Final answer:
The false statement about stress is that acute stressors are a type of stress that generally occurs over a long amount of time, which is incorrect as acute stressors are brief and not prolonged.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the provided statements about stress, the one that is not true is: b. acute stressors are a type of stress that generally occurs over a long amount of time. Acute stressors are actually brief focal events that may be overwhelming but do not persist over extended periods. They contrast with chronic stressors, which are situations that continue over a prolonged period like long-term unemployment or caring for a chronically ill family member.
In the context of stress, it's important to note that traumatic experiences can indeed be classified as either an acute or chronic stressor depending on their characteristics and longevity. The perception of stress is highly subjective, with individual differences in how events are appraised playing a vital role in whether a response to a stressor is triggered. Ultimately, the stress response is influenced by the meaning assigned to events by an individual, emphasizing that stress is to a large extent in the 'eye of the beholder'.