Deck 12: Aging

Question 1

The graying of America refers to the increasing numbers of elderly in the United States, but graying is also:

A) something that is about to change and reverse itself
B) a worldwide phenomenon
C) a reflection of how we see our elderly population and not "just a number"
D) applicable to ethnic and minority groups in other countries

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Factors such as modern agriculture, improved sanitation, control of epidemics, and medicine have led to significant improvements in life expectancy:

A) throughout the world
B) primarily in the United States
C) among people over 80
D) especially for men

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Psychological aging:

A) involves memory loss, but not normally until the late eighties
B) has effects that are more established than physical effects
C) can involve clarity of thought, but normally these effects disappear completely by the late eighties
D) has largely been overlooked as an important area of study by sociologists and scientists

Answer 3

A

Question 4

According to the text, between 2015 and 2060, the number of older Americans will:

A) shrink by half
B) nearly double
C) increase only slightly
D) more than triple

Question 5

Older adults who are engaged with community activities such as volunteering or part-time work are one of the reasons why ________ theory might not be as sound as its proponents suggest.

A) socioemotional selectivity
B) disengagement
C) activity
D) conflict

Question 6

The discipline concerned with the study of the social aspects of aging is known as:

A) social aging
B) biological aging
C) social gerontology
D) psychological aging

Question 7

Eunice tells a colleague, "I wish Professor Carlson would retire. He has a nice big office, and the department can't afford to hire any new faculty. I'm getting my PhD next month, and I'd love to work here." This is an example of:

A) prejudice
B) social gerontology
C) social conflict theory
D) disengagement theory

Question 8

The theory that explicitly argues that it is functional for society to remove elderly people from their roles to free those roles for others who would be more successful and productive is:

A) functionalism
B) disengagement theory
C) socioemotional selectivity theory
D) conflict theory

Question 9

For most of human history, the average life expectancy at birth was:

A) less than 20 years
B) between 20 and 30 years
C) between 30 and 40 years
D) more than 40 years but less than it is today

Question 10

The median age of the U.S. population is rising. In 1850, half the population was older than 19. Today, half is over:

A) 65
B) 35
C) 50
D) 22

Question 11

Which of the following groups is most likely to live longest in U.S. society?

A) black men
B) white men
C) black women
D) white women

Question 12

Mary, a 75-year-old widow, has several close friends and maintains a close relationship to her children, but she does not have many casual friends. Mary's social life is best explained by:

A) socioemotional selectivity theory
B) functionalism theory
C) conflict theory
D) disengagement theory

Question 13

A common criticism of functionalist theory is that it:

A) was too focused on social inequalities and not enough on the abilities of elderly people
B) paid too little attention to the inevitable mental and physical decline of elderly people
C) unrealistically assumed that elderly people could play an active part in defining their own roles
D) emphasized the need for elderly people to adjust to existing conditions rather than participate in changing them

Question 14

The average life expectancy of a baby born in the United States today is just over _______ years.

A) 70
B) 59
C) 66
D) 78

Question 15

Alzheimer's disease:

A) is an insignificant factor in dementia in old age
B) is relatively common in persons under age 75 who are in independent living situations
C) afflicts about one-third of all people over age 85
D) is studied as thoroughly by sociologists as medical doctors

Question 16

If we tell someone, "Act your age," we are referring to their:

A) biological age
B) psychological age
C) social age
D) normal age

Question 17

The characteristic that differentiates people who are elderly in countries such as England, France, and the United States from people who are elderly in less industrialized countries is that people who are elderly:

A) in less industrialized countries have lower marriage rates than those in industrialized countries
B) in less industrialized countries are segregated, but in more industrialized countries they are integrated into the general population
C) in less industrialized countries are a smaller population than the youth population in industrialized countries
D) are more likely to be men than women in less industrialized countries

Question 18

One of the major reasons for dramatic improvement in the quality of life for older adults today as opposed to 100 years ago is due to the increased proliferation of:

A) assistive technologies
B) cell phones
C) availability of emergency medical services
D) Medicaid and Medicare

Question 19

Norms, values, and roles that are culturally associated with a particular chronological point in a person's life make up the person's:

A) biological age
B) psychological age
C) social age
D) age role

Question 20

According to 1950s functionalist theorist Talcott Parsons, U.S. society needed to find roles for elderly people that were appropriate for their age, and his argument was that this resulted from the fact that:

A) U.S. society tended to overemphasize youth and deny death
B) the elderly were unable to actively participate in what were once established social roles, such as politics
C) older people were increasingly unable to participate in shaping and defining their own social roles
D) younger people were abandoning their elders, resulting in a social crisis

Question 21

The theory advocating that both society and people who are elderly can benefit if elderly people remain actively engaged in work and other social roles as long as they can is:

A) Talcott Parsons's functionalism theory
B) disengagement theory
C) activity theory
D) conflict theory

Question 22

The U.S. group that is overrepresented among persons aged 65 and older is:

A) non-Hispanic whites
B) men
C) foreign-born persons
D) the oldest old

Question 23

As we age, we come to depend on other resources in our lives-family, friends, and social networks. Avoiding social isolation differs between men and women, and for women, one of the more important resources is:

A) their adult children
B) an ability to find a suitable mate and remarry
C) their emotionally intimate social relationships
D) an ability to remember to take care of themselves

Question 24

According to the textbook, the unemployed near elderly (those ages 55-64) have a more difficult time finding a job than their younger counterparts. One reason for this is because:

A) they are more socially isolated
B) they are more likely to have children
C) they are a large cohort
D) they have different social skills

Question 25

Why is it easier for an aged, divorced, or widowed male to find a mate than it is for an aged, divorced, or widowed female?

A) A sex ratio imbalance begins at birth in our society.
B) Women are unlikely to date men who have already been married.
C) The male's pool of potential partners would probably include mates that are many years younger.
D) Aged, divorced, or widowed females segregate themselves from society at large, while males do not.

Question 26

Alice is suffering from more emotional loneliness than her friends. She thinks it is important for her husband to be her soulmate, while most of her friends think that, over the course of a marriage, practical companionship is more important. One reasonable explanation for why Alice is more emotionally lonely than her friends is due to:

A) a different standard of what makes up an optimal relationship network
B) the rapidly increasing average life span and the subsequent imbalance in the population
C) the difference in their number of social relationships
D) further technological progress leading to increased isolation of elderly people who are uncomfortable with technology

Question 27

The second generation of theories of aging focused on:

A) how well the aged were integrated into the larger society
B) the extent to which activity is functional for the aged and for society
C) sources of social conflict between the elderly and the larger society
D) the roles provided for the aged in our society

Question 28

What was it about the conditions following World War II that had a positive impact on the young old?

A) Weak economic conditions led to the passage of Medicare and Medicaid, which primarily benefit this group.
B) Strong economic conditions meant that this group did not have to work in order to retire.
C) Weak economic conditions motivated this group to work harder.
D) Strong economic conditions meant better education and acquisition of a home.

Question 29

Among the elderly, the group with the highest poverty rate is:

A) the oldest old
B) women living alone
C) women supporting their adult children
D) men living with their adult children

Question 30

The source of many of the problems of aging, according to social conflict theories, is that:

A) social institutions favor those who have the most economic power
B) disengagement of the elderly from their previous roles creates intense social conflict
C) roles that have no meaning for older people lead to resentment between elders and youth
D) ignorance of biological repercussions of aging by others fosters resentment among the elderly

Question 31

The text suggests that future generations may suffer from social isolation more than aged people today because of smaller family sizes, divorce rates, and childlessness. These factors all increase the risk of:

A) social loneliness
B) age discrimination
C) elder abuse
D) generational equality

Question 32

According to the text, which of the following statements is correct?

A) Men are actually more sociable than women.
B) Women are more likely to outlive husbands and have more difficulty finding another mate.
C) Men are more likely than women to be widowed.
D) Sociologists agree that men and women are equally likely to experience loneliness.

Question 33

Chen is approaching 70 years of age. Rather than taking on a full range of expected roles for an older woman, she takes on just the activities that suit her preferences and those activities she has always enjoyed. If this choice is associated with enhanced mental and physical health for Chen, this would be evidence supportive of the:

A) socioemotional selectivity theory
B) continuity theory
C) conflict theory
D) activity theory

Question 34

The poverty rate for older adults would jump to almost 19 percent if __________ were taken into account when calculating poverty.

A) health care costs
B) gender
C) marital status
D) education costs

Question 35

Past research suggests that well-being in adulthood and into the older years differs on average between those born during the Great Depression and those born during the baby boom. The theory that would be most likely to focus on this is:

A) functionalism
B) conflict theory
C) life course theory
D) continuity theory

Question 36

Why do statistics show that the Hispanic population in the United States is graying the least?

A) Hispanics are healthier than the rest of the population.
B) Many older Latino immigrants return to their home countries in later life.
C) Hispanic populations have better access to health care.
D) There is a strong trend of a declining Hispanic population in the United States.

Question 37

Conflict theories of aging grew during the 1980s as the number of jobs as well as federal spending shrunk. The apparent connection between these social shifts and the proliferation of conflict theories can be explained if we consider that conflict theories of aging focus on:

A) how well-integrated the elderly are into society
B) how older persons actively participate in determining their well-being
C) how people are relieved of their traditional roles as they age
D) different groups competing for scarce resources

Question 38

People who are elderly can be divided into three age groups. Aside from their younger age, what advantages do the "young old" have relative to the "old old"?

A) The young old tend to be more widely traveled.
B) The young old grew up during a time of economic hardship, which taught them discipline.
C) The Great Depression and World War II had little effect on the lives of the young old.
D) The old old profited from owning their own homes during a positive real estate market.

Question 39

As of 2015, almost 12 percent of the elderly population in the United States was foreign born. Differing education levels as well as a lack of reliable retirement income for this population pose a significant barrier in their lives. One additional and highly significant problem that adds to the difficulty is that many:

A) do not speak English
B) conceal their retirement income
C) are unable to complete needed paperwork for social service assistance
D) do not want to live in the United States

Question 40

Third-generation theories on aging suggested that numerous factors shape aging. While recognizing that social structures impose constraints, third-generation theorists also emphasize the idea that the elderly have:

A) Medicare
B) agency
C) political power
D) more resources

Question 41

Regarding the place of older adults in U.S. politics, it is clear that:

A) older adults are highly engaged
B) older men but not women are highly engaged
C) older people are much less engaged
D) the oldest old are the most engaged

Question 42

What has changed significantly regarding the health of the elderly in the United States?

A) The incidence of chronic disabilities has declined in recent years.
B) Most of the elderly think their own health is extremely poor.
C) Elderly patients account for around 0.09 percent of health care expenditures.
D) The elderly are increasingly used to living with more pain than ever.

Question 43

People who are elderly in the United States are likely to be viewed as:

A) a source of historical memory
B) a source of traditional wisdom
C) productive and independent
D) inflexible

Question 44

Which of the following is the thing most feared by Americans about growing old?

A) having nothing to do
B) losing their health
C) being lonely and socially isolated
D) becoming a burden to others

Question 45

Terry is a retired elementary school teacher who volunteers at the local nursing home by teaching small groups of seniors. The students pick new topics each month. Terry prepares a small lecture and leads discussions each week. Terry is practicing ________ learning.

A) lifelong
B) functional
C) active
D) equity

Question 46

As the number of people who are elderly continues to grow, which area of public policy will feel the greatest burden?

A) education
B) transportation
C) medical care
D) housing

Question 47

The governmental program that covers the cost of acute medical care for people who are elderly is:

A) Medicaid
B) Medicare
C) Social Security
D) Elderly Care Act

Question 48

According to the text, a source of ageism is the excessive preoccupation with youth, which leads to:

A) a stereotype of people who are elderly as content, wise, and serene
B) the dismissal of elders as unimportant to young people's lives
C) perceptions that the elderly are well-off and do not require help
D) dismissal of the elderly due to their ability to learn technology at an adequate pace

Question 49

Prejudice or discrimination based on age is:

A) very rare
B) ageism
C) no longer a problem in the United States
D) unintentional

Question 50

How much of the U.S. federal budget does Medicare account for?

A) 33 percent
B) 54 percent
C) 15 percent
D) 25 percent

Question 51

Studies confirm that the most likely person to abuse an infirm aged person is:

A) an outside caregiver
B) a spouse
C) a sibling
D) another relative

Question 52

Ninety-three percent of elderly Americans have Medicare, and yet they must spend almost 13 percent of their total income on medical costs, far higher than any other segment of the population. Why does this disparity exist?

A) Health needs of the elderly are far greater than anyone else.
B) Medicare covers only about one-half of the total cost of health care.
C) Medicare funding is constantly subjected to partisan political battles and changes yearly.
D) Other government programs exist that supplement this cost, but the elderly rarely know what these are.

Question 53

Which of the following organizations has the most political influence as an advocate for people who are elderly?

A) National Rifle Association
B) Roman Catholic Church
C) AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons)
D) Medicaid

Question 54

With respect to health care, people who are elderly differ from other age groups in the United States in that they are:

A) almost all at least partially covered by government-funded health insurance
B) remarkably less likely to suffer from health problems
C) less likely to experience chronic diseases
D) discriminated against regularly by health care professionals

Question 55

Most pertinent studies have shown that elder abuse is underreported, largely because:

A) their children are often ashamed to admit that they have abused their elders
B) social service agencies are unwilling or unable to document this problem
C) there is no provision in hospitals and care facilities to record instances of abuse
D) the elderly may be embarrassed, ashamed, or fearful of retaliation by their abusers and thus may be reluctant to report such experiences

Question 56

The governmental program that covers medical care for the poor and long-term care (nursing homes for people who are elderly when they have "drawn down" or have few assets except their homes) is:

A) Medicaid
B) Medicare
C) Social Security
D) Elderly Care Act

Question 57

The governmental program that provides retirement pay for all elderly persons who have worked at least a minimum number of years in their lifetime is:

A) Medicaid
B) Medicare
C) Social Security
D) Elderly Care Act

Question 58

Other than the Roman Catholic Church, the largest member-based organization in the world is:

A) the National Rifle Association
B) the American Cancer Association
C) the American Association of Recovering Alcoholics
D) AARP (formerly American Association of Retired Persons)

Question 59

Since the inceptions of Medicare and Social Security, poverty rates among people who are elderly in the United States have:

A) decreased only slightly
B) declined steadily and significantly
C) increased slightly
D) stayed about the same

Question 60

Which of the following countries only provides partial health care coverage for its elderly?

A) Canada
B) the United States
C) Sweden
D) Germany

Question 61

Americans for Generational Equity argue that federal programs:

A) favor retirees over other needy groups in society
B) are equitable to all the groups to which they provide programs and services
C) are a waste because the aged population does not need insurance or Social Security to survive
D) need to focus on the aged because they are the backbone of society

Question 62

The combination of the graying of the population and globalization will mean:

A) an investment into life-prolonging medications will diminish as fears of overpopulation rise
B) a probable decreased burden on government support programs for people who are elderly
C) interlocking family cultural webs will disappear
D) the traditional patterns of family care will be challenged

Question 63

The sociological definition of aging focuses only on the social processes that affect people as they age.

Question 64

How does the government compute your Social Security benefits?

A) The cost of living and your lifetime earned income are totaled, and you are provided 70 percent of that amount.
B) Your gender combined with your total income over your lifetime is used in a formula that determines monthly allowances.
C) Your allocation is based on your medical history and on your earnings combined with that of your spouse and your children at the time of your retirement.
D) Your benefits are based on your earnings over the course of your (or your spouse's) work life and other factors, such as the age when you decide to draw Social Security.

Question 65

Activity theory argues that when elders stay engaged in their work as long as they are able, there are benefits. What are these benefits?

Question 66

What can help make a significant difference in health for the elderly as well as others?

Question 67

The country that has cultural tenets for businesses to support postretirement work for employees at the same company where they had been employed is:

A) the United States
B) China
C) France
D) Japan

Question 68

The question of generational equity will become more acute as:

A) an increasingly poor population of elderly people is supported by an increasingly wealthy younger cohort
B) the proportion of people who are elderly in the population continues to shrink
C) fewer and fewer people of working age pay more and more in taxes to support elderly people who have retired
D) young people learn to value the contributions that earlier generations made to society

Question 69

According to the text, Social Security provides the average retiree:

A) just enough to stay above the poverty line
B) 70 percent of the total average lifetime income
C) not enough to keep the recipient above the poverty line
D) less than 20 percent of the total lifetime income

Question 70

According to UN estimates, by the year 2050, the number of people age 65 or older globally will be:

A) 200 million
B) 2 billion
C) 500 million
D) 1.5 billion

Question 71

A person who is emotionally isolated will also be someone who suffers from social isolation.

Question 72

According to the text, by 2050, the population in industrialized societies who will be older adults is ________ percent.

A) 5
B) 14
C) 27
D) 53

Question 73

The majority of people in the United States who are elderly are socially isolated.

Question 74

In U.S. society, people who are elderly are generally a homogeneous group with little variation in physical and mental ability, class, political values, or sexual preference.

Question 75

You are in your twenties and your employer deducts money from each paycheck that goes to a fund for Social Security and Medicare. Who is most likely to benefit from the money taken from your paycheck for these programs?

A) Your parents will eventually receive the benefits.
B) As the employee, you will receive the benefits.
C) Your children will receive the benefits.
D) Your grandparents will eventually receive the benefits.

Question 76

Generational equity argues for the balance between the needs and interests of members of different generations. There is a fear that as U.S. society ages:

A) too many young people will have decreased expectations for their own retirement
B) working people will bear the burden of those who do not work
C) Social Security will run out and there will be money for only the aged
D) Social Security will not privatize, leaving the younger generation without a future

Question 77

Generational equity is about striking a balance between the needs and interests of different generations and emerged from concerns about government's:

A) ability to privatize the postretirement generation
B) ability to meet the disparity between generations in and out of the workforce
C) willingness to support and fund social service support programs for all generations
D) willingness to consider the need for funding preretirement young workers

Question 78

Societies that have incorporated certain familial forms and religious practices are more likely to value people who are aged in their societies and consider them in political decisions and public events. An example of the familial form and religious practice in these societies is that of:

A) nuclear family and ancestor worship
B) extended family and monotheistic religion
C) extended family and ancestor worship
D) nuclear family and monotheistic religion

Question 79

When the elderly have rich and stimulating lives, what ability is unlikely to decline significantly until their late eighties?

Question 80

What do we know about the psychological effects of aging?