Which cognitive/emotional symptom shows a marked change in behavior patterns due to stress?

Rapid mood changes are a clear indicator of cognitive and emotional symptoms associated with stress. When individuals experience significant levels of stress, it can disrupt their emotional regulation, leading to shifts in their mood that may be more intense and frequent than usual. These fluctuations can manifest as irritability, anxiety, or sudden episodes of sadness and are often noticeable to both the individual and those around them.

In contrast, consistent mood stability signifies an ability to maintain a steady emotional state despite external pressures, which would not align with the effects of stress. Increased sociability, while it might seem like a positive response to stress, typically does not represent a marked change in behavior; rather, it may reflect a coping mechanism that doesn’t drastically alter an individual’s behavior pattern. A heightened sense of humor could also serve as a coping strategy, but it does not signify the marked change in behavior patterns that stress induces. Thus, rapid mood changes are the most accurate indicator of how stress can impact psychological states.