Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) Practice Test

According to Hans Selye, the body's reaction to sustained stress is described in three phases. What are they?

1. Arousal, readiness, fight or flight

2. Alarm, resistance, fight or flight

3. Arousal, readiness, exhaustion

4. Alarm, resistance, exhaustion

The correct answer is: Alarm, resistance, exhaustion

Hans Selye’s conceptualization of the body’s response to sustained stress is articulated through a three-phase model known as the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). This model includes the phases of alarm, resistance, and exhaustion, which detail how the body reacts to chronic stress. In the first phase, alarm, the body reacts to the stressor by initiating the fight-or-flight response. This phase is characterized by an immediate physiological reaction that prepares the body to confront or flee from a threat. Hormones such as adrenaline are released, leading to increased heart rate, heightened awareness, and energy mobilization. The second phase, resistance, occurs when a stressor persists, and the body attempts to adapt to the ongoing challenge. Here, physiological responses stabilize, and there is a continued effort to cope with stress. During this phase, the body’s resources are utilized to maintain function and prevent damage, all while trying to fend off the stressor. The final phase, exhaustion, represents a depletion of the body's resources when the stress continues for an extended period without sufficient recovery. In this state, the body can no longer sustain its initial responses and may become vulnerable to health issues, such as fatigue, burnout, or even serious illness. Understanding this model is