AQA A-level Psychology · 4.3.7

Stress

50 exam-style questions with answers for 4.3.7 Stress in AQA A-level Psychology (spec 7182). Practise with flashcards, a topic quiz, a random quiz across the course, 5 crosswords, or read every question and answer below. Not official AQA material.

All 50 questions and answers

Question 1 · Spec 4.3.7 · General adaptation syndrome
Outline Selye's general adaptation syndrome (GAS). [3 marks]
Answer:
Alarm reaction: the stressor is perceived and the HPA and sympathomedullary pathways are activated, releasing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol (1); resistance: if the stressor continues, the body adapts and appears to be coping, but resources are being depleted (1); exhaustion: after long-term exposure, the body's systems can no longer maintain normal function, and illness may develop (1).
Question 2 · Spec 4.3.7 · General adaptation syndrome
Explain one strength of the general adaptation syndrome. [2 marks]
Answer:
Selye's research on rats showed the same physiological response to a range of stressors, e.g. cold and surgical injury (1); this suggests a universal, non-specific stress response that may apply to humans (1).
Question 3 · Spec 4.3.7 · General adaptation syndrome
Explain one limitation of the general adaptation syndrome. [2 marks]
Answer:
It was based on rats, and humans may respond differently because of cognitive factors, e.g. how a stressor is perceived (1); and illness in the exhaustion stage may be due to raised cortisol, not depleted resources (1).
Question 4 · Spec 4.3.7 · HPA axis
Outline the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system. [4 marks]
Answer:
When a chronic stressor is perceived, the hypothalamus releases CRH into the bloodstream (1); CRH causes the pituitary gland to release ACTH (1); ACTH travels to the adrenal cortex, which releases cortisol (1); cortisol releases glucose for energy and suppresses the immune system, and a negative feedback system reduces CRH and ACTH when cortisol levels are high (1).
Question 5 · Spec 4.3.7 · Sympathomedullary pathway
Outline the sympathomedullary pathway. [3 marks]
Answer:
When an acute stressor is perceived, the hypothalamus activates the sympathetic nervous system (1); this stimulates the adrenal medulla to release adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream (1); this produces the fight or flight response, e.g. increased heart rate and breathing (1).
Question 6 · Spec 4.3.7 · Cortisol
Outline the role of cortisol in the stress response. [3 marks]
Answer:
Cortisol is released from the adrenal cortex in response to chronic stress (1); it provides a quick burst of energy and lowers sensitivity to pain (1); but high levels over time suppress the immune system and impair cognitive function (1).
Question 7 · Spec 4.3.7 · Physiology of stress
Explain the difference between the HPA axis and the sympathomedullary pathway. [2 marks]
Answer:
The sympathomedullary pathway responds to acute (short-term) stressors and releases adrenaline (1); the HPA axis responds to chronic (long-term) stressors and releases cortisol (1).
Question 8 · Spec 4.3.7 · Immunosuppression
Explain how stress may lead to immunosuppression. [2 marks]
Answer:
Chronic stress causes the release of cortisol, which suppresses the immune system (1); this reduces the production of lymphocytes, making the body more vulnerable to infection (1).
Question 9 · Spec 4.3.7 · Immunosuppression
Outline Kiecolt-Glaser et al.'s (1984) study of stress and immunosuppression. [3 marks]
Answer:
A natural experiment with 75 medical students (1); blood samples were taken a month before and during their exams (1); natural killer cell activity was lower during exams, especially in those who reported loneliness and life events (1).
Question 10 · Spec 4.3.7 · Immunosuppression
Explain one limitation of research into stress and immunosuppression. [2 marks]
Answer:
Studies are often correlational, so we cannot conclude stress causes illness (1); and individual differences mean stress may not suppress immunity in everyone, e.g. Segerstrom and Miller (2004) found short-term stress may enhance immunity (1).
Question 11 · Spec 4.3.7 · Cardiovascular disorders
Explain how stress may lead to cardiovascular disorders. [3 marks]
Answer:
Stress activates the sympathomedullary pathway, increasing heart rate and blood pressure (1); this can damage blood vessels, leading to hypertension (1); stress also raises blood glucose and fat levels, which can lead to blocked arteries and coronary heart disease (1).
Question 12 · Spec 4.3.7 · Cardiovascular disorders
Outline one study supporting a link between stress and cardiovascular disorders. [2 marks]
Answer:
Williams (2000) measured anger in 13,000 people and followed them for six years (1); those with high anger were twice as likely to have a heart attack as those with low anger (1).
Question 13 · Spec 4.3.7 · Life changes
What are life changes? [2 marks]
Answer:
Significant events in a person's life that require psychological adjustment, e.g. divorce, bereavement or marriage (1); they can be a source of stress, and their effects can add up (1).
Question 14 · Spec 4.3.7 · Life changes
Outline Rahe et al.'s (1970) study of life changes and illness. [3 marks]
Answer:
2700 US Navy sailors completed a version of the SRRS (the Schedule of Recent Experiences) before a tour of duty (1); their illness records during the tour were recorded (1); there was a positive correlation of +0.118 between life change units and illness score, suggesting life changes are linked to illness (1).
Question 15 · Spec 4.3.7 · Life changes
Explain one limitation of research into life changes. [2 marks]
Answer:
Correlations between life changes and illness are weak, e.g. +0.118 (1); and life changes ignore individual differences in how people respond, e.g. divorce may be a relief for some (1).
Question 16 · Spec 4.3.7 · Daily hassles
What are daily hassles? [2 marks]
Answer:
Everyday irritations that cause stress, e.g. traffic jams or losing keys (1); their effects can accumulate and may be a greater source of stress than life changes (1).
Question 17 · Spec 4.3.7 · Daily hassles
Outline one study showing a link between daily hassles and stress. [2 marks]
Answer:
DeLongis et al. (1988) found no relationship between life events and health, but a positive correlation between daily hassles and next-day health problems (1); this suggests daily hassles may be more harmful than life changes (1).
Question 18 · Spec 4.3.7 · Daily hassles
Explain how the amplification hypothesis explains the effect of daily hassles. [2 marks]
Answer:
Life changes may deplete a person's psychological resources (1); so they are less able to cope with daily hassles, which become more stressful (1).
Question 19 · Spec 4.3.7 · Workplace stress
Explain how workload and control affect workplace stress. [3 marks]
Answer:
A high workload, e.g. long hours or many tasks, increases stress (1); low control, e.g. having little say in how work is done, also increases stress (1); Karasek's job-strain model proposes the combination of high demands and low control is particularly stressful (1).
Question 20 · Spec 4.3.7 · Workplace stress
Outline Marmot et al.'s (1997) study of workplace stress. [3 marks]
Answer:
Over 7000 civil servants were questioned about workload and control, and followed for five years (1); high workload was not linked to cardiovascular disease (1); but participants with low control were significantly more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, suggesting control is the key factor (1).
Question 21 · Spec 4.3.7 · Workplace stress
Explain one limitation of research into workplace stress. [2 marks]
Answer:
Marmot's sample was civil servants, who may not be representative of other workers (1); and individual differences mean some people prefer having low control, e.g. those with an external locus of control (1).
Question 22 · Spec 4.3.7 · Measuring stress
Outline the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS). [3 marks]
Answer:
Holmes and Rahe (1967) identified 43 life events from medical records (1); each event was assigned a life change unit (LCU) value, e.g. death of a spouse = 100, marriage = 50 (1); participants indicate which events they have experienced in the past year, and the LCUs are added up, with a high score indicating more stress (1).
Question 23 · Spec 4.3.7 · Measuring stress
Outline the Hassles and Uplifts Scale. [2 marks]
Answer:
Kanner et al. (1981) devised a scale of 117 hassles and 135 uplifts (1); participants rate how severe each hassle was (1–3) and how often uplifts occurred (1).
Question 24 · Spec 4.3.7 · Measuring stress
Explain one limitation of self-report scales for measuring stress. [2 marks]
Answer:
They rely on participants' memory of events, which may be inaccurate (1); and they may be affected by social desirability bias, so they may lack validity (1).
Question 25 · Spec 4.3.7 · Physiological measures
Outline the skin conductance response as a measure of stress. [3 marks]
Answer:
Electrodes are placed on the fingers to measure electrical conductivity of the skin (1); stress causes the sympathetic nervous system to increase sweating, which increases conductivity (1); a higher reading indicates higher stress (1).
Question 26 · Spec 4.3.7 · Physiological measures
Explain one strength of physiological measures of stress. [2 marks]
Answer:
They are objective, as they do not rely on self-report (1); so they are not affected by social desirability bias and are more reliable (1).
Question 27 · Spec 4.3.7 · Personality types
Outline Type A personality and its link to stress. [3 marks]
Answer:
Type A individuals are competitive, time-pressured and hostile (1); Friedman and Rosenman (1959) proposed Type A personality is associated with high levels of stress (1); they found Type A men were twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease as Type B men (1).
Question 28 · Spec 4.3.7 · Personality types
Outline Type B and Type C personalities. [2 marks]
Answer:
Type B: relaxed, patient and less competitive, so they are less likely to experience stress (1); Type C: suppress emotions, are cooperative and passive, and have been linked to cancer (1).
Question 29 · Spec 4.3.7 · Personality types
Outline Friedman and Rosenman's (1959) Western Collaborative Group Study. [3 marks]
Answer:
3000 men aged 39–59 in California were assessed for personality type using a structured interview (1); they were followed for 8½ years (1); 12% of Type A men had developed coronary heart disease, compared with 6% of Type B men (1).
Question 30 · Spec 4.3.7 · Personality types
Explain one limitation of research into personality types and stress. [2 marks]
Answer:
Ragland and Brand (1988) found Type A personality did not predict death from coronary heart disease over a longer follow-up (1); hostility may be the key factor, rather than the whole Type A personality (1).
Question 31 · Spec 4.3.7 · Hardiness
Outline the hardy personality. [3 marks]
Answer:
Kobasa (1979) proposed hardy people are protected from stress (1); commitment: being involved in the world and their own lives (1); challenge: seeing problems as opportunities for growth; and control: believing they can influence what happens to them (1).
Question 32 · Spec 4.3.7 · Hardiness
Outline Kobasa's (1979) study of hardiness. [2 marks]
Answer:
800 business executives were assessed using the SRRS and a measure of hardiness (1); those with high stress but low illness scored high on hardiness (1).
Question 33 · Spec 4.3.7 · Hardiness
Explain one limitation of the concept of hardiness. [2 marks]
Answer:
It is hard to measure, as it relies on self-report (1); and it may be another name for low negative affect, the tendency to experience negative emotions (1).
Question 34 · Spec 4.3.7 · Drug therapy
Outline benzodiazepines as a treatment for stress. [3 marks]
Answer:
Benzodiazepines, e.g. Valium, are anti-anxiety drugs (1); they increase the effect of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter (1); this reduces neural activity, making the person feel calmer (1).
Question 35 · Spec 4.3.7 · Drug therapy
Outline beta blockers as a treatment for stress. [2 marks]
Answer:
Beta blockers block adrenaline and noradrenaline from binding to beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart (1); this reduces the physiological symptoms of stress, e.g. a racing heart (1).
Question 36 · Spec 4.3.7 · Drug therapy
Explain one limitation of drug therapies for stress. [2 marks]
Answer:
Benzodiazepines can cause dependency and withdrawal symptoms (1); and drugs treat the symptoms rather than the cause, so stress may return when they are stopped (1).
Question 37 · Spec 4.3.7 · Stress inoculation therapy
Outline stress inoculation therapy (SIT). [3 marks]
Answer:
Conceptualisation: the client and therapist identify sources of stress and the client learns to see stressors as challenges (1); skills acquisition: the client learns coping skills, e.g. relaxation and positive thinking (1); application and follow-through: the client practises the skills in increasingly stressful situations (1).
Question 38 · Spec 4.3.7 · Stress inoculation therapy
Explain one strength of stress inoculation therapy. [2 marks]
Answer:
It addresses the cause of stress and gives long-term coping skills (1); Jay and Elliott (1990) found parents of children undergoing medical procedures had lower anxiety after SIT (1).
Question 39 · Spec 4.3.7 · Biofeedback
Outline biofeedback as a treatment for stress. [3 marks]
Answer:
Physiological responses, e.g. heart rate and muscle tension, are monitored and fed back to the client (1); the client learns relaxation techniques to reduce these responses (1); the reduction is rewarding, so the behaviour is reinforced through operant conditioning (1).
Question 40 · Spec 4.3.7 · Biofeedback
Explain one limitation of biofeedback. [2 marks]
Answer:
It requires specialist equipment and training, so it is expensive (1); and the effects may be due to relaxation alone, so biofeedback may not add anything (1).
Question 41 · Spec 4.3.7 · Gender differences
Explain gender differences in coping with stress. [3 marks]
Answer:
Women are more likely to use emotion-focused coping, e.g. talking about feelings (1); men are more likely to use problem-focused coping, e.g. trying to solve the problem (1); Taylor et al. (2000) suggested women 'tend and befriend', while men show 'fight or flight', possibly due to oxytocin (1).
Question 42 · Spec 4.3.7 · Gender differences
Explain one limitation of research into gender differences in coping. [2 marks]
Answer:
Peterson et al. (2006) found that women used more problem-focused coping in some situations (1); so gender differences may be exaggerated or depend on the type of stressor (1).
Question 43 · Spec 4.3.7 · Social support
Outline the three types of social support. [3 marks]
Answer:
Instrumental support: practical help, e.g. giving money or a lift (1); emotional support: helping the person feel better, e.g. expressing warmth (1); esteem support: increasing the person's confidence in their ability to cope (1).
Question 44 · Spec 4.3.7 · Social support
Outline one study showing the role of social support in coping with stress. [2 marks]
Answer:
Kiecolt-Glaser et al. (1984) found students with more social support had higher immune functioning during exams (1); this suggests social support buffers the effects of stress (1).
Question 45 · Spec 4.3.7 · Social support
Explain one limitation of research into social support. [2 marks]
Answer:
Research is often correlational, so we cannot conclude social support causes better coping (1); and social support may be harmful if it is unwanted or causes the person to feel dependent (1).
Question 46 · Spec 4.3.7 · Treatments
Explain why stress inoculation therapy may be more effective than drug therapy in the long term. [2 marks]
Answer:
SIT teaches coping skills that can be used for future stressors (1); whereas drugs only treat symptoms, so stress may return when they are stopped (1).
Question 47 · Spec 4.3.7 · Treatments
Sam is a nervous performer whose hands shake before concerts. Which drug therapy would be most suitable? Explain why. [2 marks]
Answer:
Beta blockers (1); because they reduce the physiological symptoms, e.g. trembling and a racing heart, without affecting alertness (1).
Question 48 · Spec 4.3.7 · Hardiness
Explain how hardiness training could reduce stress. [2 marks]
Answer:
Kobasa proposed hardiness training: focusing on physical signs of stress, reconstructing stressful situations and self-improvement (1); this increases commitment, challenge and control, so the person copes better (1).
Question 49 · Spec 4.3.7 · Measuring stress
Explain one limitation of the SRRS. [2 marks]
Answer:
It treats all life events as equally stressful for everyone, ignoring individual interpretations (1); and it does not distinguish positive and negative events, e.g. marriage and divorce (1).
Question 50 · Spec 4.3.7 · Sources of stress
Explain one reason why daily hassles may be more stressful than life changes. [2 marks]
Answer:
Daily hassles occur frequently and their effects accumulate (1); whereas life changes are rare, so we may have more time and support to adjust to them (1).

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