Final answer:
The term 'stressors' describes incompatible stimuli that demand adaptation in the human body, triggering a complex physiological response known as the stress response, including the fight-or-flight reaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to describe the psychological or physical stimuli that are incompatible with the current functioning of an individual and require adaptation in the human body is stressors. When faced with a stressor, the body activates a coordinated set of physiological reactions known as the stress response. This includes the fight-or-flight response, which prepares the body to deal with potentially dangerous or threatening situations by increasing arousal, accelerating heart rate, and other defensive/offensive behaviors. This response is mediated through complex interactions between the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems.
However, when these reactions are chronic or exceed normal ranges, they can lead to psychophysiological disorders and cumulative wear and tear on the body. For instance, sustained high blood pressure due to job strain can eventually harm the heart, or high levels of cortisol from ongoing stress can lead to weakened immune system functioning.