During their third year at college, Tammy and Timothy both lost their part-time jobs in the library due to funding cutbacks. Tammy was mildly disturbed, shrugged her shoulders, and said she'd soon get another job. Timothy was distraught and believed he might have to quit college. Their different reactions to the same stressful event emphasize the importance of: A. quantifying major life events in terms of life change units. B. gender differences in response to stressors. C. cultural differences in response to stressors. D. their respective cognitive appraisals of the event.

D). Their respective cognitive appraisals of the event.

Explanation:

As per the question, the different reactions of Tammy and Timothy to the same stressful event i.e. 'loss of their part-time jobs' highlights the significance of 'their respective cognitive appraisals of the event.' Tammy interpreted the situation quite calmly('mildly disturbed, shrugged her shoulders') and persuaded herself that 'she would soon get another job' while on the other hand, Timothy took the event quite anxiously and was very distressed and hopeless and began to think that 'he might have to quit college.' Thus, this reflects the importance of 'cognitive appraisal' of the situation (subjective interpretation of a specific stimulus').