Q.1 Which best describes the primary role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in the stress response?
It regulates long-term memory consolidation under stress conditions
It coordinates endocrine responses to stress via cortisol release
It directly controls voluntary motor responses during stress exposure
It inhibits sympathetic nervous system activation during stress events
Explanation - The HPA axis regulates the body's hormonal stress response by triggering cortisol release from the adrenal cortex, helping maintain homeostasis during prolonged stress.
Correct answer is: It coordinates endocrine responses to stress via cortisol release
Q.2 According to Lazarus and Folkman's transactional model of stress, stress is primarily determined by:
The intensity of the external stressor alone
The balance between effort and reward in occupational settings
Cognitive appraisal and perceived coping resources
Genetic predisposition to anxiety disorders
Explanation - The transactional model emphasizes that stress results from how individuals appraise a situation and their perceived ability to cope, not just the stressor itself.
Correct answer is: Cognitive appraisal and perceived coping resources
Q.3 Which physiological marker is most directly associated with chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system?
Reduced basal metabolic rate and hypothermia development
Elevated heart rate variability and parasympathetic dominance
Increased catecholamine secretion including adrenaline and noradrenaline
Decreased blood glucose levels due to insulin overproduction
Explanation - Chronic sympathetic activation leads to sustained release of catecholamines, contributing to cardiovascular and metabolic strain.
Correct answer is: Increased catecholamine secretion including adrenaline and noradrenaline
Q.4 Which psychological concept best explains why individuals exposed to identical stressors may exhibit different health outcomes?
Uniform stress reactivity principle
Differential stressor exposure hypothesis
Individual differences in appraisal and coping strategies
Biological determinism of stress response
Explanation - Variability in cognitive appraisal and coping mechanisms explains why identical stressors can produce different psychological and physiological outcomes.
Correct answer is: Individual differences in appraisal and coping strategies
Q.5 Which of the following best describes allostatic load?
The immediate fight-or-flight response to acute stressors
The cumulative physiological wear and tear due to chronic stress
The psychological perception of stress intensity in daily life
The genetic threshold for stress hormone production
Explanation - Allostatic load refers to the long-term burden on the body caused by repeated adaptation to stressors.
Correct answer is: The cumulative physiological wear and tear due to chronic stress
Q.6 Which neurotransmitter system is most closely linked to stress-induced mood regulation and depressive symptoms?
Glutamatergic system regulating motor coordination
Serotonergic system modulating mood and affect
Histaminergic system controlling sleep-wake cycles
Glycinergic system regulating spinal reflexes
Explanation - Serotonin plays a key role in mood regulation, and dysregulation is strongly associated with stress-related depression.
Correct answer is: Serotonergic system modulating mood and affect
Q.7 Which type of coping strategy is generally considered most effective for long-term stress reduction?
Avoidance-based coping strategies
Emotion-focused suppression techniques
Problem-focused coping mechanisms
Dissociative coping responses
Explanation - Problem-focused coping directly addresses the stressor, making it more effective for long-term stress management.
Correct answer is: Problem-focused coping mechanisms
Q.8 Which immune change is commonly observed under chronic psychological stress?
Enhanced adaptive immune response efficiency
Suppressed cellular and humoral immune functioning
Increased vaccine efficacy and antibody production
Stable immune activity with no measurable variation
Explanation - Chronic stress suppresses immune function, increasing vulnerability to infections and slowing recovery.
Correct answer is: Suppressed cellular and humoral immune functioning
Q.9 Which theory explains stress as a result of imbalance between environmental demands and perceived resources?
General Adaptation Syndrome theory
Transactional model of stress and coping
Attachment-based stress theory
Cognitive dissonance theory
Explanation - The transactional model defines stress as an imbalance between demands and perceived coping resources.
Correct answer is: Transactional model of stress and coping
Q.10 Which stage of Seyle’s General Adaptation Syndrome is characterized by exhaustion of adaptive resources?
Alarm stage with immediate physiological activation
Resistance stage with sustained adaptation
Exhaustion stage with system breakdown
Recovery stage with homeostatic restoration
Explanation - The exhaustion stage occurs when prolonged stress depletes the body's adaptive capacity, leading to breakdown.
Correct answer is: Exhaustion stage with system breakdown
Q.11 Which cognitive distortion is most associated with heightened stress perception?
Selective abstraction emphasizing neutral details
Catastrophizing minor events into severe outcomes
Systematic rational evaluation of stressors
Balanced appraisal of environmental demands
Explanation - Catastrophizing amplifies perceived threat, increasing psychological stress intensity.
Correct answer is: Catastrophizing minor events into severe outcomes
Q.12 Which physiological system primarily mediates immediate stress-induced cardiovascular changes?
Parasympathetic cholinergic system
Somatic motor nervous system
Sympathetic-adrenal-medullary system
Enteric nervous system regulation
Explanation - The SAM system triggers rapid cardiovascular responses via adrenaline release during acute stress.
Correct answer is: Sympathetic-adrenal-medullary system
Q.13 Which factor most strongly buffers the negative health effects of stress?
Genetic predisposition to high cortisol levels
High levels of perceived social support
Chronic exposure to mild stressors
Low baseline physical activity levels
Explanation - Social support reduces perceived stress and improves physiological resilience.
Correct answer is: High levels of perceived social support
Q.14 Which mechanism explains stress-related hypertension development?
Reduced vascular resistance due to parasympathetic dominance
Chronic vasoconstriction mediated by sympathetic activation
Decreased cardiac output from hormonal suppression
Increased renal filtration efficiency under stress
Explanation - Sustained sympathetic activity causes vasoconstriction, increasing blood pressure over time.
Correct answer is: Chronic vasoconstriction mediated by sympathetic activation
Q.15 Which psychological intervention is most evidence-based for reducing stress-related cognitive distortions?
Psychodynamic free association techniques
Cognitive behavioral therapy restructuring methods
Hypnotic regression therapy sessions
Dream analysis interpretation methods
Explanation - CBT effectively targets maladaptive thought patterns that contribute to stress.
Correct answer is: Cognitive behavioral therapy restructuring methods
Q.16 Which hormone is most directly involved in long-term stress adaptation?
Insulin regulating glucose uptake
Cortisol regulating metabolic adaptation
Melatonin regulating sleep cycles
Oxytocin regulating social bonding
Explanation - Cortisol supports long-term energy mobilization during sustained stress.
Correct answer is: Cortisol regulating metabolic adaptation
Q.17 Which concept best describes stress-induced psychosomatic illness development?
Direct viral infection due to immune overactivation
Psychological stress manifesting as physical symptoms
Purely genetic determination of disease onset
Random physiological dysfunction unrelated to stress
Explanation - Psychosomatic illness occurs when psychological stress contributes to physical symptoms.
Correct answer is: Psychological stress manifesting as physical symptoms
Q.18 Which brain structure plays a central role in emotional processing of stress?
Cerebellum regulating motor coordination
Amygdala processing fear and threat detection
Occipital lobe processing visual input
Brainstem controlling reflex actions only
Explanation - The amygdala evaluates threats and triggers emotional stress responses.
Correct answer is: Amygdala processing fear and threat detection
Q.19 Which of the following best defines eustress?
Stress that leads to severe psychological impairment
Stress perceived as beneficial and performance-enhancing
Stress caused exclusively by traumatic life events
Stress that eliminates all physiological arousal responses
Explanation - Eustress is positive stress that can improve motivation and performance.
Correct answer is: Stress perceived as beneficial and performance-enhancing
Q.20 Which physiological change is most associated with acute stress response?
Decreased respiratory rate and oxygen demand
Increased glucose availability for energy use
Reduced cardiac output and blood flow
Suppressed adrenal gland activity
Explanation - Acute stress mobilizes glucose to provide immediate energy for survival responses.
Correct answer is: Increased glucose availability for energy use
Q.21 Which model explains stress as a dynamic interaction between stressors, appraisal, and coping?
Biopsychosocial disease model
Diathesis-stress vulnerability model
Transactional stress-coping model
Evolutionary stress adaptation model
Explanation - This model integrates cognitive appraisal and coping responses in stress formation.
Correct answer is: Transactional stress-coping model
Q.22 Which chronic stress effect is most associated with hippocampal volume reduction?
Enhanced spatial memory performance
Increased neurogenesis and plasticity
Impaired memory consolidation processes
Improved emotional regulation efficiency
Explanation - Chronic stress can damage the hippocampus, impairing memory formation and consolidation.
Correct answer is: Impaired memory consolidation processes
Q.23 Which of the following best describes burnout syndrome?
Acute physiological response to sudden trauma exposure
Chronic workplace stress leading to emotional exhaustion
Genetic disorder affecting stress hormone production
Temporary mood fluctuation unrelated to stress exposure
Explanation - Burnout is a prolonged response to chronic occupational stress.
Correct answer is: Chronic workplace stress leading to emotional exhaustion
Q.24 Which factor most increases vulnerability to stress-related disorders?
Strong adaptive coping mechanisms
High resilience and optimism levels
Early life adverse experiences and trauma
Regular physical exercise routines
Explanation - Early trauma increases long-term vulnerability to stress-related psychopathology.
Correct answer is: Early life adverse experiences and trauma
Q.25 Which physiological system is primarily responsible for restoring homeostasis after stress?
Sympathetic nervous system activation
Parasympathetic nervous system activity
Somatic nervous system reflexes
Central motor cortex regulation
Explanation - The parasympathetic system promotes recovery and restoration after stress.
Correct answer is: Parasympathetic nervous system activity