Stressors can be internal or external. Which statement describes stressors?

• A. The stimuli to change, alter behavior or adapt to a situation
• B. They are only external.
• C. They always require physical change.
• D. They are not related to stress.

Answer: (A)

Stressors are signals that push you to change or adapt in response to a demand or challenge. They can come from inside the person (like worries, pain, or thoughts) or from the outside environment (like deadlines, conflicts, or noise). The statement that stressors are the stimuli to change, alter behavior, or adapt to a situation captures this idea perfectly: a stressor is something that prompts a coping or adjustment response. It doesn’t have to involve a physical change, since stress can be emotional, cognitive, or behavioral as well. The other options are narrower or incorrect: stressors aren’t limited to external sources, they don’t always require physical change, and they are indeed related to stress.