An employee is given a complex, high-stakes project with a very tight deadline. As the deadline approaches, they feel increasingly overwhelmed. Which of the following actions best illustrates a direct impact on the employee's mental processing as a result of this situation?

Stress can affect mental processes, leading to cognitive responses. These can manifest as difficulties in concentrating on tasks or challenges in making decisions.

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Stress triggers a wide range of reactions, which can be grouped into three main categories: physiological, cognitive, and behavioral. These responses encompass the various ways individuals react to stressful experiences.

Categorization of Stress Responses

Marks, H. (n.d.). Stress symptoms: Physical effects of stress on the body. WebMD. Retrieved October 17, 2021, from https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-symptoms-effects_of-stress-on-the-body. 

Stress symptoms: Physical effects of stress on the body

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

- Less than Normal Patience
- Feelings of Sadness and/or Depression
- Feelings of being Overwhelmed
- Restlessness
- Reduced or Eliminated Desire for Activities Once Enjoyed or Regularly Done
- Irritability
- Sense of Isolation
- Trouble Coping with Life's Issues
- More Frequent or Extreme Pessimistic Attitude

Emotional Symptoms of Stress

- Impaired Concentration
- Trouble with Remembering Things
- Chronic Worrying
- Anxious Thoughts and Feelings
- Reduced or Impaired Judgment
- Impaired Speech (Mumbling/Stuttering)
- Repetitive or Unwanted Thoughts 

Cognitive Symptoms of Stress

- Change in Eating Habits
- Change in Sleeping Habits
- New or Increased Use of Drugs, Tobacco, or Alcohol
- Nail Biting
- Pacing
- Abnormal Failure or Delay to Complete Everyday Responsibilities
- Significant Change in School or Work Performance
- Unusual Desire for Social Isolation
- Frequent Lying
- Trouble Getting Along with Peers, such as Co-workers, Classmates, or Teachers


Behavioral Symptoms of Stress

When experiencing stress, the body can exhibit physiological reactions. Common examples of these responses include an accelerated heart rate, the development of headaches, or gastrointestinal problems.

Physiological Responses to Stress

Cognitive Responses to Stress

Individuals may react to stress through their actions, which are known as behavioral responses. Examples include engaging in habits like drinking alcohol or smoking, as well as taking direct actions aimed at removing the source of the stress.

Behavioral Responses to Stress

Read the following scenario about a student named Jordan. Identify one example of a physiological response, one example of a cognitive response, and one example of a behavioral response that Jordan is experiencing. Briefly justify why each example fits its category.

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