Which of the following best defines stress as described in the context of psychology and the EVERFI curriculum?

• A. Stress is the body's physical and emotional response to challenging or demanding situations.
• B. Stress is only experienced when something positive happens.
• C. Stress is a type of mental illness that always requires medical treatment.
• D. Stress is the inability to feel any emotions in response to events.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of stress in psychology. Stress is generally defined as the body's response to any demand or challenge, which can be physical, emotional, or psychological.
2. Step 2: Recognize that stress is not limited to negative events; it can occur in response to both positive and negative situations, but it is primarily about how the body and mind react to demands.
3. Step 3: Evaluate each option by comparing it to the psychological definition of stress. For example, stress is not a mental illness itself, nor is it the inability to feel emotions.
4. Step 4: Identify the option that correctly describes stress as the body's physical and emotional response to challenging or demanding situations, which aligns with the psychological understanding.
5. Step 5: Confirm that the chosen definition reflects both the physical and emotional aspects of stress, emphasizing the response to challenges rather than the presence of illness or absence of emotion.