Deck 22: Human Development Across the Life Span Part 2

Question 1

James Marcia termed individuals who were delaying commitment and actively exploring alternative ideologies as being in a state of identity

A) postponement.
B) diffusion.
C) foreclosure.
D) moratorium.

Answer 1

moratorium.

Question 2

The ratio of attempted to completed suicides is ____ for adolescents than the ratio is for adults.

A) much lower
B) not significantly different
C) slightly higher
D) much higher

Answer 2

much higher

Question 3

The last area of the brain to fully mature in late adolescence or early adulthood is the

A) hypothalamus.
B) prefrontal cortex.
C) occipital cortex.
D) medulla.

Answer 3

occipital cortex.

Question 4

After considering a number of possible majors and careers, Christi has decided to major in business management and work in advertising. Christi has recently established the identity status of

A) identity achievement.
B) identity diffusion.
C) identity foreclosure.
D) identity moratorium.

Question 5

The two dimensions James Marcia described that combine to yield four identity statuses are

A) completion and confusion.
B) commitment and confusion.
C) commitment and crisis.
D) completion and crisis.

Question 6

In Erikson's theory, the psychosocial crisis during adolescence is

A) identity versus confusion.
B) generativity versus self-absorption.
C) industry versus inferiority.
D) intimacy versus isolation.

Question 7

The ratio of attempted suicides to completed suicides tends to be highest in which of the following age groups?

A) preteens
B) teenagers
C) those at midlife
D) the aged

Question 8

The immaturity of the prefrontal cortex has been used to explain

A) why adolescents engage in risky behavior like reckless driving, and unprotected sex.
B) the five percent increase in brain volume during middle childhood and adolescence.
C) the acquisition of conservation skills by adolescents.
D) the ability of early adolescents to engage in post-conventional moral thinking.

Question 9

Recent research has suggested the instability and turmoil (or storm and stress) commonly believed to be associated with adolescence.

A) is, in fact, more likely than turmoil is at other ages.
B) occurs in the majority of adolescents.
C) occurs primarily in males.
D) occurs primarily in females.

Question 10

Boys who mature ____ and girls who mature ____ are more likely than other adolescents to feel subjective distress and emotional difficulties with the transition to adolescence.

A) late; late
B) early; late
C) late; early

Question 11

Recent evidence by Jeffery Arnett (1999) on the stress and turmoil associated with adolescence suggests that

A) stress and turmoil during adolescence is a universal phenomenon.
B) very few adolescents actually experience any stress or turmoil.
C) adolescence is more stressful for those raised in traditional, preindustrial cultures.
D) storm and stress is less likely during adolescence than at other ages.

Question 12

Fifteen-year-old Marta has had a relatively smooth adolescent period and, at the urging of her parents, has already decided on a college and a career. If Marta is simply playing a passive role in relationship to her parents, she may well be in a state of identity

A) moratorium.
B) foreclosure.
C) diffusion.
D) achievement.

Question 13

Brock was not sure what he wanted to do while he was in college, so he talked to the career counselors last year. His profile showed a strong interest in both medicine and animals, so he got a part-time job at the local humane society. He also checked the requirements for veterinary school, and he has now completed six of the courses required for the veterinary program. He is convinced that this is the ideal career for him. According to James Marcia, Brock would be considered to be in a state of identity

A) diffusion.
B) foreclosure.
C) achievement.
D) moratorium.

Question 14

Relative to older age groups, adolescents

A) complete suicide more often.
B) complete suicide just as often.
C) attempt suicide more often.
D) attempt suicide less often.

Question 15

A college student who is exploring different subjects and potential majors to help decide on a suitable career can be BEST considered to be in the identity status of

A) identity achievement.
B) identity diffusion.
C) identity foreclosure.
D) identity moratorium.

Question 16

Edwin has just started his third year in University, and he is still exploring the options for his major. He has taken a number of courses with the intention of obtaining a law degree, but last semester he also discovered he was very interested in geology. He feels it is important to reach a final decision before the end of the semester, and he has started investigating both career options in great detail. According to James Marcia, Edwin would be considered to be in a state of identity

A) diffusion.
B) foreclosure.
C) postponement.
D) moratorium.

Question 17

The adolescent who has arrived at a sense of self and direction after consideration of alternative possibilities is at the phase called identity

A) diffusion.
B) foreclosure.
C) moratorium.
D) achievement.

Question 18

Recent evidence that has investigated the stress and turmoil sometimes associated with adolescence suggests that

A) stress and turmoil during adolescence is a universal phenomenon.
B) very few adolescents actually experience any stress or turmoil.
C) adolescence is more stressful for those raised in traditional, preindustrial cultures.
D) storm and stress is more likely during adolescence than at other ages.

Question 19

Recent research suggests that adolescents may be prone to engage in risky behaviors such as reckless driving and unprotected sex because the ____ area of the brain is not fully developed until late adolescence or early adulthood.

A) hypothalamus
B) prefrontal cortex
C) occipital cortex
D) medulla

Question 20

According to Erikson's theory, individuals are faced with the psychosocial crisis of identity versus confusion during

A) elementary-school age.
B) adolescence.
C) early adulthood.
D) middle adulthood.

Question 21

Mr. and Mrs. McKavick have 3 school-age children. Their next-door neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Clancy, have 3 grandchildren who are about the same age as the McKavick's children. At the present time, based on research into marital satisfaction, it is most likely that

A) the McKavicks are experiencing higher levels of marital satisfaction than the Clancys are.
B) both couples are experiencing high levels of satisfaction in their respective marriages.
C) both couples are experiencing low levels of satisfaction in their respective marriages.
D) the Clancys are experiencing higher levels of marital satisfaction than the McKavicks are.

Question 22

In early adulthood, the psychosocial crisis centers on establishing close, personal relationships with others. This is the stage of

A) generativity versus self-absorption.
B) intimacy versus isolation.
C) identity versus confusion.
D) integrity versus despair.

Question 23

Forty-seven-year-old Jennifer has recently started tutoring students at the elementary school her own children attended many years ago. She enjoys being around the children and feels a great deal of satisfaction from her tutoring. Jennifer appears to be successfully resolving the crisis of

A) integrity versus despair.
B) industry versus inferiority.
C) intimacy versus isolation.
D) generativity versus self-absorption.

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons Arnett (2006) has proposed the stage he calls emerging adulthood?

A) there is now lengthier participation in higher education
B) increased barriers to financial independence have occured
C) people are delaying marriage and parenthood until a later age
D) recent evidence indicates the frontal cortex is not fully developed until the age of 20

Question 25

As 79-year-old Joe mentally reviews his life he cannot help from smiling to himself. He believes he married and spent over 40 years with the most wonderful woman in the world, helped to raise three fine children, and was successful in his career as an accountant. At this point in his life, Joe is experiencing

A) integrity.
B) identity.
C) generativity.
D) intimacy.

Question 26

Research concerning personality development in adulthood focuses primarily on examining

A) the search for a sense of identity during adulthood.
B) gender differences in personality during adulthood.
C) the midlife crisis.
D) the stability of personality over the life span.

Question 27

According to Erik Erickson when people have achieved true intimacy they

A) are able to make life-long commitments to another.
B) experience feelings of despair and bitterness.
C) become self-indulgent and self-absorbed.
D) endorse empathy and openness.

Question 28

Today, most couples in the empty nest stage of the family life cycle

A) experience an increase in marital satisfaction.
B) experience post-parental depression.
C) drift apart and develop separate interests outside the home.
D) are eager to start a new family and look forward to parenting.

Question 29

Donald and Marnie have three children under the age of five. Ralph and Carolyn have three children between the ages of 8 and 13. Based on research into marital satisfaction cycle, you should predict that if these couples are interviewed about their marriage and their overall levels of marital satisfaction,

A) Ralph and Carolyn will report increases in their marital satisfaction for the past few years, while Donald and Marnie will report decreases in their level of satisfaction.
B) both couples will report decreases in their overall level of marital satisfaction for the past few years.
C) Ralph and Carolyn will report decreases in their marital satisfaction for the past few years, while Donald and Marnie will report increases in their level of satisfaction.
D) both couples will report increases in their overall level marital satisfaction for the past few years.

Question 30

In recent decades, the age at which individuals marry for the first time has

A) increased for men and remained stable for women.
B) increased for women and remained stable for men.
C) decreased for both men and women.
D) increased for both men and women.

Question 31

Walter and Camille have been an "empty nest" couple since their youngest son left for college last year. Now that they are alone, it is likely that Walter and Camille will find

A) their marital satisfaction will drop considerably.
B) the transition to being a "childless" couple will be stressful and depressing.
C) their marital satisfaction will start to increase.
D) they spend less time together than they did when the children were home.

Question 32

Which of the following is NOT a current trend regarding marriage?

A) an increase in the average age at first marriage
B) an increase in the percentage of couples who voluntarily remain childless
C) an increase in the number of single adults
D) a decrease in the percentage of couples who cohabit prior to marriage

Question 33

Jocelyn is 25 years old and she feels very insecure about some of the personal and career choices she has made so far. Consequently, at this point in her life she is unwilling to form a serious, committed relationship with another person. Based on Erikson's theory, Jocelyn may

A) become self-indulgent and self-absorbed.
B) develop a sense of isolation.
C) experience feelings of despair and bitterness.
D) develop feelings of inferiority and doubt.

Question 34

Which of the following would NOT be descriptive of the way Arnett (2006) describes emerging adulthood?

A) it is a self-focused time of life
B) it is a time of great pessimism
C) it is a period of identity formation
D) it is a situation of unusual autonomy

Question 35

One recent trend in marriage in this country is

A) for marriage to occur at younger ages.
B) for most first marriages to occur in the "teen" years.
C) to increasingly postpone marriage into the late 20s or beyond.
D) to remain single throughout life.

Question 36

During Erikson's crisis of intimacy versus isolation the key concern involves developing the capacity to share intimacy with others. This stage is associated with

A) adolescence.
B) early adulthood.
C) middle adulthood.
D) late adulthood.

Question 37

Which of the following statements regarding personality changes in adulthood is MOST accurate?

A) Personality stability depends on one's sex and socioeconomic status.
B) The overall personality undergoes systematic changes throughout adulthood.
C) Personality remains extremely stable after adolescence.
D) The adult personality is characterized by both stability and change.

Question 38

Which of the following statements regarding marital satisfaction is false?

A) the more children couples have, the lower their level of marital satisfaction
B) parents exhibit lower marital satisfaction than non-parents
C) parents of adolescents exhibit lower marital satisfaction than parents of young children
D) mothers of infants exhibit the largest decrease in marital satisfaction

Question 39

Erikson's crisis of integrity versus despair is associated with

A) adolescence.
B) early adulthood.
C) middle adulthood.
D) late adulthood.

Question 40

Arnett (2006) has proposed a new developmental stage for the years between age 18 and 25 he calls

A) extended adolescence.
B) emerging adulthood.
C) adolescent moratorium.
D) adult delay.

Question 41

Research indicates couples in the empty nest period of married life

A) are more likely to divorce than other couples.
B) adjust effectively to the transition.
C) look forward to their children moving back home after finishing college.
D) experience a significant decrease in marital satisfaction.

Question 42

Which of the following does NOT describe a cognitive change associated with adult aging?

A) intellectual productivity begins to decline after age 50
B) speed in learning, solving problems, and processing information declines with age
C) memory losses associated with normal aging are moderate
D) there is a small decrease in average intelligence test score after age 60

Question 43

Which of the following statements is most accurate?

A) Menopause for most women typically occurs around age 40.
B) Middle-aged males experience hormonal changes that are equivalent to the female menopause.
C) Menopause is almost universally accompanied by severe emotional strain.
D) Most women experience relatively modest psychological distress during menopause.

Question 44

The findings of the Nun study suggest that all of the following factors reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease EXCEPT

A) participation in regular exercise or recreation.
B) participation in mentally challenging work.
C) a high level of positive emotions.
D) a low-fat, low-salt diet.

Question 45

If you were viewing the brain of an individual who had died from Alzheimer's disease, you would expect to see

A) a significant reduction in the levels of serotonin within the brain.
B) neural abnormalities, including neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
C) enlarged brain ventricles and deep cortical creases.
D) a significant decrease in the number of neurons in the hypothalamus.

Question 46

Which of the following is NOT a physical change characteristic of adult aging?

A) an increase in visual problems such as farsightedness
B) a decrease in weight through the mid-fifties and then an increase in weight
C) a decrease in brain weight after age 60
D) a decrease in hearing sensitivity

Question 47

In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, the neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are largely centered in the

A) left hemisphere of the cortex.
B) the brain stem.
C) hippocampal region.
D) the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Question 48

Roughly 70% of all cases of dementia result from

A) Alzheimer's disease.
B) Parkinson's disease.
C) strokes and cerebral hemorrhages.
D) neuronal loss that is part of the normal aging process.

Question 49

Bernard is now 80 years old. When he was 20 years old he took part in a detailed study that assessed various aspects of his intellectual functioning. If Bernard were to complete the same tests today, he would MOST likely discover that

A) his fluid intelligence has declined over time, but his crystallized intelligence has remained stable.
B) both his fluid and crystallized intelligence have declined over time.
C) his crystallized intelligence has declined over time, but his fluid intelligence has remained stable.
D) his fluid intelligence has remained stable over time, and his crystallized intelligence has increased.

Question 50

Which type of intelligence tends to remain stable as a person ages?

A) fluid
B) crystallized
C) episodic
D) procedural

Question 51

Which type of intelligence involves the ability to apply acquired knowledge and skills in problem solving?

A) fluid
B) crystallized
C) episodic
D) procedural

Question 52

The course of progressive deterioration that results in death associated with Alzheimer's disease is typically ____ years in length.

A) 1-2
B) 3-6
C) 8-10
D) 10-15

Question 53

Which type of intelligence involves basic reasoning ability, memory capacity, and speed of information processing?

A) fluid
B) crystallized
C) episodic
D) procedural

Question 54

In women, menopause typically occurs around age

A) 12.
B) 40.
C) 50.
D) 65.

Question 55

Recent research on memory in older adults shows

A) substantial decreases in both procedural and semantic memory.
B) age-related declines in the capacity of working memory.
C) a universal pattern of changes that is similar across all cultures.
D) insignificant age-related changes in the raw speed of mental processing.

Question 56

Which of the following abilities is NOT part of fluid intelligence?

A) applying acquired knowledge in problem solving
B) speed of information processing
C) memory capacity
D) basic reasoning ability

Question 57

Harry has always been a vital and active individual, however recently he has begun having difficulty remembering newly learned information after brief periods of time. What disorder are his symptoms indicative of?

A) normal aging
B) Alzheimers disease
C) Parkinson's disease
D) senility

Question 58

Which type of intelligence is much more likely to decline with age?

A) fluid
B) crystallized
C) episodic
D) procedural

Question 59

Which of the following is MOST likely to decline in the later years?

A) intellectual accomplishment
B) procedural memory
C) problem-solving ability
D) speed in processing information

Question 60

Elderly individuals are MOSTlikely to experience memory problems associated with

A) episodic memory and working memory.
B) procedural memory and semantic memory.
C) episodic memory and sensory memory.
D) procedural memory and working memory.

Question 61

Research has supported the finding that, compared to males, females tend to be

A) more sensitive to subtle, nonverbal cues.
B) more irrational.
C) more emotional.
D) more assertive.

Question 62

The major qualification of the research findings on gender differences is that

A) the data are indicative of group differences and tell us little about individuals.
B) the findings are based on only a few studies and are therefore not very representative of the population.
C) most of the research has been conducted on white middle-class children.
D) there is wide variation from study to study in how the variables have been operationalized.

Question 63

Piaget asserted that the child's experiences in the world, in combination with maturation, together influence the child's cognitive development. This assertion BEST reflects the unifying theme in psychology that

A) psychology evolves in a sociohistorical context.
B) heredity and environment jointly influence behavior.
C) psychology is theoretically diverse.
D) our experience of the world is highly subjective.

Question 64

The better documented gender differences in cognitive abilities, aggression, and sexual behavior appear

A) to depend on culture.
B) to be decreasing as more women enter the work force.
C) across a wide range of cultures.
D) to be increasing as more women enter the work force.

Question 65

Assume research shows there is a gender difference on Trait X and males tend to exhibit more of the trait than females. If the gender difference on Trait X is similar to other traits with gender differences, which of the following conclusions would BEST describe performance on Trait X?

A) a few females exhibit very low levels of the trait
B) a few males exhibit very high levels of the trait
C) most males exhibit higher levels of the trait than most females
D) the average male exhibits slightly higher levels of the trait than the average female

Question 66

On the average, females perform better than males on tests of

A) short-term memory
B) verbal skills
C) visual-spatial ability
D) mathematical ability

Question 67

The fact that a child's temperament elicits different reactions from each parent, depending on the parents' personalities and expectations, illustrates which of your text's organizing themes?

A) the evolution of psychology in a sociohistorical context
B) multiple causes of behavior
C) interaction of heredity and environment
D) cultural diversity

Question 68

____ gender stereotypes accurately reflect gender differences.

A) Most
B) Relatively many
C) Relatively few
D) No

Question 69

The finding that environmental factors are most likely to cause damage to specific structures of a developing embryo or fetus when those structures are undergoing rapid development BEST reflects the unifying theme in psychology that

A) psychology is theoretically diverse.
B) psychology is empirical.
C) heredity and environment jointly influence behavior.
D) psychology evolves in a sociohistorical context.

Question 70

The local school board in Middletown recently asked that the Differential Aptitude Test (DAT) be administered to all fifth grade students. They are particularly interested in the scores from the spatial relations and abstract reasoning sections. Based on the research into gender differences in cognitive abilities, you should expect that

A) the male students will score higher than the female students on both these two sections of the test.
B) the male students will score higher than the female students on the spatial relations section of the test.
C) the female students will score higher than the male students on both these two sections of the test.
D) the female students will score higher than the male students on the spatial relations section of the test.

Question 71

Starting in the grade-school years, females show a slight advantage over males in ____ skills, while males show a slight advantage over females in ____ skills.

A) verbal; visual-spatial
B) mathematical; verbal
C) visual-spatial; mathematical
D) mathematical; visual-spatial

Question 72

Which of the following statements is false?

A) males tend to score higher on measures of visual-spatial ability than females
B) males tend to exhibit slightly better mathematical abilities than females
C) males tend to exhibit slightly better verbal skills than females
D) males tend to be more aggressive than females

Question 73

Differing views on the course and nature of changes in personality across the lifespan illustrates which of the following unifying themes from your text?

A) Psychology evolves in a sociohistorical context.
B) Psychology is theoretically diverse.
C) Heredity and environment jointly influence behavior.
D) Our behavior is shaped by our cultural heritage.

Question 74

Girls who have congenital adrenal hyperplasia have adrenal glands that produce high levels of androgens (male hormones). Studies have shown that girls with this condition have elevated scores on measures of

A) aggressiveness and spatial ability.
B) verbal reasoning and mathematical reasoning.
C) spatial ability and verbal reasoning.
D) creativity and leadership skills.

Question 75

Investigations of complex, real-world issues, such as the effects of day care, illustrate which of the textbook's unifying themes?

A) Our experience of the world is highly subjective.
B) Psychology evolves in a sociohistorical context.
C) Our behavior is shaped by our cultural heritage.
D) Psychology is theoretically diverse.

Question 76

Which of the following statements is false?

A) females tend to score higher on measures of visual-spatial abilities than males
B) females tend to be more sensitive to nonverbal communication than males
C) females tend to exhibit slightly better verbal skills than males
D) males tend to exhibit slightly better mathematical abilities than females

Question 77

One's sex is ____ determined; one's gender is ____ determined.

A) culturally; biologically
B) culturally; culturally
C) biologically; culturally
D) biologically; biologically

Question 78

The local school board in Middletown has decided to introduce standardized assessment tests for all students in the sixth grade. The test has separate sections for Math and English. Based on the research into gender differences in cognitive abilities, you should expect that

A) the male students will score higher than the female students on both sections of the assessment test.
B) the female students will score higher than the male students on both sections of the assessment test.
C) the female students will score higher than the male students on the English section of the assessment test.
D) the female students will score higher than the male students on the Math section of the assessment test.

Question 79

Gender differences in behavior appear to be influenced by observational learning, operant conditioning, socialization in schools, and role models in the media, among other things. These findings illustrate which of your text's unifying themes?

A) Psychology evolves in a sociohistorical context.
B) Psychology is theoretically diverse.
C) Behavior is determined by multiple causes.
D) Our experience of the world is highly subjective.

Question 80

When psychologists say that "males and females differ on Trait X," they mean that

A) all males differ from all females on Trait X.
B) most males differ from most females on Trait X.
C) a few males differ from a few females on Trait X.
D) the average male differs from the average female on Trait X.