognitive,

and behavioral response to events that are

appraised as threatening or challenging;

first studied systematically by Hans Selye

stress-causing events are

called stressors; can come

from external or internal sources;

range from mild to severe

can include physical fatigue, recurring illness, over/under eating,

smoking/drinking more than usual, mood swings, irritability,

depression, anger, memory and concentration problems

psychological stressors are often related to external events

approach–approach conflict does not involve a great deal of stress;

person experiences attraction to two or more desires or goals

avoidance–avoidance conflict is more stressful;

choice between two or more undesirable situations

approach–avoidance conflict can be most stressful;

single goal or event has both positive and negative aspects

multiple approach–avoidance conflicts are fairly common in daily life

(e.g., double approach–avoidance) due to life decisions affecting two

or more goals

persistence

aggression

escape/withdrawal (suicide is a drastic

form of escape)

pressure

urgent demands or expectations

uncontrollability

lower sense of control associated with greater stress

frustration

due to external (losses, rejections, failures, delays)

or internal (personal characteristics) factors; can

result in several typical responses

conflict

Concept Map L.O. 11.1, 11.2, 11.3

Interactive

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