Final answer:
Stress often generates a readiness to be aggressive that is associated with the fight-or-flight reaction. This response was crucial for ancestral survival and is triggered by perceived threats, albeit less adaptively in modern psychological contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the association between the physiological and behavioral reaction to stress known as the fight-or-flight response and the readiness to be aggressive. The correct option that illustrates this association is:
a. the fight-or-flight reaction.
This response is an evolutionary mechanism to deal with potential threats. Initially, it was key to survival, enabling our ancestors to either confront danger or flee. In modern times, these physiological reactions can occur during high-stress psychological situations where physical confrontation or escape is not viable, such as giving a presentation or taking an exam. Persistent psychological threats can lead to adverse health effects like heart disease and weakened immune responses.