Exam 15: Social Psychology and Health

Mr. Smith's husband just died. Based on the work presented by the authors of your text, if he's like the majority of widows/widowers, he will respond by __________.

Mary lives in a large city, which has high levels of pollution. Mary is more likely to have __________ deficits compared to children who grow up in less-polluted areas.

Hiro, who is Japanese, is struggling with demands and schedules at work. He is not very likely to ask for social support from his family and friends. Why?

Based on information from your text on an internal sense of control, who is most likely to be psychologically well adjusted?

Consider the findings from the study on stress and the immune system. On a college campus, when would students be most susceptible to catching a cold?

Contrast the definition of stress used by Holmes and Rahe (1967) with the definition used by Lazarus (1966) in his approach to studying stress.

Thinking about the "tend-and-befriend" response to stress discussed in your text, befriending refers to __________.

The definition of resilience can best be rephrased as __________.

According to most social psychologists, stress is defined as the negative feelings and beliefs that arise when people __________.

People with a strong external locus of control are best described as believing __________.

Based on the conceptualization of stress by Holmes and Rahe (1967), who is most likely to experience stress?

Researchers, Taylor and colleagues (2000), suggest that most research on the fight-or-flight response is limited by having been done primarily on __________.

Mia and Bailey are both exposed to a virus that causes the common cold when they are studying for finals with their friend Katie. Bailey has been experiencing more negative stress events in her life than Mia. Based on research completed by Cohen, Tyrrell, & Smith (1991, 1993), Cohen et al. (2008) and Marsland, Bachen, & Cohen (2012), what is the likelihood that Mia and Bailey will get a cold?

How might perceived control be detrimental when dealing with an illness? Perceived control may __________.

The authors of your text suggest that many health problems stem from behaviors associated with sex, eating, drinking, and smoking because they __________.

Joanne Hill, who is described in the introduction, attributes her strength in the face of adversity to __________.

According to research by Taylor and her colleagues (1984), __________ is likely to reduce stress related to a negative life event such as cancer, and can actually prolong life.

Describe gender differences in coping with stress. Discuss why such differences might exist, and the implications for health.

Patrick has experienced a large number of changes in his life. He's lost his job, is getting a divorce, is facing income tax evasion charges, and his wife is expecting a child. Patrick has also reported an increase in anxiety and has been sick a lot over the last six months. Some researchers would suggest that increased stress has taken a toll on Patrick's health. Others would suggest that __________ better account(s) for this coincidence.

Six months ago, a nursing home started a program in which some residents were allowed to choose their daily activities. All else being equal, which of the following residents is likely to die soonest?