What term describes events that we perceive as threats or challenges requiring adaptation?

• A. Stressors
• B. Stress
• C. Pressure
• D. Trauma

Answer: (A)

Events we perceive as threats or challenges requiring adaptation are called stressors. A stressor is anything in the environment that disrupts our sense of balance and prompts us to cope, whether it’s a daily hassle or a major life change. How we respond to a stressor depends on our appraisal of the situation, our coping resources, and the context. Stress, in contrast, is the body's and mind's response to that stimulus—physiological arousal, thoughts, and emotions. Pressure refers to external demands or expectations that can feel burdensome, but it’s the demand itself rather than the event that’s being named. Trauma is a deeply distressing experience with lasting effects and is a specific kind of significant stressor rather than the general term for events requiring adaptation.