Decision-theoretic aspects of stress arousal and coping propensity

Scenario descriptor and laboratory studies evaluated a decision-theoretic m odel of stress arousal and coping propensity composed of 2 stress expectanc ies; namely, expected stress given engagement in coping activity and expect ed stress given nonengagement in coping activity. The model predicted (a) t hat coping propensity would vary inversely with the ratio of the first stre ss expectancy to the second and (b) that stress arousal would vary with the lesser of the 2 stress expectancies. It was also predicted that the smalle st stress expectancy would dictate coping activity and that the proximity o f the stress expectancies would engender stressing response conflict. Resul ts supported the first hypothesis when differences in ratio values were sal ient. The second hypothesis also was supported, but in the scenario descrip tor study only. Proximity of stress expectancies as sources of stress arous al received little or no support.