Question 75

Alarm, resistance, and exhaustion

Hans Selye's general adaptation syndrome consists of three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. These stages describe the body’s physiological response to stressors over time.

A) Perception, response, and recovery

This option is incorrect as it does not accurately represent the three stages outlined by Selye. While perception and response are related to stress responses, recovery is not a defined phase in the general adaptation syndrome.

B) Perception, interpretation, and flight

This choice is also incorrect. Although perception and interpretation are involved in how individuals assess stressors, flight does not correspond to any of Selye's identified stages, which focus on physiological responses rather than cognitive processes.

C) Alarm, resistance, and exhaustion

This option is correct as it directly names the three stages of Selye's general adaptation syndrome. The alarm stage involves an initial reaction to stress, the resistance stage is where the body adapts to the stressor, and the exhaustion stage occurs when the body's resources are depleted after prolonged stress.

D) Adaptation, modification, and adoption

This option is incorrect. Although adaptation relates to how organisms respond to stress, the terms modification and adoption are not part of Selye's framework and do not represent the stages of general adaptation syndrome.

E) Fight, flight, and exhaustion

This choice is incorrect as well. While "fight or flight" refers to the immediate responses to stress, it does not encapsulate the full progression of Selye's three stages, particularly neglecting the resistance phase.

Conclusion

The correct answer, "Alarm, resistance, and exhaustion," is definitive as it accurately reflects the framework established by Selye in understanding stress responses. All other options fail to represent the complete and structured stages of general adaptation syndrome, focusing instead on either unrelated concepts or incomplete stages.