Which statement is true about prolonged exposure to stress?

• A. Prolonged exposure to stress always improves cognitive performance and memory.
• B. Prolonged exposure to stress consistently leads to increased happiness and life satisfaction.
• C. Prolonged exposure to stress can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of physical illnesses.
• D. Prolonged exposure to stress has no effect on emotional well-being.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of prolonged exposure to stress, which refers to experiencing stressors continuously or repeatedly over an extended period.
2. Step 2: Recognize that prolonged stress activates the body's stress response system, including the release of cortisol and other stress hormones.
3. Step 3: Learn that chronic activation of this stress response can impair various bodily systems, particularly the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to illnesses.
4. Step 4: Note that prolonged stress does not typically improve cognitive performance or memory; instead, it can impair these functions due to the negative effects of stress hormones on the brain.
5. Step 5: Understand that prolonged stress generally does not increase happiness or life satisfaction and often negatively affects emotional well-being, contrary to some of the other statements.