Which of the following best defines stress as described in introductory psychology courses and resources like Everfi?

• A. Stress is the absence of any emotional or physical reaction to events.
• B. Stress is the process of learning new information and skills.
• C. Stress is a feeling of happiness and relaxation in response to positive events.
• D. Stress is the body's physical and emotional response to challenging or threatening situations.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that in psychology, stress is typically defined as a response rather than a static state or unrelated process.
2. Step 2: Recognize that stress involves both physical and emotional reactions, meaning it affects the body and mind simultaneously.
3. Step 3: Identify that stress usually occurs in response to challenging or threatening situations, which can be external events or internal perceptions.
4. Step 4: Eliminate options that describe stress as absence of reaction, learning processes, or positive feelings, since these do not align with the psychological definition of stress.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best definition of stress is 'the body's physical and emotional response to challenging or threatening situations,' as it captures the core psychological understanding.