128 exam-style questions on Contexts: Applied psychology (all four studied by SL and HL) with answers and explanations. Six real samples below — the full set is free with an account.
In Selye's (1956) General Adaptation Syndrome, what is the correct order of the three stages of the stress response?
Answer: Alarm, resistance, exhaustion
Selye's (1956) General Adaptation Syndrome describes alarm (initial fight-or-flight arousal), resistance (the body adapts and copes with the stressor), and exhaustion (resources deplete, increasing vulnerability to illness) as the sequence of the stress response.
Kiecolt-Glaser et al. (1984) studied medical students during exams and found that stress was associated with:
Answer: Reduced natural killer cell activity
Kiecolt-Glaser et al. (1984) took blood samples from medical students before and during exams. Natural killer cell activity was lower during the high-stress exam period, providing evidence that psychological stress can suppress the immune system.
In Prochaska & DiClemente's transtheoretical (stages of change) model, a person who intends to change within the next six months but has not yet acted is in which stage?
Answer: Contemplation
The transtheoretical model's stages are precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance. In contemplation, individuals are aware of a problem and are seriously thinking about changing (typically within six months) but have not yet committed to action.
In Lazarus & Folkman's (1984) transactional model, an appraisal that asks 'What resources do I have to cope with this stressor?' is termed:
Answer: Secondary appraisal
Lazarus & Folkman (1984) distinguished primary appraisal (evaluating whether a situation is threatening) from secondary appraisal (evaluating one's coping resources and options). Stress arises when demands are judged to exceed available resources, and coping may be problem-focused or emotion-focused.
Which of the following is a biomedical treatment for depression?
Answer: an SSRI antidepressant medication
Biomedical treatments act on biological processes (e.g. medication); the other options are psychological therapies.
According to cognitive explanations, depression is most closely associated with
Answer: the negative cognitive triad
Cognitive models emphasise negative schemas and biased interpretation; these interact with biological and social factors.
128 Contexts: Applied psychology (all four studied by SL and HL) questions — free with an account. Spaced repetition, streaks and full exam simulations included.
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