Which of the following best describes stress and explains how it can be both positive and negative?

• A. Stress refers exclusively to physical symptoms such as headaches and fatigue, without any psychological impact.
• B. Stress is only a negative emotional state that results from traumatic events and cannot have any beneficial effects.
• C. Stress is a physical and psychological response to demands or threats; it can be positive when it motivates performance (eustress) and negative when it overwhelms coping abilities (distress).
• D. Stress is a temporary feeling of excitement that always improves health and well-being.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the definition of stress in psychology. Stress is not limited to physical symptoms; it involves both physical and psychological responses to demands or threats.
2. Step 2: Recognize that stress can have both positive and negative effects. Positive stress, known as eustress, can motivate individuals to perform better and achieve goals.
3. Step 3: Identify negative stress, called distress, which occurs when demands exceed an individual's ability to cope, leading to harmful effects on health and well-being.
4. Step 4: Evaluate each provided option by comparing it to the comprehensive understanding of stress, noting which options incorrectly limit stress to only physical symptoms or only negative effects.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description is the one that acknowledges stress as a physical and psychological response that can be both positive (eustress) and negative (distress).