Which of the following is a good example of a response-based definition of stress?

• A. Stress is any event or situation that threatens an individual's well-being.
• B. Stress is the interaction between a person and their environment that is appraised as exceeding their coping resources.
• C. Stress is the physiological changes such as increased heart rate and elevated cortisol levels that occur when an individual faces a challenging situation.
• D. Stress is the perception that one lacks control over important life events.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what a response-based definition of stress means. It focuses on the physiological or behavioral reactions that occur as a result of stress, rather than the causes or perceptions of stress.
2. Step 2: Review each option and identify whether it describes a cause, perception, interaction, or a physiological/behavioral response to stress.
3. Step 3: Recognize that definitions focusing on events or situations (e.g., 'any event or situation that threatens well-being') describe stressors, not responses.
4. Step 4: Note that definitions emphasizing appraisal or perception (e.g., 'interaction appraised as exceeding coping resources' or 'perception of lack of control') focus on cognitive or subjective aspects, not direct responses.
5. Step 5: Identify the option that describes physiological changes (e.g., increased heart rate, elevated cortisol) as the response to stress, which aligns with a response-based definition.