Question 1

Q1: 1. Explain the concept of stress. Give examples from daily life.

Accepted Answer

Stress is a dynamic process that describes the pattern of responses an organism makes to a stimulus event that disturbs its equilibrium and exceeds its ability to cope. It is not merely a stimulus or a response, but an ongoing transaction between an individual and their environment. The term origina...

Question 2

Q10: 10. Given what you know about coping strategies, what suggestions would you give to your friends to avoid stress in their everyday lives.

Accepted Answer

Based on the coping strategies and stress management techniques discussed in the chapter, I would give my friends the following suggestions to manage stress in their everyday lives: 1.  Adopt a Problem-Focused Approach: Instead of just worrying about problems, I would advise them to use task-oriente...

Question 3

Q11: 11. Reflect on the environmental factors that have (a) a positive impact on the being, and (b) a negative effect.

Accepted Answer

Environmental factors play a significant role in our well-being, capable of either promoting health or causing stress. (a) Environmental factors with a positive impact:    Supportive Social Environment: A strong network of supportive family, friends, and community members has a profoundly positive i...

Question 4

Q12: 12. We know that certain lifestyle factors can cause stress and may lead to diseases like cancer and coronary heart disease, yet we are unable to chan...

Accepted Answer

People often find it difficult to change unhealthy behaviours despite knowing the long-term risks for several interconnected reasons: 1.  Immediate Gratification vs. Delayed Consequences: Health-impairing behaviours like smoking, overeating 'comfort foods', or alcohol abuse often provide immediate p...

Question 5

Q2: 2. State the symptoms and sources of stress.

Accepted Answer

The symptoms and sources of stress are varied and can impact an individual's entire being. The response to stress varies from person to person. Symptoms of Stress Symptoms of stress can be categorized as physical, emotional, and behavioural.    Physical/Physiological Symptoms: These include increase...

Question 6

Q3: 3. Describe the GAS model and illustrate the relevance of this model with the help of an example.

Accepted Answer

The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model was developed by Hans Selye to describe the body's physiological response pattern to prolonged stress. Selye observed that regardless of the stressor (e.g., high temperature, injury, X-rays), the body responds with a similar pattern of reactions. The GAS m...

Question 7

Q4: 4. Enumerate the different ways of coping with stress.

Accepted Answer

Coping refers to the constantly changing cognitive and behavioural efforts to master, reduce, or tolerate the internal or external demands created by stress. There are several ways to categorize coping strategies. Endler and Parker proposed three main coping strategies: 1.  Task-oriented Strategy: T...

Question 8

Q5: 5. Explain the effect of stress on psychological functioning.

Accepted Answer

Stress significantly affects an individual's psychological functioning, impacting their emotional state, cognitive abilities, and behaviour. 1. Emotional Effects: Stress can lead to severe emotional turmoil. Individuals under stress are more likely to experience frequent mood swings and show erratic...

Question 9

Q6: 6. Describe how life skills can help meet life's challenges.

Accepted Answer

Life skills are abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life. They are crucial for managing stress and promoting well-being. Key life skills include:    Assertiveness: This is the skill of communicating one...

Question 10

Q7: 7. Discuss the factors that lead to positive health and well-being.

Accepted Answer

Positive health is a state of complete physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being, not merely the absence of disease. Several factors contribute to achieving and maintaining positive health and well-being, acting as buffers against stress.    Diet: A varied and well-balanced diet is fundamen...

Question 11

Q8: 8. How does stress affect the immune system?

Accepted Answer

Stress can significantly impair the workings of the immune system, thereby increasing a person's susceptibility to illness. The field that studies the links between the mind, the brain, and the immune system is called Psychoneuroimmunology. The immune system is the body's defense mechanism against f...

Question 12

Q9: 9. Give an example of a life event which is likely to be stressful. Suggest reasons why it is likely to cause different degrees of stress to the perso...

Accepted Answer

An example of a life event that is likely to be stressful is the death of a close family member. This event is likely to cause different degrees of stress to different people for several reasons, primarily related to an individual's cognitive appraisal, personal resources, and psychological characte...

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