Describe two common relatively unhealthy coping responses and then discuss defensive and constructive coping and whether they are considered healthy or unhealthy coping responses
What will be an ideal response?
Coping refers to active efforts to master, reduce, or tolerate the demands created by stress. Coping may be adaptive or maladaptive. Answers to this question can vary, and the unhealthy coping responses discussed could include giving up and blaming oneself (learned helplessness—passive behavior produced by exposure to unavoidable aversive events), striking out at others aggressively (usually the result of frustration), self-indulgent behavior (eating, drinking, smoking, shopping), and defensive coping (erecting defense mechanisms). Defensive coping can protect against emotional distress through self-deception. Generally, defensive coping is less than optimal, but research seems to suggest that although extreme distortions of reality are maladaptive, small illusions can be beneficial.
Constructive coping occurs when the individual realistically appraises situations and confronts problems directly; it is based on realistic appraisals of stress and coping resources.
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a. stimulus discrimination. b. aversion conditioning. c. compensatory conditioning. d. preparedness.
The incidence of Down syndrome increases __________.
A. when the mother drinks heavily during pregnancy B. if the father is extremely young C. as the age of the parents increases D. when the mother is exposed to lead during pregnancy
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a. alcohol c. heroin b. cocaine d. valium
What defense mechanism involves turning unacceptable wishes into acceptable behaviors?
A. projection B. sublimation C. displacement D. rationalization