In the context of stress research, what term best describes the length of time that passes before an individual initiates a behavioral response to a stressor?

• A. Recovery period
• B. Response latency
• C. Stress threshold
• D. Coping duration

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the key terms related to stress response: 'Recovery period' refers to the time it takes for an individual to return to baseline after stress; 'Stress threshold' is the point at which stress begins to affect the individual; 'Coping duration' is the length of time spent managing stress.
2. Focus on the concept of the time interval between the presentation of a stressor and the initiation of a behavioral response, which is a measure of how quickly someone reacts to stress.
3. Recognize that the term describing this time interval is 'Response latency,' which specifically refers to the delay before a response begins after a stimulus.
4. Differentiate 'Response latency' from other terms by noting that it does not describe recovery or coping, but the initial reaction time to the stressor.
5. Conclude that the best term to describe the length of time before an individual initiates a behavioral response to a stressor is 'Response latency.'