Which of the following best defines a stressor in the context of psychology?

• A. A personality trait associated with resilience
• B. A physiological response to relaxation
• C. An external or internal event or stimulus that causes an individual to experience stress
• D. A coping mechanism used to reduce anxiety

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of a stressor in psychology: it refers to any event or stimulus that triggers a stress response in an individual.
2. Recognize that stressors can be external (like a loud noise or a deadline) or internal (such as worry or negative thoughts).
3. Differentiate stressors from other related concepts: a personality trait is a characteristic of an individual, not a cause of stress; a physiological response is how the body reacts, not the cause; and coping mechanisms are strategies to manage stress, not the stressor itself.
4. Evaluate each option by matching it against the definition of a stressor: the correct choice should describe something that causes stress, not a response or a trait.
5. Conclude that the best definition of a stressor is 'an external or internal event or stimulus that causes an individual to experience stress.'