Practice test for Stress and Health.
Note: These questions are part of a larger data base of questions & are selected
to represent the type of question you should expect on exams. Exam questions,
however, may deal with topics not covered in the practice tests or in lectures but are discussed in
your textbook. You are responsible for the content of your text book plus the content of
lectures, interactive activities, & material on the web site.
Use these sample questions to test yourself & to practice for the test.
1. Dean has a comprehensive final exam in three weeks that he is concerned about.
His concerns prompt him to go ahead and start studying and in doing so, he feels less worried
as the exam approaches. In this example, the exam, Dean's concerns, and his behavior may
be seen as an example of _________.
burnout
depression
distress
eustress
2. Researchers today believe that eustress is based off of
___________ of motivation.
Maslow's theory
the arousal theory
the biological theory
the need for affiliation theory
3. Unpredictable, large-scale events that create a great deal of stress and feelings of
treat are called
major life events.
catastrophes.
hassles.
major hassles.
4. A score above 300 on the SRRS would indicate a person has a __________ of becoming
ill or having an accident.
very high risk
average
low risk
no risk
5. In addition to be emotionally intense, many of the items on both the SRRS and the
CUSS are stressful because they
involve the most basic hassles.
cause heart disease.
turn into catastrophes.
lead to mild stress disorder.6.
6. Research suggests the number and perceived severity of daily hassles are strong
predictors of
diabetes.
headaches.
depression.
heart attacks.
7. Based on previous research, who is more likely to experience lack of money as the biggest
daily hassle in their life?
children
adolescents
young adults
elderly people
8. Time pressure is often found to have a negative effect on
creativity.
depression.
predictability.
frustration.
9. Michael was cut from his high school basketball team. He told his friends that he
was cut because the coach did not like him, but his close friends know Michael was
cut because he hardly ever practiced. In this situation, Michael's excuse is an
example of a a(n) __________ frustration, while the fact that he despises practicing
is an example of a(n) __________ frustration.
personal; external
external; personal
internal; external
personal; internal
10. Kina's husband comes home from work angry because of an argument he had with
his boss. Subsequently, Kina's husband begins yelling at her for no apparent reason.
Ultimately, Kina finds herself yelling at their youngest child for apparently no good reason
other than being frustrated. Kina is displaying
escape.
withdrawal.
displaced aggression.
projection.
11. Which of the following major life events is associated with the highest number of life
change units on the SRRS?
Pregnancy
Death of a close family member
Death of a spouse
Divorce
Jail term
12. An example of an internal frustration would be
a relative who does not pay back a debt and prevents a person from buying a much
needed new car.
a shy personality that prevents a person from completing the oral defense for
their dissertation.
a barrier in the road that blocks traffic from passing through on a major highway.
a boss at work that is consistently placing time pressure on his employees.
a parent who prevents a child from going out with his friends.
13. Which of the following is an example of a secondary appraisal?
Viewing a loss of a job as a horrible experience that will be difficult to overcome.
Studying for a difficult test in class and using it as a way to challenge ones current level
of knowledge.
Looking at giving a public speech as an overwhelming experience.
Believing that one has the emotional and problem solving skills to deal with
solving communication problems with a significant other.
Looking at losing weight as a challenge that can be used to increase physical health.
14. Erica was very frustrated with her job and ultimately decided to quit. What do we call
this method of handling frustration?
This approach is called using a scapegoat.
This is an example of an emotion-focused method.
This approach is called escape or withdrawal.
This approach is called ignoring.
15. Keenan is trying to decide if he should go on spring break with his friends to Las
Vegas or with his other friends to Miami Beach, both of which he has enjoyed going to
in the past. Keenan's situation is an example of a(n) __________ conflict.
approach-approach
avoidance-avoidance
approach-avoidance
multiple approach-avoidance
16. In which of Selye's stages is death a possible outcome?
alarm
resistance
reaction
exhaustion
17. According to Richard Lazarus, determining what can be done to deal with one's
stress in an example of a __________ appraisal.
primary
secondary
formal
tertiary
18. Jolene rarely takes any work home, preferring to leave her work at the office. She is a
bit carefree and not as ambitious as some of the other women in her office. Instead, Jolene
likes to have a lot of leisure time whenever possible. She is easygoing and doesn't lose her
temper often, preferring to avoid conflict. Which of the following statements about Jolene is
most likely TRUE?
She is a type A personality.
She is a type B personality.
She is a type C personality.
Jolene's risk of coronary heart disease is high.
19. Azriel seems to thrive on stress and feels very much in control of her life. He would
probably be labeled a __________ personality.
Type A
Type B
Type C
hardy
20. Huong has moved from China to the United States. While she dresses and act like
her American friends, she still has retained much of her cultural heritage and attends
traditional Chinese dance classes on the weekends. This is an example of
assimilation.
integration.
separation.
marginalization.
21. Gary is having trouble with psychology and statistics. He goes to the school's academic
help center for tutoring and spends extra time working on problems at home. Gary's method
of coping is
problem focused.
emotion focused.
defensive focused.
internal.
22. To alleviate her stress, Jenny often closes her eyes and envisions herself on a quiet beach
during sunset. This vision often helps her to relax, especially before talking in front of a crowd.
Such an approach is known as
relaxation.
concentrative meditation.
progressive muscle relaxation.
visualization.
23. Which of the following people may have the greatest ability to cope with stress?
Mary, a very religious person who is involved in her community
Carrie, who works hard but doesn't have any apparent hobbies or other interests
Jeri, who has few friends and whose family lives far away from her
Larry, who is highly driven to succeed
24. Who, if anyone, would consider going shopping as a daily hassle and
therefore stressful?
adolescents
those in their 20's and 30's
senior citizens
Hassles are stressful at any age, and studies do not fine shopping to be a
stressor or hassle at any age.
25. Stressors are more likely to affect health if they are which of the following?
Long lasting
Highly disruptive
Difficult to control
All of these
26. Which of the following statements is true?
The stress response is nonspecific.
Different kinds of stressors produce exactly the same response.
Different people respond to the same stressor differently.
All of these are true.
27. Which of these factors improve coping?
Social support
Optimism
Perceived control
All of these
28. Ali is trying to decide whether to give up his current part-time job. He dislikes the job, but
if he gives it up, he will have no spending money. This is an example of what kind of conflict?
An approach-approach conflict
An approach-avoidance conflict
An avoidance-avoidance conflict
None of these
29. Jackie has been denied a promotion at work. She is not an effective worker, but she believes
she did not get the promotion because her supervisor has a grudge against her. This suggests
that Jackie has which of the following?
A pessimistic personality
An external locus of control
A type A personality
A type B personality
30. What does secondary control involve?
Changing locus of control
Trying to change ones perspective on a situation
Trying to change a problematic situation
None of these
--------------------------------------
Robert C. Gates
And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before
The Tavern shouted---"Open then the Door!
"You know how little while we have to stay,
And, once departed, may return no more.
- Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam