Practice Questions

Compare psychological stress and social stress using one example for each.

Apply the concept of 'hassles' to the daily life of a student commuting to school in a large city.

Apply the concept of 'burnout' to a high-pressure corporate job.

Name the three stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) as proposed by Hans Selye.

Identify the Latin words from which the term 'stress' originates.

Define 'eustress' as described in the chapter.

Compare eustress and distress, providing an example for each.

Justify why social support is considered a crucial buffer against the negative effects of stress.

Contrast the primary and secondary appraisal processes in Lazarus's cognitive theory of stress.

Formulate a plan to improve social support for a lonely individual, ensuring it incorporates tangible, informational, and emotional support.

Critique the reliance on tranquillisers as a primary coping strategy for stress, based on the potential behavioural effects.

Describe the role of the immune system and name two types of white blood cells involved.

Define the field of psychoneuroimmunology.

Define the terms 'stressors' and 'strain' as used in the context of stress.

Explain three stress management techniques mentioned in the chapter.

Demonstrate how assertiveness, as a life skill, can help an individual manage social pressures at the workplace.

Examine how positive thinking and social support act as buffers against stress.

Explain the three major types of stress and provide an example for each.

Explain the difference between primary and secondary appraisal in Lazarus's cognitive theory of stress.

Apply the principles of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) to a student experiencing prolonged examination anxiety.

Analyze how Lazarus's concept of secondary appraisal influences an individual's response to a stressful event.

Examine the three components ('the three Cs') of a stress-resistant personality, also known as hardiness.

Analyze the potential negative behavioral effects of prolonged stress.

Examine the key physiological, cognitive, and behavioral effects of prolonged stress on an individual.

Evaluate the long-term effectiveness of using avoidance-oriented coping strategies to manage chronic workplace stress.

Propose a two-part stress management plan for a student experiencing severe examination anxiety, incorporating one cognitive and one physiological technique.

Design a simple daily routine incorporating three distinct life skills to promote positive health and well-being for a busy professional.

Create a brief case study of an individual demonstrating a 'hardy' personality who successfully navigates a major life stressor.

Formulate a single, rational statement to counter the unhelpful habit of perfectionism, based on the principles of rational thinking.

Evaluate the assertion that problem-focused coping is always a more effective strategy than emotion-focused coping.

Explain the concept of 'burnout' and list its key characteristics.

Describe the three coping strategies identified by Endler and Parker.

Summarize Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) by describing each of its three stages.

Design a brief 'Stress Inoculation Training' intervention for a person who fears public speaking. Outline the three main phases you would propose.

Justify the statement: 'Stress is not merely an event but a dynamic transactional process,' using Lazarus's model of appraisal.

Summarize the four major effects of stress on psychological functioning and health.

Evaluate the cognitive theory of stress as proposed by Lazarus, contrasting its core principles with Hans Selye's physiological model of stress.

Demonstrate how the stress management technique of biofeedback works.

Describe five life skills that help individuals meet the challenges of everyday life.

Analyze the relationship between stress and the immune system, referencing the role of white blood cells.

Critique the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model. What are its primary limitations, and how have later theories addressed these shortcomings?

Justify the inclusion of daily 'hassles' as a significant source of stress, despite their seemingly minor nature compared to major life events.

Contrast problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping strategies as conceptualized by Lazarus and Folkman.

Propose one psychological reason why 'eustress' has the potential to turn into 'distress'.

List and explain the three characteristics of a stress-resistant personality, also known as hardiness.