Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2017

Last exams 2026

The Physiology of Stress (AQA A Level Psychology): Exam Questions

Exam code: 7182

33 mins7 questions
1
1 mark

Which of the following statements about the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system is correct?

  • It involves the release of adrenocorticotrophin hormone from the adrenal gland.

  • It involves the release of adrenocorticotrophin hormone from the adrenal medulla.

  • It involves the stimulation of the adrenal cortex to produce corticosteroids.

  • It involves the stimulation of the adrenal medulla to produce adrenaline.

2
2 marks

What terms are used by psychologists to describe A and B below?

A: A stage-based process of adapting to a stressor which can end with damage to the immune system.

B: When a person’s immune system becomes compromised so that it cannot protect the individual against disease.

3
1 mark

A steroid hormone that regulates energy use and the immune system, secreted from the adrenal glands when stress is experienced. Which of the following substances is described above?

  • Adrenaline

  • Adrenocorticotropin

  • Corticotropin-releasing hormone

  • Cortisol

4
1 mark

Below are four evaluative statements about general adaptation syndrome (GAS). Which statement is true?

  • It correctly explains how everyone responds in different ways to different sources of stress.

  • It fails to explain what happens when a person is repeatedly exposed to stress.

  • It is better at explaining female responses to stress than male responses to stress.

  • It wrongly assumes that the body responds in the same way to different sources of stress.

1
4 marks

Briefly outline and evaluate one study of immunosuppression.

1
16 marks

Discuss the role of stress in illness.

2
8 marks

With reference to research evidence, discuss links between stress and illness.