Final answer:
The incorrect statement about stress is that it can stimulate growth and increase reproduction; chronic stress typically has harmful health effects including weakened immunity and increased disease risk.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about stress that is incorrect is C) Stress can stimulate growth and increase the rate of reproduction. While stress responses can be adaptive in the short term, chronic stress generally does not stimulate growth or increase reproductive rates. Instead, chronic stress can lead to various negative health outcomes, including increased vulnerability to disease and psychological disorders like depression and PTSD. Stress is typically associated with the fight or flight response, intended for acute situations rather than prolonged periods. Over time it can cause psychophysiological disorders, such as heart disease, due to the continuous high levels of stress hormones like cortisol. This hormone, when elevated for too long, can weaken the immune system and lead to increased susceptibility to infections and diseases.