Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

What type of stressor is defined as large-scale events like natural disasters?

1. Daily hassles

2. Ambient stressors

3. Catastrophes

4. Significant life changes

The correct answer is: Catastrophes

The term that defines large-scale events like natural disasters is accurately identified as catastrophes. Catastrophes are significant stressors that affect large groups of people and can have profound psychological and physical effects on individuals and communities. Examples include events like earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and other massive tragedies that disrupt lives and environments extensively. Catastrophes often elicit immediate and long-lasting responses, including anxiety, trauma, and a range of stress-related disorders. They can overwhelm our coping mechanisms due to their intensity and unpredictability, making them distinct from other types of stressors. In contrast, daily hassles refer to the routine irritations and minor inconveniences that people face, while ambient stressors involve ongoing environmental factors such as pollution or noise that can cause low-level stress over time. Significant life changes encompass substantial personal transitions like marriage, divorce, or relocation, which, while impactful, do not possess the widespread destructive characteristics of catastrophes. Thus, the defining nature of catastrophes as large-scale events aligns perfectly with the examples provided in the question.