Applied Psychology Quiz 4

Health Psychology Quiz Review

What is the biopsychosocial approach in health psychology? 

It emphasizes the complex social psychological phenomena influence our behaviors 

What does the World Health Organization’s 1948 definition of health state?

Health is a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease.

What percentage of health is influenced by individual behavior according to health statistics?

40%

What are the major segments of health psychology? 

Stress and coping, health behaviors, and issues in healthcare.

What is the focus of health psychology?

Wellness and the prevention of illness

What role do health psychologists play in health promotion?

They intervene at the social or individual level to promote health and prevent illness

How do psychological factors contribute to chronic diseases? 

They influence the development of chronic diseases and help change health-compromising behaviors. 

What is eustress?

Positive stress that presents opportunities for personal growth and satisfaction.

What is distress?

Negative stress that results in debilitative stress and strain.

What are the three stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)? 

Alarm Phase, Resistance Phase, and Exhaustion Phase 

What happens during the alarm phase of the stress response?

The body prepares for Fight or Flight, but immune system effectiveness decreases

What occurs during the resistance phase of stress response?

The body adapts to ongoing stressors, conserving energy and maximizing nutrient absorption.

What are the potential consequences of long-term stress? 

Increased risk of heart attacks, severe infections, chronic pain, or illness. 

What is the difference between acute and chronic stress?

Acute stress is sudden and short-lived, while chronic stress is ongoing and persistent

What are some short-term physical symptoms of stress?

Dry mouth, cool skin, rapid breathing, and feelings of nausea.

What are some long-term physical symptoms of stress? 

Insomnia, change in appetite, chronic aches, and frequent colds. 

What is the cognitive appraisal model in stress management?

It involves primary appraisal (evaluating the stressor) and secondary appraisal (assessing coping resources).

What is problem-focused coping?

A coping strategy that involves facing the stress situation and working to resolve it.

What is emotion-focused coping?

A coping strategy that involves managing emotions related to stress rather than addressing the stressor directly. 

What coping strategy do men generally employ?

Problem-focused coping strategies

What coping strategy do women more often employ?

Emotion-focused strategies

What does the biopsychosocial approach to health include? 

It includes biological, psychological, and social factors. 

What does the Health Belief Model predict?

It predicts behaviors such as preventative dental care, breast self-examination, weight management, AIDS risk-related behaviors, and health risk screening programs.

What are the stages of the Transtheoretical Model?

Pre-contemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance, and Termination/Relapse

What are the most important healthy behaviors to increase?

Getting physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption, not smoking, and eating well. 

What is the estimated cost of workplace stress?

300 Billion

How much does workplace stress contribute to GDP annually?

It contributes 12% of GDP, amounting to $2.2 trillion.

What are some underlying factors influencing gender differences in coping?

Evolutionary perspective, neurobiological factors (oxytocin), and cultural/social influence. 

What does ‘tend and befriend’ refer to in stress response?

It suggests that women’s stress responses are rooted in caregiving and social collaboration.

What are the three major domains of health psychology?

Thoughts, feelings, social relations, health behaviors, and health care context.

Why is communication important in healthcare? 

Effective communication improves diagnosis accuracy, treatment outcomes, and patient satisfaction. 

How does chronic illness affect individuals?

It affects identity and relationships, requiring psychological and social support for coping.

What role do cultural factors play in health psychology?

Cultural beliefs, norms, and stigma influence symptoms and treatment adherence.

What characterizes ‘self-healing personalities’? 

They tend to be optimistic, emotionally balanced, and resilient, linked to better health and longevity. 

What is a classic example of health behavior change regarding smoking?

Education alone isn’t enough; smoking reduction requires a mix of education, laws, taxes, social pressure, and psychological insights.

What are common chronic illnesses that health psychologists help with?

Heart disease, diabetes, cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, asthma, Alzheimer’s, stroke, and epilepsy

What is the leading health risk behavior contributing to preventable death? 

Tobacco use. 

What is the significance of health literacy?

Many patients do not understand prescriptions, diagnoses, or instructions, making health literacy key.

Who were the pioneers in stress and homeostasis research?

Claude Bernard and Walter Cannon.

What did Hans Selye develop?

The General Adaptation Syndrome. 

What is the placebo effect?

It refers to the powerful influence that belief systems can have on health outcomes.

What is the role of health psychologists?

They work in academic, clinical, policy, public health, and corporate settings, focusing on research, education, interventions, and improving healthcare delivery.