1. Distinguish between a psychophysiological illness and hypochondriasis.
A psychophysiological illness is one that is a physical illness attributed to the amount of stress a
person is under, like high blood pressure. Psychophysiological illness are real illnesses and
hypochondriasis in the misinterpretation of normal sensation as one of a harmful disease.
Further, a hypochondriac is a person who is obsessed about having an undiagnosed serious
medical condition.
2. Explain why people smoke.
Cigarettes contain a highly addictive drug which is nicotine. Nicotine stimulates the brain and it
induces a state of increased alertness. With high levels of nicotine in the body, it relaxes muscles
and triggers the release of neurotransmitters that can relieve stress. Nicotine triggers the release
of epinephrine and norepinephrine which gets rid of your appetite. Also, for a short period of
time, the nicotine can calm down anxiety and reduce one’s sensitivity to pain since it reduces the
circulation to extremities. Even if a person wanted to stop smoking, it would be highly difficult
because of the addictive substance of nicotine and the withdrawal symptoms that are negative.
Some withdrawal symptoms are strong craving, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, and distractibility;
these are all symptoms that will make a person relapse.
3. Nonsmokers are less likely to become depressed and get divorced. What type of research
finding is this, and what explanations might it have?
This is a correlational research finding. One explanation could be that people who don’t smoke
make healthier decisions and therefore maintain healthier relationships, so they don't have a need
for divorce. Further, people who are depressed and have bad relationships with people may look
at smoking as an outlet. Additionally, the environment that the person grew up in could play a
role in their need for smoking and divorce.
4. A self-help book declares that you can prevent cancer through “the power of positive
thinking.” How would you evaluate this claim?
Positive thinking does not prevent cancer cells from forming in the body since they occur
because of the person’s environment and biological makeup. Positive thinking does influence
immune functioning because it seems to increase it. In some cases, positive thinking can slow the
rate of growth for tumors. Positive thinking is seen as powerful because negative thinking can
make health problems worse because it increases the amount of stress hormones in the body and
it reduces the amount of T-cells in the body. Without a large amount of T-cells, people are more
at risk for infections and an increase in cancerous cells. Therefore, positive thinking can’t stop
you from getting cancer, but it can help you fight it by boosting your immune system.
A psychophysiological illness is one that is a physical illness attributed to the amount of stress a
person is under, like high blood pressure. Psychophysiological illness are real illnesses and
hypochondriasis in the misinterpretation of normal sensation as one of a harmful disease.
Further, a hypochondriac is a person who is obsessed about having an undiagnosed serious
medical condition.
2. Explain why people smoke.
Cigarettes contain a highly addictive drug which is nicotine. Nicotine stimulates the brain and it
induces a state of increased alertness. With high levels of nicotine in the body, it relaxes muscles
and triggers the release of neurotransmitters that can relieve stress. Nicotine triggers the release
of epinephrine and norepinephrine which gets rid of your appetite. Also, for a short period of
time, the nicotine can calm down anxiety and reduce one’s sensitivity to pain since it reduces the
circulation to extremities. Even if a person wanted to stop smoking, it would be highly difficult
because of the addictive substance of nicotine and the withdrawal symptoms that are negative.
Some withdrawal symptoms are strong craving, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, and distractibility;
these are all symptoms that will make a person relapse.
3. Nonsmokers are less likely to become depressed and get divorced. What type of research
finding is this, and what explanations might it have?
This is a correlational research finding. One explanation could be that people who don’t smoke
make healthier decisions and therefore maintain healthier relationships, so they don't have a need
for divorce. Further, people who are depressed and have bad relationships with people may look
at smoking as an outlet. Additionally, the environment that the person grew up in could play a
role in their need for smoking and divorce.
4. A self-help book declares that you can prevent cancer through “the power of positive
thinking.” How would you evaluate this claim?
Positive thinking does not prevent cancer cells from forming in the body since they occur
because of the person’s environment and biological makeup. Positive thinking does influence
immune functioning because it seems to increase it. In some cases, positive thinking can slow the
rate of growth for tumors. Positive thinking is seen as powerful because negative thinking can
make health problems worse because it increases the amount of stress hormones in the body and
it reduces the amount of T-cells in the body. Without a large amount of T-cells, people are more
at risk for infections and an increase in cancerous cells. Therefore, positive thinking can’t stop
you from getting cancer, but it can help you fight it by boosting your immune system.
