Question 1

Which of the following best describes the main focus of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)?

Accepted Answer

The study of how psychological processes, the nervous system, and the immune system interact to influence health and disease.

Question 2

According to Lazarus & Folkman’s Transactional Stress Model, what is the primary appraisal stage?

Accepted Answer

Evaluating whether an event is relevant, harmful, threatening, or challenging.

Question 3

Which of the following is a key criticism of Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model?

Accepted Answer

It ignores individual differences in perception and appraisal of stressors.

Question 4

Which personality trait is the strongest predictor of coronary heart disease according to research on Type A, B, and D behavior patterns?

Accepted Answer

Hostility

Question 5

A student receives a low grade on a test and decides to review their mistakes and ask the teacher for help. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Problem-focused coping

Question 6

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of learned helplessness?

Accepted Answer

A person stops trying to escape a stressful situation after repeated failures.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a stage in Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Recovery

Question 8

Which of the following coping strategies is most likely to be considered maladaptive?

Accepted Answer

Excessive screen time and doomscrolling

Question 9

According to the Big Five personality traits, which trait is most strongly associated with academic and job success?

Accepted Answer

Conscientiousness

Question 10

Which defense mechanism involves attributing one’s own unacceptable impulses to someone else?

Accepted Answer

Projection

Question 11

A person who believes that their actions directly influence outcomes in their life is said to have:

Accepted Answer

An internal locus of control

Question 12

Which of the following is a key finding from Pennebaker’s expressive writing studies?

Accepted Answer

Writing about trauma improves immune function and reduces health visits.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the role of the HPA axis in the stress response?

Accepted Answer

It triggers the release of cortisol and adrenaline, which can suppress immune cell activity over time.

Question 14

Which of the following is a characteristic of the 'hardiness' personality trait?

Accepted Answer

Viewing change as an opportunity for growth

Question 15

Which of the following is a likely consequence of chronic stress on the immune system?

Accepted Answer

Suppressed lymphocyte activity and increased illness vulnerability

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a cataclysmic stressor?

Accepted Answer

A natural disaster affecting an entire community

Question 17

Which of the following statements about the Big Five personality traits is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

High agreeableness and low neuroticism predict healthy relationships.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the concept of reciprocal determinism in social cognitive theory?

Accepted Answer

Personality is shaped by the interaction between behavior, cognition, and environment.

Question 19

Which of the following is a core symptom of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Accepted Answer

Re-experiencing the traumatic event through flashbacks or nightmares

Question 20

Which of the following is a finding from research on the effects of technology and screen time on mental health?

Accepted Answer

More screen time is associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression.

Stress, Health, and Personality: Psychoneuroimmunology and Trait Theories

Study Guide - Practice Questions