Which pair of responses is an example of psychological stress?

Choice A rationale Elevated blood pressure and excessive sleeping are examples of physiological responses to stress. While psychological stress is the initial trigger, these physical manifestations represent the body's physiological reaction to that stressor. Elevated blood pressure is a sympathetic nervous system response, and excessive sleeping can be a physical coping mechanism or a symptom of depression, which is a physiological state. Choice B rationale A racing heart rate is a classic physiological response to stress, mediated by the sympathetic nervous system's release of catecholamines like adrenaline. Avoiding others, while driven by a psychological state (fear or anxiety), is a behavioral response. Therefore, this pairing includes one physiological and one behavioral response, not two purely psychological ones. The prompt asks for a pair of psychological responses. Choice C rationale Headaches and tense muscles are both physiological manifestations of stress. Headaches can be tension-related due to muscle constriction, and tense muscles are a direct result of the fight-or-flight response, preparing the body for action. These are physical symptoms that occur as a result of the psychological stressor but are not psychological responses themselves, as they are changes within the body's tissues and systems. Choice D rationale Self-doubt and apprehension are cognitive and emotional responses, respectively, which are both classified as psychological. Self-doubt is a thought process involving uncertainty about one's abilities, while apprehension is an emotional state of anxiety or fear about a future event. This pair correctly identifies two internal, mental states that are direct psychological manifestations of stress, distinct from physiological or behavioral reactions.