Deck 12: Midlife

Question 1

On the "Big Five" trait list,Gloria ranks high on extraversion.Gloria is:

A)nervous and anxious.
B)a risk-taker who seeks out new experiences.
C)kind,empathic,and able to compromise.
D)gregarious,outgoing,and assertive.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The people who are MOST likely to thrive in the role of grandparents are:

A)custodial.
B)male.
C)older.
D)highly generative.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Katie is a ballet dancer.Janet is a textbook writer.Which person is MOST likely to reach her professional peak at an older age?

A)Katie
B)Janet
C)It could be either Katie or Janet.
D)Both Katie and Janet will reach their peak in their 40s.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Mary is a high-strung and chronically anxious person.She has trouble coping with stressful situations that other people seem to handle with ease.Mary MOST likely scores highly on the "Big Five" personality dimension of:

A)neuroticism.
B)agreeableness.
C)conscientiousness.
D)psychoticism.

Question 5

Which of the following qualities is NOT important in postformal thought?

A)looking at the world from different perspectives
B)making decisions based on inner "gut" feelings
C)focusing on producing a single "right" answer
D)delighting in finding new questions

Question 6

Jason's mother sometimes jokes that Jason was born late and has been running late ever since.Jason also tends to be irresponsible and a bit undependable.Jason is probably rated low on the "Big Five" personality dimension of:

A)conscientiousness.
B)neuroticism.
C)agreeableness.
D)extraversion.

Question 7

Jennifer is a 60-year-old woman who wants advice on how to flourish in her adult years.According to the text,you might recommend all of the following EXCEPT to:

A)put yourself in mentally stimulating situations with people.
B)avoid developing a generative mission.
C)think of disappointments as an opportunity to grow.
D)focus on your top-ranking priorities and work harder at those tasks.

Question 8

Fran is characterized as ranking high on neuroticism on the "Big Five" trait list.Fran tends to:

A)live longer than the average person.
B)be responsible and health aware.
C)be stressed out and anxious.
D)be a risk-taker.

Question 9

Many researchers have noticed a marked decline in intelligence test scores shortly before older people die or become seriously ill.This is known as:

A)crystallized disruption.
B)selective optimization.
C)generativity stagnation.
D)terminal drop.

Question 10

Based on the results of the Seattle Longitudinal Study,a person is MOST likely to reach his or her intellectual peak in the:

A)early 20s.
B)20s and mid-30s.
C)40s and early 50s.
D)50s and mid-60s.

Question 11

Han asks you,"Do people become happier with age?" According to the text,the MOST reasonable answer is:

A)Yes,according to a good deal of self-reported research.
B)No,according to a good deal of self-reported research.
C)It is impossible to tell because the results of studies are contradictory.
D)Yes,but only in advanced old age.

Question 12

Rhonda reports "I am happier now than at any other age." According to the text,Rhonda is MOST likely in her:

A)20s.
B)30s.
C)40s.
D)60s.

Question 13

Young women feel _____ about their bodies than their middle-aged counterparts.

A)better
B)less anxious
C)the same
D)more dissatisfied

Question 14

According to evolutionary psychologists,grandmothers and menopause evolved to:

A)promote the survival of the young.
B)give females a rest from hands-on child care.
C)ensure that the population would not grow too fast or too large.
D)promote happiness at the end of life.

Question 15

Sixty-year-old Maria is a highly generative person.She is likely to have all of the following qualities/traits EXCEPT:

A)no redemption sequences.
B)a strong commitment script.
C)a strong sense of personal power.
D)highly nurturing family relationships.

Question 16

As women approach menopause,they TYPICALLY experience:

A)an increase in estrogen production.
B)very severe mood swings.
C)hot flashes.
D)stable levels of estrogen production.

Question 17

When friends and family are asked to describe 28-year-old Marisol,they say that she is eager to seek out new experiences and loves to travel.On the "Big Five" trait list,Marisol would be ranked highly on:

A)neuroticism.
B)extraversion.
C)openness to experience.
D)conscientiousness.

Question 18

All of the following are true of sexual changes in middle-aged men EXCEPT:

A)they need more time to develop an erection.
B)they are more likely to lose an erection before ejaculation occurs.
C)their ejaculations are more intense.
D)they are not able to have another erection for 12 to 24 hours after sex.

Question 19

Maria's fluid intelligence is at its highest point.Maria MOST likely is in her:

A)20s.
B)30s.
C)40s.
D)50s.

Question 20

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)has a(n)_____ scale.

A)mental and a motor
B)verbal and a performance
C)English and a Spanish
D)physical and a mental

Question 21

Research shows that youth is the happiest life stage.

Question 22

People who devote their days to "packing in" pleasures have exceptionally fulfilling lives.

Question 23

People reach their intellectual peak in their late thirties and early forties.

Question 24

Many people in their late sixties and even seventies consider themselves middle-aged.

Question 25

Crystallized intelligence improves through middle age,while fluid skills begin to decline relatively early in adult life.

Question 26

It's impossible for a person to be highly creative in his or her eighties and nineties.

Question 27

All of the following are true of U.S.caregiving grandparents EXCEPT that:

A)their numbers have been decreasing.
B)they take on full responsibility for raising their grandchildren.
C)they sometimes feel physically drained.
D)they feel a responsibility to take on the "active" watchdog role.

Question 28

Generative people often describe undergoing tragic life experiences that produced emotional growth.

Question 29

As people confront the challenges of adulthood and move into midlife,many become more mature.

Question 30

African Americans are more likely to be exceptionally generative than the general population.

Question 31

Grandparents' family watchdog role involves:

A)monitoring the well-being of younger family members and intervening to provide help in a crisis.
B)monitoring the behavior of older family members.
C)regularly telling parents how to raise the grandchildren.
D)taking a "watchful" but always a hands-off role in family life.

Question 32

Intergenerational commitments refer to an adult's feelings of obligation to:

A)elderly parents,children,and grandchildren.
B)members of their religious organization.
C)siblings and friends.
D)other middle-aged cohorts.

Question 33

Adults who have mentally challenging jobs that involve working with people are more likely to become more intellectually flexible as they age.

Question 34

The peak age for female sexual desire is the:

A)late teens.
B)early 20s.
C)early 30s.
D)late 50s.

Question 35

Physical health has little impact on intellectual abilities as people age.

Question 36

Personality makes no difference in whether people feel good or bad about aging.

Question 37

Older and middle-aged women:

A)report more interest in sex than men.
B)are more likely to be without a partner and often report less interest in sex than younger women.
C)receive many sexual signals from the outside world.
D)are at their peak in terms of sexual desire.

Question 38

The Big Five trait of "conscientiousness" sets people up for a successful life.

Question 39

People's priorities and life goals shift as they travel into and through midlife.

Question 40

Custodial grandparents do all of the following EXCEPT:

A)step in to take custody of the grandchildren.
B)often have mixed emotions about their situation.
C)have a son or daughter who is incapable of providing for a child's care.
D)are thrilled to finally have a meaningful role in life in their "empty nest" years.

Question 41

Grandparents all act in similar ways.

Question 42

Caring for an aging parent is especially difficult emotionally when children feel their siblings are not doing their fair share.

Question 43

Which Big Five trait does NOT predict the quality of later-life cognition and health?

A)extraversion
B)neuroticism
C)openness to experience
D)conscientiousness

Question 44

In general,people gradually get wiser as they age.

Question 45

All of these adults are apt to feel especially negative about aging EXCEPT:

A)a 40-year-old man with serious heart disease.
B)a woman with serious emotional problems.
C)a person who is living below the poverty line.
D)a parent who runs marathons.

Question 46

Evgenia,at age 24,ranks "high" on the trait of conscientiousness.In her forties and fifties,which of the following would NOT be a reasonable prediction for Evgenia?

A)She will be successful in her career.
B)Evgenia will be happily married.
C)She will change dramatically in conscientiousness during midlife.
D)Evgenia will live longer,because she takes good care of her health.

Question 47

Caregiving grandparents who take full responsibility for raising their grandchildren typically feel thrilled by having this opportunity.

Question 48

Women typically want plastic surgery as they reach middle age.

Question 49

Sex for a couple is "over" when men can no longer have an erection.

Question 50

Grandparents view commenting on their children's parenting skills as a crucially important mission.

Question 51

Paternal grandparents tend to be more involved with the grandchildren than maternal grandparents.

Question 52

Delbert suffers from serious depression.Deniz has sought new challenges from the time she was young.Which are Delbert and Deniz's Big Five personality traits,in order?

A)neuroticism (Delbert);extraversion (Deniz)
B)openness to experience (Delbert);neuroticism (Deniz)
C)neuroticism (Delbert);openness to experience (Deniz)
D)introversion (Delbert);openness to experience (Deniz)

Question 53

Which Big Five traits may help keep people cognitively sharp as they age?

A)conscientiousness and openness to experience
B)extraversion and neuroticism
C)agreeableness and extraversion
D)conscientiousness and agreeableness

Question 54

Which Big Five trait is NOT associated with being successful in life?

A)extraversion
B)agreeableness
C)neuroticism
D)conscientiousness

Question 55

Postformal thinkers realize that there are often no absolute right answers to life dilemmas.

Question 56

Jolene is describing the beginning and end of middle age.Based on the text,what might she say?

A)"It starts when people physically decline and ends when they have health problems."
B)"It starts at about age 40 and traditionally lasts until age 60 or 65."
C)"It starts at age 50 and lasts until people retire."
D)"It starts when people have children and ends when they physically decline."

Question 57

Couples can be sexually active well into later life.

Question 58

Selective optimization with compensation involves focusing most on low-priority life tasks.

Question 59

Ben is incredibly friendly and outgoing.Bettina is the most reliable person you know.Which are Ben's and Bettina's Big Five traits in order?

A)extraversion (Ben);conscientiousness (Bettina)
B)agreeableness (Ben);conscientiousness (Bettina)
C)neuroticism (Ben);conscientiousness (Bettina)
D)extraversion (Ben);agreeableness (Bettina)

Question 60

Which phrase BEST describes the characteristics of middle age?

A)a long period of stability
B)a frustrating,overwhelming time
C)an incredibly diverse period of losses and gains
D)a period of slow physical and mental decline

Question 61

At age 25,Jim ranks low on conscientiousness.In midlife,Jim is apt to:

A)become a bit more reliable,but still not be as conscientious as his peers.
B)remain exactly the same as he confronts the challenges of adult life.
C)change dramatically in reliability,either for the better or worse.
D)become especially reliable and responsible when compared to his peers.

Question 62

Based on Dan McAdams' studies,which of the following would a person in his or her early sixties MOST likely say?

A)"Now that my career and life are in order,my main priority is to 'give back' to people."
B)"Now that my career and life are in order,I'm even more determined to succeed."
C)"I want to rest and enjoy myself now that my career and life are in order."
D)"I want to travel the world now that my career and life are in order."

Question 63

According to the text,generativity becomes a primary life goal for people in their _____.

A)forties
B)fifties
C)early sixties
D)eighties

Question 64

Fatin is about to turn 50.He doesn't really have much feeling for his children and spouse,and has a routine,boring job.He feels as if his life doesn't have much purpose.According to Erikson,Fatin is suffering from _____.

A)generativity
B)despair
C)stagnation
D)inferiority

Question 65

Achieving _____ happiness is the defining quality involved in having a fulfilling life.

A)hedonic
B)eudaimonic
C)exciting
D)continual

Question 66

Which quality is LEAST likely to change as people age?

A)neuroticism
B)life priorities
C)altruism
D)maturity

Question 67

Which college student is MOST likely to increase in the Big Five trait of conscientiousness?

A)Benito,who moves in with four roommates
B)Chao,who moves in with his girlfriend
C)Bella,who stays at home to save money
D)Megan,who leaves the nest and then moves back home

Question 68

Statistically speaking,as people age,they are likely to experience a change in all of the following qualities EXCEPT:

A)becoming more emotionally resilient.
B)being less self-critical.
C)growing angrier.
D)becoming more generative.

Question 69

Which terms apply to each piece of advice? (1)When overwhelmed with work,prioritize,devoting special time to your most important activities; (2)when making decisions,be open to different perspectives and ideas; (3)have your main priority be making a difference in the world.

A)(1)postformal thought; (2)generativity; (3)selective optimization with compensation
B)(1)generativity; (2)postformal thought; (3)selective optimization with compensation
C)(1)selective optimization with compensation; (2)generativity; (3)postformal thought
D)(1)selective optimization with compensation; (2)postformal thought; (3)generativity

Question 70

Joseph is 25 years old.At age 50,which is NOT a good prediction for Joseph?

A)He will be more conscientious.
B)Joseph will be more set in his ways.
C)He will be less self-critical.
D)Joseph will be more mature.

Question 71

Mark ranks high on conscientiousness at age 35.At age 80,which is NOT a good prediction for Mark?

A)He will probably still be alive.
B)Mark will probably have had a successful marriage.
C)Mark will probably be upper-middle class.
D)He will probably have many grandchildren.

Question 72

Aracelly is an emerging adult.Based on the research,as Aracelly travels into her fifties,she should grow more:

A)altruistic and self-confident.
B)insecure and frightened.
C)depressed and moody.
D)self-centered and rigid.

Question 73

Madeline,age 45,was not feeling fulfilled in her life.When she sat down to take stock of things,she realized that what she really wanted to do was cut back on her work hours to take more time to be a Girl Scout leader.According to Erik Erikson,this change may help Madeline achieve a sense of _____.

A)integrity
B)generativity
C)competence
D)productivity

Question 74

Ping,age 26,ranks high on the Big Five trait of agreeableness.As she gets older,she has a wide circle of friends and gets more loving over time.Ping's life path illustrates how:

A)due to an evocative process,over time,personality becomes more consistent.
B)homogamy makes for happiness in life.
C)people can change dramatically in temperament over the years.
D)people can find a perfect life.

Question 75

As people reach their early sixties for the FIRST time they:

A)care about being generative.
B)see their main life agenda as being generative.
C)have stable,generative agendas.
D)care less about being generative.

Question 76

Label each kind of happiness: (1)getting a relaxing massage; (2)feeling you are making a difference in someone's life.

A)(1)hedonic; (2)eudaimonic
B)(1)eudaimonic; (2)hedonic
C)(1)self-involved; (2)other-centered
D)(1)physical; (2)mental

Question 77

Genghis says,"My main priority is to relax and 'feel good.'" Marvin says,"My main priority is to make a difference in the world." Generalizing from the text,who is MOST apt to live a more fulfilling life?

A)Genghis
B)Marvin
C)either person equally
D)either person,depending on their ages

Question 78

A person who is generative is committed to:

A)nurturing other people's development and making a difference in the world.
B)accumulating goods and feeling more self-confident.
C)having children.
D)generating ideas.

Question 79

Which Big Five trait(s)increase(s)from youth to middle age?

A)conscientiousness and neuroticism
B)extraversion
C)agreeableness and extraversion
D)conscientiousness,extraversion,and agreeableness

Question 80

When Erikson said that midlife adults have to resolve the conflict of generativity versus stagnation,he meant that people must:

A)be productive or feel bored and stuck.
B)be mentally stimulated or become rigid in their thinking.
C)believe they are enriching the lives of others or feel purposeless.
D)be parents or feel depressed.