Jake is confused about what a stressor is. Which of the following best explains the term 'stressor'?

• A. A stressor is a coping strategy used to manage anxiety and pressure.
• B. A stressor is any event or situation that causes an individual to feel challenged or threatened, triggering a stress response.
• C. A stressor is a hormone released in the body during periods of relaxation.
• D. A stressor is a type of personality trait that makes someone more likely to experience stress.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the term 'stressor' in the context of psychology, which relates to factors that influence an individual's experience of stress.
2. Step 2: Recognize that a stressor is not a coping strategy, hormone, or personality trait, but rather something external or internal that triggers stress.
3. Step 3: Identify that a stressor is any event or situation that causes an individual to feel challenged or threatened.
4. Step 4: Connect the concept of a stressor to the stress response, which is the body's reaction to perceived challenges or threats.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best explanation of a stressor is an event or situation that triggers a stress response by making the individual feel challenged or threatened.