Health Psychology Midterm

Health Psychology -- Shelley E. Taylor & Annette L. Stanton (Chapters 1-8)

improve heart health.

The typical reason that people switch to a diet low in cholesterol, fats, and calories is to:

a.) maintain weight.
b.) improve appearance.

c.) improve heart health.
d.) reduce risk of obesity.

lack safe places to exercise

People who live in low socioeconomic status neighborhoods find it difficult to exercise because they

a.) lack time.

c.) lack safe places to exercise.

c.) are socially isolated.

d.) are already engaged in other activities.

they have a strong self-efficacy for exercising

Individuals are more likely to exercise if:

a.) they do not have social support or people to take responsibility for their health.

b.) they have a strong self-efficacy for exercising.

c.) they perceive themselves as lethargic.

d.) they belong to families in which exercise is rarely practiced.

increases cognitive functioning

Exercise is especially beneficial for executive performance, which is a part of planning and higher-order reasoning, because exercise

a.) improves emotional well-being.

b.) improves the sense of self-efficacy.

c.) increases resting heart rate.

d.) increases cognitive functioning

meaning of the event

The process of primary appraisal involves the evaluation of one’s:

a.) current emotional state

b.) coping ability

c.) resources

d.) meaning of the event

personal resources

The process of secondary appraisal approval invovles the evaluation of one’s

a.) current emotional state

b.) perception of the event

c.) personal resources

d.) physical state in the past

Cortisol levels are high upon waking and decrease during the day, reaching a low point in the evening.

Which of the following is an example of a normal daily cortisol pattern?

a.) Cortisol levels are at their highest after meals, such as after lunch and dinner.

b.) Cortisol levels are consistent throughout the day.

c.) Cortisol levels are low in the morning and increase during the day, reaching a high point in the evening.

d.) Cortisol levels are high upon waking and decrease during the day, reaching a low point in the evening.

Allostatic load

________ refers to the physiological costs of chronic exposure to the physiological changes that result from repeated or chronic stress.

a.) Chronic strain

b.) Allostatic load

c.) Coping style

d.) Percieved stress

a significant change in job responsibilities

Which of the following would be considered a stressful life event?

a.) questioning one’s identity and goals

b.) a significant change in job responsibilities

c.) a religious festival in a neighboring city

d.) lack of career fulfillment

Susie, a single mother of a five-year-old boy, works long hours in a low-paying position

Who among the following is most likely to experience illness due to the stress associated with her job?

a.) Miranda, a married mother with two young children, is a lawyer with flexible hours.

b.) Mary Lou, a married mother of two young children, works in a low-paying service job 40 hours per week.

c.) Sally, a single mother of a five-year-old girl, is a lawyer with flexible hours.

d.) Susie, a single mother of a five-year-old boy, works long hours in a low-paying position.

role conflict

Mizrahi has been having difficulty meeting the demands of the two executives who oversee her work and communicate different expectations. One executive is concerned about production and constantly urges Mizrahi to meet performance quotas. The other is concerned about quality assurance and would like Mizrahi to slow down and focus on the quality of her work. This is an example of:

a.) role ambiguity.

b.) role conflict.

c.) work pressure.

d.) overwork.

sustain more health risks

Workers who suffer from work overload _______ when compared with workers who do not experience overload.

a.) sustain more health risks

b.) have a better circadian rhythm

c.) practice better health habits

d.) use more avoidant coping strategies

alarm

The first phase of the general adaption syndrome is

a.) exhaustion.
b.) appraisal.
c.) resistance.
d.) alarm.

exhaustion

According to Selye (1956, 1976), the ________ phase of the general adaption syndrome occurs if the personal fails to overcome the threat and depletes its physiological resources in the process of trying.

a.) resistance

b.) alarm
c.) flight
d.) exhaustion

oxytocin

The primary biological factor in the tend-and-befriend response is:

a.) HPA activation
b.) prolactin.
c.) luteinising hormone.
d.) oxytocin.

HPA axis and sympathetic adrenomedullary

What are two main physiological systems involved in the stress response?

a.) sympathetic nervous system and immune system

b.) HPA axis and sympathetic adrenomedullary
c.) Metabolic system and autonomic nervous system
d.) Cardiovascular system and HPA axis

cortisol

The adrenal cortex produces _______ in response to stress.

acute stress

A(n) _______ paradigm includes bringing people into the laboratory, exposing them to a short-term stressful event, and then observing the impact of that stress of their physiological, neuroendocrine, and psychological response.

a.) induced disease
b.) acute stress
c.) hassles
d.) SRRS

the thoughts and behaviors used to manage the internal and external demands of situations that are appraised as stressful.

Which of the following statements best defines coping?

a.) the thoughts and behaviors used to manage the internal and external demands of situations that are appraised as stressful.
b.) the modification of how stress is experienced and the impact it has on illness and other aspects of life.
c.) the belief that one can determine one’s own behavior, influence one’s environment, and bring.
d.) the information from others that is loved and cared for, esteemed and valued, and part of a network of communications and mutual obligations.

Social inhibition and isolation

High negative affectivity, or neuroticism, is especially detrimental to health when combined with which of the following?

a.) Social inhibition and isolation
b.) Type A personality
c.) Information seeking
d.) Unemployment

one can determine one’s own behavior, influence one’s environment, and bring about desired outcomes.

Psychological control is the belief that

a.) one can determine one’s own behavior, influence one’s environment, and bring about desired outcomes.

one can determine one’s own behavior, influence one’s environment, and bring about desired outcomes.

Psychological control is the belief that:

a.) one can determine one’s own behavior, influence one’s environment, and bring about desired outcomes.
b.) opportunities for rest, relaxation, and renewal can help people cope effectively with stressors.
c.) people positively affirm values that make them feel better about themselves and show lower physiological activity and distress.
d.) people strive for a state of mind marked by heightened awareness of the present and focus on the movement.

Life Orientation Test

People vary with regard to whether they are fundamentally optimistic or pessimistic in nature. The test developed to measure this dispositional optimism is known as the:

a.) Acceptance and Commitment Questionnaire.
b.) Life Events Checklist.
c.) Life Orientation Test.
d.) Brief COPE.

Collective control

_______ maintains that through collaboration with family and friends or with medical practitioners, one may sucessfully cope with a stressful event.

a.) Self-efficacy
b.) Self-control.
c.) Primary control
d.) Collective control

prayer

Surveys show that nearly half the people in the United States deal with their health problems through:

a.) meditation.
b.) writing.
c.) yoga.
d.) prayer.

group identity

Organized religion provides a sense of ______ to people.

a.) group identity.
b.) planning.
c.) negative affectivity.
d.) institutionalism.

approach

James is a lawyer, who worked at a building that recently collapsed in a catastrophic accident. He survived the building collapse by was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) soon after. Over the next few months, he spend time gathering information, talking to other survivors, and organizing resources for his fellow employees. Which of the fllowing coping styles is James using?

a.) avoidant.
b.) regression.
c.) approach.
d.) venting.

proactive coping.

When people anticipate potential stressors and act in advance either to prevent them or to reduce their impact, it is known as:

a.) emotional approach coping.
b.) appraisal-focused coping.
c.) proactive coping.
d.) problem-focused coping.

reduce psychological distress.

Coping efforts are considered to be successful if they:

a.) increase the physiological indicators of arousal.
b.) restrict a person from performing desired activities.
c.) provoke the stress regulatory system.
d.) reduce psychological distress.

promote committed pursuit of core values and life goals.

A main goal of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is to:

a.) help people challenge their thoughts directly.
b.) promote committed pursuit of core values and life goals.
c.) teach people to ignore their thoughts in a mindful manner.
d.) help notice thoughts from a distance and avoid responding to them.

time management

In stress management interventions, __________ helps people set specific goals, establish proiorities, and learn what to ignore.


a.) tangible assistance
b.) self-instruction
c.) time management

d.) emotional support

informational support.

A patient with AIDS decides to approach his friend, who is a health therapist. He feels that his therapist friend is able to help him in ways that his family is unable to. The therapist helps him find ways to cope with the disease and the resulting social pressure. This is an example of:

a.) psychological control.
b.) emotional support.
c.) informational support.
d.) tangible assistance.

one receives help from another but is unaware of it.

Invisible support is when:

a.) there is a perception that social support will be available.
b.) one receives reassurance that he or she is a valuable person.
c.) one receives help from another but is unaware of it.
d.) there is a provision of material assistance.

Dyadic coping.

Cai was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Her partner, Sean, has been very supportive and has been helping Cai to maintain a positive attitude about the diagnosis and upcoming treatment. Sean’s effect on Cai is best described as:

a.) Emotional coping.
b.) Preparation coping.
c.) Dyadic coping.
d.) Interconnected coping.

consolidating memories

The stage of sleep marked by beta waves is important for:

a.) regulating metabolism
b.) consolidating memories
c.) releasing growth hormones.
d.) restoring energy.

Sleep disorders

_______ in women may be tied to hromonal levels related to menopause.

a.) Unhealthy relationships.
b.) Anorexia nervosa
c.) Sleep disorders
d.) Insufficient exercise

chronic insomnia

Roy was an interstate truck driver. He had been driving for the past 12 years, and most of his trips were between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Roy used to take irregular naps during the day, and he also made time for other personal activities. However, over time, he felt fatigued and decided to quit. After years of driving during the night and sleeping for a few hours during the day, Roy is having trouble sleeping at night. Which of the following is the likely cause of Roy’s condition?

a.) chronic insomnia
b.) Alzheimer’s
c.) reduced blood pressure

d.) stress

She is more distracted while eating.

Sandra is under a lot of stress at work. Which of the following most likely describes her eating habits right now?

a.) She practices self-control when around foods high in fat or sugar.
b.) She spends more time planning her meals for the week.
c.) She is more distracted while eating.
d.) She lets others monitor her food consumption.

self-regulation

Training in _______ includes planning skills and formation of explicit behavioral intentions, which can improve dietary adherence.

a.) self-efficacy
b.) self-validation
c.) self-affirmation
d.) self-regulation

contigency contracting

Which of the following techniques is used in cognitive-behavioral interventions to modify diet?

a.) guided imagery
b.) guided participation
c.) contigency contracting
d.) sensitization

behavioral problems

Children who do not get enough sleep usually display:

a.) behavioral problems
b.) weight fluctuations.
c.) low intelligence.
d.) withdrawn attitudes.

developing nightly rituals, such as taking a shower before sleeping

Which of the following treatments is likely to succeed in treating insomnia?

a.) lighting an incense or a fragrant candle in a room at night.
b.) reading in bed.
c.) skipping dinner or eating very little before sleeping.
d.) developing nightly rituals, such as taking a shower before sleeping.

increases cognitive functioning.

Exercise is especially beneficial for executive performance, which is part of planning and higher-order reasoning, because exercise:

a.) improves emotional well-being.
b.) improves the sense of self-efficacy.
c.) increases resting heart rate.
d.) increases cognitive functioning.

fear of radiation

Which of the following is a common reason that deters women from getting regular mammograms?

a.) lack of equipment in hospitals
b.) fear of looking older
c.) distance from health care facilities
d.) fear of radiation

worksite

Softechture Inc., a software company, has organized a workshop for its employees to promote the values of exercise, physical health, and psychological well-being. This kind of workshop is an example of a ______ intervention.

a.) worksite
b.) family-based
c.) dietary
d.) psychological

smoking patterns are highly individualized.

Group interventions may not address the motives underlying smoking habits because

a.) smokers prefer solitude

b.) smoking patterns are highly individualized.
c.) smokers are already aware of the benefits of remaining abstinent.
d.) previous interventions have proven to be unsuccessful.

provides information about health habits that discourage nonsmokers from beginning to smoke.

Mass media has dramatically changed attitudes toward smoking because it:

a.) provides information to smokers about health effects, although it has little effect on their habit.
b.) promotes smoking as a habit adopted by people from high-class societies.
c.) promotes stress management programs that seem to have a great impact on reducing smoking habits.
d.) provides information about health habits that discourage nonsmokers from beginning to smoke.

detoxification

The first phase of treatment programs for hard-core alcoholics is

a.) relapse prevention
b.) detoxification
c.) self-monitoring
d.) rehabilitation

people who are high in socioeconomic status

Alcohol treatment programs are more successful with:

a.) people who are high in socioeconomic status
b.) female clients with histories of anorexia nervosa.
c.) male clients who are in their early twenties.
d.) people who have previously fought addictions to other substances.

enhance participants’ sense of self-efficacy.

Evaluations of alcohol prevention programs for adolescents suggests that such programs:

a.) have little influence on participants’ ability to resist peer pressure.
b.) encourage participants to enroll in self-help programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous
c.) enhance participants’ sense of self-efficacy.
d.) are expensive and ineffective.

smoking

______ is the single greatest cause of preventative death in developed countries by itself and in interaction with other risk factors.

a.) obesity
b.) alcoholism
c.) anorexia
d.) smoking

dopamine

Individuals who possess genes that regulate the functioning of ______ are likely candidates for inheriting smoking influences.

a.) nucleophile
b.) dopamine
c.) pentose
d.) allele

disability

Obesity is the chief cause of:

a.) memory loss
b.) lung cancer
c.) disability
d.) drug abuse

there is a window of vulnerability in adolescence

Which of the following is a characteristic that many health-compromising behaviors share?

a.) they are promoted by mainstream media
b.) they develop quickly
c.) there is a window of vulnerability in adolescence
d.) they are not tied to peer culture

abdominally localized fat

______ is an especially potent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

a.) fat in the buttocks
b.) abdominally localized fat
c.) localized fat in the hips
d.) fat in the thighs

yo-yo dieting

_______ is a method of enhancing the efficiency of food use and lowering the metabolic rate of the body through successive cycles of dieting and weight gain.

a.) Paleolithic dieting
b.) controlled bingeing
c.) Nutrition cycling
d.) yo-yo dieting

theta waves

The lightest and earliest stage of sleep is marked by:

a.) vivid dreams.

b.) increased body temperature.

c.) theta waves.

d.) delta waves.

reduced anxiety

Which of the following is a temporary effect of consuming alcohol?

a.) increased metabolism

b.) lowered self-esteem

c.) increased cognitive functioning

d.) reduced anxiety

craving

John was a chain smoker for ten years. He quit recently, and he has constantly fought against the urge to smoke again. This urge is especially strong when he is around other smokers. John's recurring urge to smoke is an example of:

a.) expectancy.

b.) craving

c.) tolerance.

d.) anorexia.

It is incurable but can often be controlled through medication and behavioral interventions

Identify a true statement about epilepsy:

a.) It is incurable but can often be controlled through medication and behavioral interventions
b.) It results in progressive degeneration of the basal ganglia, a group of nuclei in the brain that control smooth motor coordination.
c.) It is caused by the disintegration of myelin, a fatty membrane that surrounds nerve fibers.

loss of muscle tone and disturbances in posture.

Damage to the cerebellum is associated with:

a.) loss of muscle tone and disturbances in posture.
b.) alterations in the rate of breathing.
c.) loss of muscle tone and disturbances in posture.
d.) inability to regulate the endocrine system.

facilitate the entry of glucose into the bodily tissues

The primary role of insulin is to:

a.) stimulate gastric secretions to promote digestion

b.) facilitate the entry of glucose into the bodily tissues
c.) diminish fat storage in adipocytes

diarrhea

Which of the following digestive system disorders is characterized by watery and frequent bowel movements and occurs when the lining of the small and large intestines cannot properly absorb water or digested food?

a.) diarrhea
b.) gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
c.) peptic ulcer
d.) appendicitis

when deposits of cholesterol form plaques that narrow the arteries.

Atherosclerosis occurs:

a.) when flow of blood from the right atrium to the right ventricle is interrupted.
b.) when the heart muscle is weakened by injury or illness
c.) during an acute cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack.
d.) when deposits of cholesterol form plaques that narrow the arteries.

alveoli and the capillaries

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide during respiration occurs between the:

a.) alveoli and the arteries
b.) primary bronchi and the secondary bronchi
c.) bronchioles and the arteries.
d.) alveoli and the capillaries

megakaryocytes

What blood cell produces platelets?

Antimicrobial substances

___ are chemicals produced by the body that kill invading microorganisms.

a.) Phagocytes
b.) Antimicrobial substances
c.) Inflammatory responses
d.) Anatomical barriers

Granulocytes

The largest group of cells involved in natural immunity
a.)Osteocytes
b.) Granulocytes
c.) Lymphocytes
d.) Oocytes

Somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system

Which two branches make up the peripheral nervous system?

Control water balance in body

One of the chief functions of the kidney is to:

a.) Control secretions in cortex region of adrenal gland
b.) Control water balance in body
c.) Control chemical composition in blood
d.) Control the functioning of smooth muscle

T

Does estrogen develop secondary sex characteristics?

T or F?

pulmonary arteries

The right atrium and right ventricle pump blood back to the lungs via….

a.) arterial arteries
b.) pulmonary arteries

is often performed automatically, without awareness

A health habit is a health behavior that:

a.) is not always beneficial to an individual’s metabolism and immune system.

b.) is often performed automatically, without awareness.

c.) is especially important for at-risk individuals to adopt.

d.) is only performed under the supervision of health specialists.

cognitive restructuring

Mark’s weight-loss counselor has observed that he has a self-defeating pattern of beliefs and cognitions about his inability to control overeating. Specifically, when he eats something that is not allowed on his diet, he instantly loses hope and ponders over her weak willpower. Mark’s counselor is trying to encourage him to think otherwise and continue with his diet routine even if he waivers a few times. In this case, the therapist is utilizing a technique called:

a.) cognitive restructuring.

b.) self-monitoring.

c.) self-punishment.

d.) positive reinforcement.

are made up of attitudes toward a specific action, subjective norms regarding the action, and perceived behavioral control.

According to the theory of planned behavior, behavioral intentions:

a.) are made up of three components, namely autonomous motivation, perceived competence and perceived behavioral control.

b.) depend on perceived health threats, perceived threat reduction, and perceived behavioral control.

c.) are made up of attitudes toward a specific action, subjective norms regarding the action, and perceived behavioral control.

d.) depend on perceptions of vulnerability, magnitude of health threat, and perceived behavioral control.

subjective norm

After hearing her doctor’s recommendation, Jin is now trying to make healthier food choices. Which factor in the theory of planned behavior is contributing to Jin’s attempt?

a.) subjective norm

b.) perceived control

c.) attitude

d.) all of the above

a family without health insurance not getting their children vaccinated

In the context of behavior change, which of the following scenarios exemplifies a perceived barrier?

a.) an adolescent girl resorting to smoking to reduce her nervousness in social situations.

b.) a man believing that dietary change would not reduce his risk of a heart attack.

c.) a woman suffering from stress caused by the recognition of her risk of getting breast cancer.

d.) a family without health insurance not getting their children vaccinated

banning smoking in the workplace

Identify an example of social engineering.

a.) banning smoking in the workplace

b.) staying away from bars to avoid drinking

c.) obtaining training to improve social skills

d.) riding one’s home of unhealthy and fattening foods

systematically rewarding oneself to increase or decrease the occurrence of a target behavior.

Self-reinforcement involves:

a.) systematically rewarding oneself to increase or decrease the occurrence of a target behavior.
b) learning that occurs from witnessing another person perform a behavior.

c.) home practice activities that support the goals of a therapeutic intervention.

d.) forming a contract with another person detailing what rewards or punishments are contingent on the performance of a behavior.

similarity

The most important principle in modeling is:

a.) similarity.
b.) differentiation.
c.) synergy.

d.) persuasion.

The client gradually takes up responsibility for behavior change

Which of the following is an advantage of using behavioral assignments?

a.) The client gradually takes up responsibility for behavior change.

b.) The therapist becomes involved in the treatment.
c.) The therapist produces an analysis of the behavior that is useful in planning interventions.
d.) The client commits to the treatment program only when a legal agreement is established

social anxiety

Adolescents often begin to drink or smoke to reduce their nervousness in social situations by trying to communicate a cool and sophisticated image. This behavior is usually a response to:

a.) depression.
b.) social anxiety.
c.) relapse.
d.) medication.

Cue elimination

_____ involves restructuring the environment to avoid situations that evoke a target behavior. 

a.) Modeling

b.) Preparation

c.) Cue elimination 

d.) Discriminative stimulus

contemplation

In the taking action. stage of the transtheoretical model of behavior change, people are aware that they have a problem and are thinking about it but have not yet made a commitment to:

a.) preparation
b.) action
c.) contemplation
d.) maintenance

psychological distress

Threatening messages that are designed to change health behaviors can cause and lead people to respond defensively.

a.) psychological distress
b.) physiological symptoms
c.) physical stress
d.) negative perceptions

unrealistically optimistic

Most people do not perceive their risks correctly, and they view their poor health behaviors as shared by everyone. This perception is often:

a.) unrealistically optimistic.
b.) socially influenced.
c.) unrealistically pessimistic.
d.) unambiguous.

Positive

_________ messages are more persuasive for encouraging health behaviors, such as skin cancer prevention, smoking cessation, and physical activity.

a.) Prevention
b.) Positive
c.) Negative
d.) Promotion-oriented

are made up of attitudes toward a specific action, subjective norms regarding the action, and perceived behavioral control.

According to the theory of planned behavior, behavioral intentions:

a.) are made up of three components, namely autonomous motivation, perceived competence and perceived behavioral control.
b.) depend on perceived health threats, perceived threat reduction, and perceived behavioral control.
c.) are made up of attitudes toward a specific action, subjective norms regarding the action, and perceived behavioral control.

people will change their health habits if they have good information about their habits.

The rationale underlying self-monitoring is that:

a.) people must understand the dimensions of a poor health habit before a change can begin.
b.) people should believe that a health measure will reduce potential health threats.
c.) people will change their health habits if they have good information about their habits.
d.) people should be afraid of their poor health habits in order to induce change.

it signals that a positive reinforcement will occur.

A discriminative stimulus is important because

a.) its occurrence helps to eliminate a target behavior.
b.) it is incapable of eliciting a target behavior.
c.) it signals that a positive reinforcement will occur.
d.) it helps in distracting an individual from performing a target behavior.

the beliefs that people hold about their health habits.

Cognitive-behavior therapy focuses heavily on:

a.) the perception of a personal health threat and perceived threat reduction.
b.) educating and changing attitudes.
c.) persuasive messages that elicit fear.
d.) the beliefs that people hold about their health habits.

Health psychology

psychological influences on

• how people stay healthy

• why they become ill, and

• how they respond when they do get ill.

etiology

origins or causes of illness

psychosomatic medicine

specific illnesses are produced by people’s internal conflicts

biopsychosocial model

• health + illness both emphasized

• health is an achievement that results from paying attention to bio, psych, social needs

• macro + micro level processes interact

  • macro → social support

  • micro → biochemical imbalances

biomedical model

• model of illness that treats the mind and the body as separate entities and emphasizes illness concerns over health

• emphasize illness over mental health rather than behaviors to promote health

theory

• a set of analytic statements that explain a set of phenomena, such as why people practice poor health behaviors

• provide guidelines for how to do research and interventions

Freud

• united body & mind.

• unconscious conflicts

• physical disturbances symbolize repressed psychological conflicts

Epidemiology

study of the frequency, distribution, and causes of infectious and noninfectious diseases in a population

Morbidity

refers to the number of cases of a disease that exist at some given point in time.

• can be expressed as a number or new cases (incidence)

• or a total number of existing cases (prevalence)