Which of the following best describes a psychological stressor in the context of introduction to stress, as illustrated when a person asks a question you perceive as challenging?

• A. A physical injury that causes pain and discomfort
• B. A genetic predisposition to anxiety disorders
• C. A routine daily activity that requires no effort
• D. A situation that is interpreted as threatening or demanding, triggering a stress response

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of a psychological stressor: it is any situation or event that an individual perceives as threatening, challenging, or demanding, which can trigger a stress response.
2. Analyze each option by comparing it to this definition: determine whether the option involves a perception of threat or demand that can cause stress.
3. Recognize that a physical injury causing pain is a physical stressor, not necessarily psychological, because it involves bodily harm rather than perception of threat.
4. Identify that a genetic predisposition to anxiety disorders is a vulnerability factor, not a stressor itself, since it relates to inherited traits rather than an external challenge.
5. Conclude that the best description of a psychological stressor is a situation interpreted as threatening or demanding, such as when a person asks a challenging question, because it involves perception and cognitive appraisal leading to stress.