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Chapter 14: Problem 26

Consider the study in which volunteers were given nasal drops containing the cold virus to examine the relationship between stress and immune function (Cohen et al., 1998 ). How might this finding explain how people seem to become sick during stressful times in their lives (e.g., final exam week)?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Stressful periods in people's lives, such as during final exam week, can lead to the suppression of the immune system due to the production of stress hormones. This makes individuals more susceptible to illnesses, including the common cold, as their bodies are less able to efficiently fight off invading viruses. This relationship between stress and immune function has been clearly shown in a study by Cohen et al., (1998).

Step by step solution

01

Understand the design and findings of the study

To start, it's important to look at the design and findings of the study by Cohen et al., (1998). This study aimed at examining the relationship between stress and immune function. Volunteers were given nasal drops containing the cold virus, and then, their immune responses were studied.
02

Connect Stress and Immune Response

The next step is to make the connection between stress and immune response. Stress— emotional, mental, or physical— causes the body to produce stress hormones such as cortisol. These hormones have the effect of suppressing the immune system. When the immune system is suppressed, it's less capable of fighting off threats, which includes viruses like the common cold.
03

Link the Study to Real-Life Scenario

The last step is to connect this understanding to real-life scenarios. Individuals undergo a significant amount of stress during times such as final exam week. Because stress suppresses the immune system, these individuals are at a higher risk of falling ill, as their bodies are less capable of fighting off viruses. The study by Cohen et al., (1998) provides evidence for this by showing that even healthy volunteers can fall ill to the common cold when their immune systems are compromised due to stress.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Negative effects of stress are most likely to be experienced when an event is perceived as _____________. a. negative, but it is likely to affect one's friends rather than oneself b. challenging c. confusing d. threatening, and no clear options for dealing with it are apparent

At which stage of Selye's general adaptation syndrome is a person especially vulnerable to illness? a. exhaustion b. alarm reaction c. fight-or-flight d. resistance

The concept of learned helplessness was formulated by Seligman to explain the _____________. a. inability of dogs to attempt to escape avoidable shocks after having received inescapable shocks b. failure of dogs to learn to from prior mistakes c. ability of dogs to learn to help other dogs escape situations in which they are receiving uncontrollable shocks d. inability of dogs to learn to help other dogs escape situations in which they are receiving uncontrollable electric shocks

According to the Holmes and Rahe scale, which life event requires the greatest amount of readjustment? a. marriage b. personal illness c. divorce d. death of spouse

Suppose you want to design a study to examine the relationship between stress and illness, but you cannot use the Social Readjustment Rating Scale. How would you go about measuring stress? How would you measure illness? What would you need to do in order to tell if there is a cause-effect relationship between stress and illness?
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