Possible Stress Questions

Stress as a bodily response

Outline the main features of Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome      (6)

(Lost count of times it’s been asked!)

Identify the 3 stages of Selye’s GAS  in the correct order and       (3)

Outline two ways in which the body responds to stress   (3 + 3)

Outline the key components of the pituitary-adrenal system  (4)

Describe the procedures and findings of one study into the effects of stress on the immune system.     (6)

Describe the procedures and findings of one study into the relationship between stress and cardiovascular disorders.      (6)

Describe the procedures and findings of one study of the relationship between stress and physical illness   (6)

Describe the findings and conclusions of one study of the relationship between stress and physical illness.    (6)

Outline how the body responds to stress.     (6)

Outline the impact that stress may have on the immune system.   (6)

Sources of Stress

Describe the procedures and findings of one study of workplace stressors    (6)

Outline findings and/or conclusions of research into workplace stressors.    (6)

Describe the procedures and findings of one study into the role played by culture in modifying the effects of stressors.    (6)

Describe the ways in which gender may modify the effects of stressors    (6)

Outline the role of personality in modifying the effects of stressors.   (6)

Outline two factors which can modify the effects of stressors     (3 + 3)

Outline and explain two stressors commonly found in the workplace    (3 + 3)

Identify and explain two sources of stress   (3 + 3)

Outline findings of research into the role of ‘control’ in stress.  (6)

Outline one way in which personality may modify the effects of stressors.  (3)

Outline one way in which gender may modify the effects of stressors. (3)

Outline findings and/or conclusions of research into life changes as a source of stress (e.g. Holmes and Rahe).       

Susan is an example of someone who would be described as Type A.  Describe one or more characteristics of Susan’s personality.  (2)

Describe one or more other personality factors which night explain how people react differently to stress    (4)

Outline some of the difficulties psychologists have encountered when investigating the relationship between life changes and stress    (4)

(a) Identify one source of stress in the workplace.    (1)

(b) Outline what research has shown about how this source of stress can affect an individual. (2)

Discuss psychological evidence that suggests personality can affect our experience of stress. (6)

(b) Use your knowledge of psychology to explain why Paula might be feeling unwell.    (4 marks)

Stress management

Describe one physical approach (e.g. drugs, biofeedback) to stress management    (6)

Explain one psychological approach to stress management   (6)

Outline one strength and one weakness of one method of stress management    (3 + 3)

Outline one strength and one weakness of one physical method of stress reduction   (3 + 3)

Outline one method of managing the negative effects of stress.     (6)

Explain how emotion-focused approaches differ from problem-focused methods of coping with stress     (4)

In response to rising stress levels in the local population, a Health Service Provider was keen to provide stress management techniques as part of the treatments they offered.  One technique that was introduced involved helping a client to identify his/her negative, irrational thoughts and to replace them with more positive, rational methods of thinking. The therapist helps a client to understand better where their faulty thinking is leading, by the client and therapist working together using role play so that the consequences of the faulty thinking can be plainly seen. New goals are then set for the client, so that more realistic and rational beliefs are included into his/her ways of thinking.

(a) (i) Identify the stress management strategy outlined above.       (1)

(a) (ii) Explain one reason why this stress management technique could prove to be effective. (2)

(b) Explain one limitation of the stress management technique described above.  (2)

 Outline the use of drugs in the control of stress.       (4)

Angela and David are both city lawyers.  David is always in a rush, often snapping at his secreatry and blaming her when things go wrong.  He seems to be suffering from stress.  Angela's job is just as demanding but she copes well, always seems very positive, and yet in spite of long hours, makes time to meet her friends after work. 

Essay style questions: all worth 12 marks

To what extent does research (theories and/or studies) show a relationship between stress and physical illness?

To what extent does research suggest a link between stress and the immune system?

Discuss research into the relationship between stress and cardiovascular disorders.

‘Life changes, even if they are positive, are always a source of stress.’

To what extent have life changes been shown to be a source of stress?

‘A major source of stress is the sense of not being in control.’

Evaluate the role of control in the perception of stress.

‘Stress in the workplace will become the epidemic of the 21^st century.’

Evaluate the contribution of two or more factors to stress in the workplace.

Discuss how factors in the workplace may affect stress

Evaluate attempts to identify the sources of stress experienced in everyday life. To what extent have the effects of stressors been shown to be modified by personality and/or gender?   (Can ask for just one of these)

Outline and evaluate research (theories and/or studies) into the way in which personality and/or gender modify the effects of stressors.

Consider the extent to which individual differences may modify the effects of stressors.

‘To be effective, stress management techniques must target both the psychological and physical aspects of stress.’

Consider the effectiveness of physiological approaches to stress management.

Outline and evaluate one or more psychological methods of stress management (e.g. stress inoculation training, increasing hardiness)

Outline and evaluate the contribution of two or more factors to stress in the workplace

Consider the effectiveness of physiological approaches to stress management

“Psychological research has provided evidence to support the view that stress can be caused by life changes. It has also provided evidence of individual differences in response to sources of stress.”  Discuss the view that stress is environmentally determined.