Psychology Chapter 4 - Arousal And Stress

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1. What is a fight-flight response?

Dance-dance response that involves spontaneous dancing when faced with a threat.

Situation-neutral response that has no effect on the body's physiological state.

Activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
The adaptive response that occurs automatically, resulting an increase of arousal that prepares the body to confront the stressor (fight) or running away (flight). The fight-flight response maximises our chances of survival when confronted by a threat.

Stay-calm response activated by the parasympathetic nervous system.

The fight-flight response is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival. It involves activation of the sympathetic nervous system, rather than the parasympathetic nervous system. The fight-flight response does not involve staying calm or being situation-neutral; it is a response that prepares the body for physical action. The concept of a dance-dance response is not a recognized physiological reaction to threat.

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About This Quiz

Explore the dynamics of arousal and stress, focusing on Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome. This assessment deepens understanding of physiological and psychological stress responses, essential for students and professionals... see morein psychology. see less

2. What is the polygraph and its function?

An instrument designed to detect paranormal activity.

A tool used for analyzing handwriting to determine personality traits.

A machine used for measuring the levels of oxygen in the bloodstream.

A device that detects/records several physiologicalresponses at the same time, enabling measurement of general bodily arousal

The correct answer provides a clear description of the polygraph and its function, which is to detect multiple physiological responses to measure general bodily arousal. The incorrect answers are unrelated or inaccurate in describing the polygraph.

Explanation

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3. What does psychosomatic refer to?

Physical symptoms caused by genetic factors

Mental symptoms caused by physical factors

Genuine phsyical symptons caused by psychological factors

Physical symptoms caused by infections

Psychosomatic refers to the connection between the mind and body, where genuine physical symptoms are triggered or worsened by psychological factors. The incorrect answers provide plausible but inaccurate explanations that do not capture the essence of psychosomatic conditions.

Explanation

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4. What is the relationship between stress and disease?

Stress actually improves overall health and is beneficial for the body.

Various research studies found out that stress contributesto the ineffective functioning of the immune system E.g. hormones that are released during the flight-fightresponse, while preparing our body for the perceived threat, may also suppressthe activity of the immune system. So it has been proposed that harmful cellsentering the body may not be detected quickly enough to be eliminated,resulting in illness.

Stress has no impact on the body's immune system.

There is no connection between stress and the development of diseases.

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5. How does the fight-flight response help with survival?

Causes the central nervous system to shut down temporarily, leading to decreased response to danger.

Stimulates the release of oxytocin, promoting feelings of social bonding and trust instead of preparing for the threat.

Activates the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, increasing levels of arousal, heightening our awareness/alertness and prepare us for the threat.

Triggers the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, inducing relaxation and calmness in threatening situations.

The fight-flight response helps with survival by activating the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, increasing arousal levels to prepare the individual for the threat.

Explanation

The fight-flight response helps with survival by activating the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, increasing arousal levels to prepare the individual for the threat.

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6. What is the Alarm stage in response to stress?

This is stage four - increase of arousal and the body's resistance to the stressor increases

This is stage one individual's awareness of the stressor

Shock stage - body goes into temporary state of shock, and its ability to deal with the stressor falls below its normal level.
body physiologically acts as though it is injured e.g. body temperature drops.

Couner-shock stage -
the activation of the sympathetic division
increase of arousal and the body's resistance to the stressor increases.
Body becomes highly alert as it is prepared to deal with the stressor.

This is stage two - body goes into temporary state of shock

This is stage three - the activation of the sympathetic division

The Alarm stage is the first stage of the body's response to stress, where an individual becomes aware of the stressor and prepares to deal with it.

Explanation

The Alarm stage is the first stage of the body's response to stress, where an individual becomes aware of the stressor and prepares to deal with it.

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7. Pauline was almost hit by a car when she ran across the road. State physiological changes and an explanation for them.

Decrease in heart rate - reduces blood flow to brain and muscles.

Constricted pupils - decreases light entering the eye and impairs vision.

Decreased blood pressure - decreases flow of oxygen to body.

Dilated pupils - more light can enter the eye and enhance vision
Release of hormone adrenaline - releases energy for action
Increased heart rate -increases blood flow to brain and muscles
Increased blood pressure - increases flow of oxygen to body

When facing a sudden threat like almost being hit by a car, the body responds by dilating pupils to enhance vision, releasing adrenaline for quick energy, increasing heart rate to supply more blood to essential organs, and elevating blood pressure to boost oxygen flow - the incorrect options mentioned would have contrary effects in such a situation.

Explanation

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8. At what stage of the GAS is a major psychosomatic illness most likely to occur?

Alarm Stage 1

Resistance Stage 2

Recovery Stage 4

Most likely to occur in the Exhaustion Stage 3 of the General Adaption Syndrome.

This is because the body can no longer deal with the stressor, and the body's mental, physical and emotional resources are depleted. The immune system is weak due to the release of cortisol and the body is vulnerable to physical illnesses and infection.

In the Exhaustion Stage 3 of the General Adaption Syndrome, the body's resources are depleted, making it vulnerable to psychosomatic illnesses.

Explanation

In the Exhaustion Stage 3 of the General Adaption Syndrome, the body's resources are depleted, making it vulnerable to psychosomatic illnesses.

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9. How can relaxation in reference to the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) help with stress?

Decreases parasympathetic nervous system function, causing increased arousal

Helps boost the parasympathetic nervous system division to calm the body

reduces sympathetic nervous system operation to lower arousal
helps to increase bodys immune response

Increases sympathetic nervous system activity, leading to higher stress levels

Suppresses the immune system response, making the body more vulnerable to stress

Relaxation techniques related to the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) help by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, and enhancing the body's immune response to combat stress.

Explanation

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10. What are the limitations of using a polygraph as a lie detector?

Does not detect lies, just physiological responses

high levels of arousal may not be due to lying and may be another emotion under than guilt

Some people can lie without showing physiological arousal

Relaxation techniques, drugs, can prevent arousal when telling a lie

Baseline of arousal may be artifically elevated by self-inflicting pain when control questions are asked

Polygraphs can effectively differentiate between truth and lies in all individuals

Everyone shows the same physiological responses when lying

Poygraphs are always accurate in detecting lies

A polygraph measures physiological responses such as heart rate, blood pressure, and skin conductance, which can indicate stress or arousal, not necessarily lying. Therefore, it is possible for individuals to deceive the polygraph by controlling their physiological responses or by not experiencing stress during lies.

Explanation

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11. What kind of graph of the galvanic response GSR would indicate lying, according to police?

The graph will show inconsistent fluctuations in the GSR response, making it difficult to determine if the person is lying or telling the truth.

The graph will show no change in the GSR response regardless of the type of question asked.

The graph will show a sharp increase in the GSR response when a critical/relevant question was asked. The increase in the GSR is due to increased arousal due to guilt and is a sign of lying.

The graph will show a gradual decrease in the GSR response when a critical/relevant question was asked.

Police assume that a sharp increase in GSR response indicates lying due to the increased arousal from guilt, making it a sign of deception.

Explanation

Police assume that a sharp increase in GSR response indicates lying due to the increased arousal from guilt, making it a sign of deception.

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12. Assuming that Nick was innocent, and he wanted the polygraph to show that he was innocent. Give a reason for the change in Galvanic Skin response.

Anxiety, fear, illness (cauusing variations in body temperature)

Excitement, anticipation

Happiness, relaxation

Confidence, certainty

When a person is innocent but still undergoes a polygraph test to prove their innocence, anxiety, fear, and illness can trigger changes in their galvanic skin response due to the stress of the situation.

Explanation

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