Deck 15: Social Aspects of Later Life: Psychosocial, Retirement, Relationship,

Question 1

Continuity theory is based on the premise that

A) daily problems are solved using strategies that have been successful in the past.
B) change is uncommon in adulthood.
C) the maximum level of cognitive abilities is achieved in middle adulthood.
D) environmental demands decline with age.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

________ well-being involves an evaluation of one's life that is associated with positive feelings.

A) Subjective
B) Objective
C) Intrinsic
D) Extrinsic

Answer 2

A

Question 3

When Walter is asked by his friends how he is going to deal with some recent changes that have occurred in his life, he just smiles and says, "Oh, I don't know! I guess I'll just do what I've always done." Walter is clearly a proponent of ________ theory.

A) consistency
B) continuity
C) familiarity
D) centrality

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT one of the types of demands that comprise environmental press?

A) interpersonal
B) social
C) occupational
D) physical

Question 5

According to Erikson, which of the following groups of people has the potential to reach integrity in their lives?

A) everyone
B) people who have children and/or grandchildren
C) people who have a "meaningful" career
D) people who have a spiritual center

Question 6

Amanda is a very old woman, and knows that she is very near the end of her life. Lately she has spent quite a bit of time reflecting on her life, thinking about her accomplishments and wondering if her days have been well-spent. According to Erikson, Amanda is currently negotiating the struggle of

A) integrity versus despair.
B) generativity versus stagnation.
C) positive end versus negative end.
D) identity versus isolation.

Question 7

Erikson felt that our own thoughts and fears of death are balanced by a(n) "________" involvement in the present. Such involvement can focus on thoughts of living on through children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the community.

A) integrity-ensuring
B) life-affirming
C) psychosocial
D) balancing

Question 8

The zone of ________ occurs when one's competence is higher than their level of environmental press.

A) proximal development
B) maximum performance potential
C) maximum adaptation level
D) maximum comfort

Question 9

Competence involves functioning in all but which of the following domains?

A) physical health
B) motor skills
C) psychological competence
D) ego strength

Question 10

When a person's level of environmental press is slightly higher than their level of competence, they will experience a(n)

A) state of negative affect and maladaptive behavior.
B) zone of maximum performance potential.
C) adaptation level.
D) zone of maximum comfort.

Question 11

The need to shovel your driveway most winter mornings before you can drive your car to work is an example of the ________ demands of environmental press.

A) interpersonal
B) social
C) physical
D) occupational

Question 12

When you are at your "adaptation level," your

A) behavior and affect are abnormal.
B) behavior and affect are normal.
C) behavior is abnormal and your affect is normal.
D) behavior is normal and your affect is abnormal.

Question 13

Bella is currently in a circumstance where her level of competence is very low, while her level of environmental press is very strong. In which of the following states will she find herself?

A) a state of negative affect and maladaptive behavior.
B) a zone of maximum performance potential.
C) an adaptation level.
D) a zone of maximum comfort.

Question 14

One of the most destructive aspects of Alzheimer's disease is that it robs a person of their ________ continuity.

A) experiential
B) internal
C) situational
D) external

Question 15

A(n) ________ is the process by which people reflect on the events and experiences of their years.

A) applied behavior analysis
B) integrity affirmation
C) life review
D) longevity encapsulation

Question 16

Bannister has run a mile in just under four minutes, which is his best time ever. This would represent his level of ____ for this skill.

A) compliance
B) competence
C) docility
D) proactivity

Question 17

________ continuity concerns remembered physical and social environments, role relationships, and activities.

A) Eidetic
B) External
C) Personal
D) Internal

Question 18

The effort that we undertake to make sense of our lives as we enter late life is called ________ in the theory of Erik Erikson.

A) generativity versus stagnation
B) integrity versus despair
C) intimacy versus isolation
D) identity versus role confusion

Question 19

Erikson felt that in order for one to achieve a sense of integrity, they must

A) find some sort of spiritual path to help them accept the parts of their life that they cannot reconcile.
B) have a healthy relationship with their children and/or grandchildren.
C) accept the fact that retirement from work is inevitable.
D) make peace with the fact that the end of their life is approaching.

Question 20

________ refers to the upper limit of a person's ability to function in several different domains.

A) Wisdom
B) Competence
C) Expertise
D) Identity

Question 21

Why is it that defining retirement is such a difficult task?

A) Because retirement is legal term that has different meanings depending on the state in which you live.
B) Because retirement is such a painful experience for most people.
C) Because there is no standard age by which people are required to retire in the United States of America.
D) Because people usually focus on the losses associated with retirement and disregard the gains.

Question 22

When health concerns are not a consideration, the primary reason for retirement for most people is

A) the desires of their spouse to spend more leisure time together.
B) being forced into retirement by company policies.
C) the need to relocate for family circumstances.
D) their own choice.

Question 23

Winecoff and colleagues (2011) used several methods to assess changes in cognitive performance and emotional behavior as adults age. Which of the following areas were NOT measured as part of this research?

A) immediate recall
B) delayed recall
C) recognition
D) distributed practice

Question 24

Retirement always involves the loss of

A) integrity.
B) maximum performance potential.
C) autonomy.
D) occupational identity.

Question 25

Higher amygdala activation is to lower amygdala activation as

A) children is to younger adults.
B) younger adults is to older adults.
C) adolescents is to younger adults.
D) old adult is to "very" old adults.

Question 26

Joanna has been having a lot of struggles in her life as of late. She has decided to embrace her spiritual faith and to turn her problems over to God. Which of the following will be the third step of this process, according to the research presented by your authors?

A) emotionally disconnecting from problems that cannot be changed
B) focusing her own efforts on parts of her problems that she can change
C) distinguishing between things that can and cannot be changed
D) going to her church to seek God's help through prayer and meditation

Question 27

Which of the following is an accurate summary of the results of the research of Winecoff and colleagues (2011), which examined neural mechanisms of emotion in the aging human brain?

A) Younger adults' reports of negative emotion were higher than older adults in the negative reappraisal situation.
B) Younger adults' reports of negative emotion were higher than older adults in the positive reappraisal situation.
C) Older adults' reports of negative emotion were higher than younger adults in the positive reappraisal situation.
D) Older adults' reports of negative emotion were higher than younger adults in the negative reappraisal situation.

Question 28

Only since ________ has there been a substantial number of people who are retired in the United States of America.

A) World War I
B) World War II
C) the Korean War
D) the Vietnam War

Question 29

Krause (2006) found that feelings of self-worth are lowest in older adults who have very little religious commitment. This finding was seen in all but which of the following groups?

A) Jews
B) Muslims
C) Hindus
D) Sikhs

Question 30

Research has found that Asian caregivers of ________ patients who are more religious report being able to handle the stresses and burdens of caregiving better than nonreligious caregivers.

A) cancer
B) dementia
C) surgery
D) dying

Question 31

Neuroimaging research has found that changes in cognitive processing in the ________ is associated with changes in emotional regulation in older adults.

A) optic chiasm
B) prefrontal cortex
C) striate nucleus
D) ascending putamen

Question 32

Dr. Llewellyn is conducting a study of changes in emotional regulation that occur as we age. He is examining different brain structures in young, middle, and older adults. He is most likely to find that development in an almond-shaped set of nuclei deep in the brain called the ________ is most highly related to the development of emotional regulation abilities.

A) amygdala
B) hippocampus
C) hypothalamus
D) reticular formation

Question 33

When having a conversation with Joseph, he shares with you that he often goes to his pastor for assistance with a variety of matters. Further, he believes firmly in a God who cares for people, and he often participates in both organized and nonorganized religious activities. Clearly Joseph is a man who has a high level of

A) spiritual support.
B) religiosity.
C) ecumenical involvement.
D) devoutness.

Question 34

How many of the following are part of the definition of spiritual support: seeking pastoral care, expressing faith in a God, participating in organized religious activities, participating in nonorganized religious activities?

A) one
B) two
C) three
D) four

Question 35

Your authors note that for some older adults, particularly ________, a strong attachment to God is what they believe helps them deal with the challenges of life.

A) African Americans
B) Asian Americans
C) Latin Americans
D) Native Americans

Question 36

As he is driving down the road one day, Reubin is suddenly aware of his growing sense of contentment. The weather is nice, the music on the radio makes him feel good, and he is driving from his good job to his nice home where his loving partner and their children are waiting for him. Reubin is experiencing a heightened sense of

A) affective affiliation.
B) subjective well-being.
C) integrity.
D) generativity.

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT typically measured in an effort to assess subjective well-being?

A) Life satisfaction
B) Stress
C) Happiness
D) Self-esteem

Question 38

During which age period has research found the lowest average levels of life-satisfaction?

A) 15-20 years
B) 21-30 years
C) 41-50 years
D) 61-70 years

Question 39

Dennis and Jennifer both joined their company at the same time, have worked together for many years, and are now approaching the age when they will retire. Which of the following is the most accurate statement with regard to their individual retirement trajectories?

A) Jennifer will probably retire involuntarily, while Dennis will choose the time of his retirement.
B) Dennis will probably retire involuntarily, while Jennifer will choose the time of her retirement.
C) Jennifer will probably spend less time planning her retirement than Dennis will.
D) Dennis will probably spend less time planning her retirement than Jennifer will

Question 40

Mickey regularly practices ________. Each day he allows a set period of time when he will be able to engage in this activity. If he were to undergo neurological research, there would probably be evidence that the attention systems in his brain are more organized.

A) a musical instrument
B) the martial arts
C) meditation
D) tai chi

Question 41

Concerning satisfaction in retirement,

A) forced retirement is associated with declines in physical and mental health.
B) well-being tends to drop significantly during the first year following voluntary retirement.
C) no group has been found to show increased levels of satisfaction in retirement.
D) early-life social challenges are almost always continued in the retirement years, even if you experience positive interactions in middle adulthood.

Question 42

Millie has recently chosen to retire from a job where she has worked for the last 34 years. She is financially stable, in reasonably good health, and has a supportive network of friends. How is she likely to feel about her retirement?

A) She is likely to feel very good about retiring.
B) She is likely to mourn the loss of her occupational identity for some time before accepting that this part of her life is over.
C) She is likely to be angry that she can no longer do her job.
D) She is likely very sad about her loss of job, and will experience significantly physical decline in the months to come.

Question 43

How has the existence of online opportunities to meet people and make friends been received by older adults?

A) Older adults have only accepted the idea of online relationships as they relate to finding new romantic connections.
B) Older adults have been minimally accepting of online relationships, but only when they serve a specific, instrumental need (e.g., home repairs, transportation assistance)
C) Older adults have dismissed the internet as a "fad" that should not be taken seriously.
D) Older adults have embraced online friendship opportunities.

Question 44

What has research consistently found about the needs of older people for friends as compared to people in younger generations?

A) Older people have a greater need than younger people for friends, but only when they are unmarried. When they have a spouse, their need for friends is negligible.
B) Older people have less need for friends than younger people
C) Older people have a greater need for friends than younger people.
D) Older people have the same need for friends as younger people.

Question 45

One reason that sibling relationships are thought to be so important is that siblings

A) often remain highly involved in each other's lives.
B) often constitute the longest-lasting relationships.
C) often support each other financially.
D) often use competition to motivate their successes throughout life.

Question 46

The people who go through your life with you, providing support in both good times and bad, comprise a social ________.

A) cooperative
B) cohort
C) convoy
D) construct

Question 47

In the last few decades, the number of community organizations designed to involve older adults has

A) increased significantly.
B) increased slightly.
C) remained stable.
D) decreased slightly.

Question 48

Every week, Stanley gets together with some friends at a local coffee shop. They have coffee and/or breakfast, talk about what is going on in their lives, and enjoy each other's company. This group has been doing this every week, without fail, for over 30 years. They have been there for each other through good times and occasionally through struggles. Stanley and his group of friends have found a(n) ________.

A) affiliative cohort
B) social convoy
C) friendship network
D) support alliance

Question 49

For which of the following individuals would the concept of retirement be particularly unclear?

A) Deanna, who has been a stay-at-home Mom and a homemaker for her entire adult life.
B) Cheryl, who has worked in retail for her whole career.
C) Carla, who has been a physician for the last 30 years.
D) Rhonda, who is a college professor at a small, liberal arts school.

Question 50

According to your textbook, social support is particularly important in ________________ immigrant communities, as these networks provide all sorts of informal assistance for health-related and other issues.

A) Asian American and African American
B) Asian American and Native American
C) African American and Mexican American
D) African American and Native American

Question 51

Darla is chatting with her friends one day, when she complains, "My husband doesn't do his share of the household chores. In fact, if it wasn't for me, our house would always be a disaster and there'd never be any clean laundry!" Her friend would be most correct if she responded by saying, "Don't worry, Darla. Household chores tend to more evenly divided between a man and woman after ________."

A) the children move out of the house
B) the husband retires
C) there are grandchildren who come visit
D) football season ends

Question 52

Under which of the following circumstances has research found no relationship between retirement and negative health effects?

A) when the retirement is legally mandated
B) when the retirement is a result of an "early buyout" from the company
C) when the retirement is a result of company financial troubles, as opposed to a problem with the worker's job performance
D) when the retirement is voluntary

Question 53

Gabriel has recently retired from his job, and he has decided that now is a good time to give back to his community by volunteering. Which of the following is NOT a likely reason why he is going to do this?

A) to provide service to others
B) to continue earning an income
C) to maintain social interactions
D) to keep active

Question 54

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of older couples?

A) they have selective memory regarding the occurrence of negative events in their relationship
B) they have a greater potential for pleasure with their partner
C) they are similar in terms of their mental and physical health
D) they have an increased potential for marital conflict

Question 55

Which is the best example of a "social convoy"?

A) a newly married couple
B) Generation X
C) several adult lifelong friends
D) a retired individual who plans to move to a community with other retirees

Question 56

Socioemotional ________ refers to a process by which social contact is motivated by many goals, including information seeking, self-concept, and emotional regulation.

A) convoying
B) assignment
C) attention
D) selectivity

Question 57

What is the relationship between the amount of time one spends using the internet and the number of friends they have?

A) Heavy internet users have more online but fewer offline friends.
B) Heavy internet users have more online and offline friends.
C) Internet abstainers have the most friends offline, and clearly no friends online.
D) Light internet users have the most offline friends and few online friends.

Question 58

Which of the following factors is NOT a component of the principle of socioemotional selectivity?

A) cognitive equilibrium
B) information seeking
C) self-concept
D) emotional regulation

Question 59

If Bernard, who is in his early 80s, is like most people, the longest-lasting relationship in his life is with

A) his social convoy.
B) his parents.
C) his sibling(s).
D) his wife.

Question 60

Why is it that cross-sex friendships are more important for men in later life than in early adulthood?

A) Because they are more frequently unmarried, and cross-sex friendships pave the way for new romantic relationships.
B) Because their same-sex friendship network may become depleted through death.
C) Because they rely on women for caretaking as their health needs increase.
D) Because women have been found to have easier access to health care, and cross-sex friendships help men access those same opportunities.

Question 61

________ older adults are those senior citizens who have physical disabilities, are very ill, and may have cognitive or psychological disorders.

A) Ambulatory
B) Convalescent
C) Infirm
D) Frail

Question 62

Actions that require some intellectual competence and planning are called _______ activities of daily living.

A) essential
B) adaptive
C) componential
D) instrumental

Question 63

Approximately ______ percent of people over 65 years of age report some sort of functional limitation in their lives.

A) 10
B) 20
C) 30
D) 40

Question 64

Felicia has recently lost her husband to a fast and unexpected illness. According to research, Felicia will have an increased risk of dying for at least ____ year(s).

A) 1
B) 3
C) 7
D) 10

Question 65

Most older adults live

A) independently.
B) in a nursing care facility.
C) in a senior living community.
D) with their children and/or grandchildren.

Question 66

Berthume is a 92-year-old gentleman. He is a widow, and has long since retired from his job. Berthume's health has been failing lately. He has many different illnesses, has begun suffering from dementia. His two adult sons have chosen to move him to a nursing home so that he can get the care that he needs, and one of them visits him every day. Berthume would best be classified as a(n) ________.

A) terminal patient.
B) frail older adult.
C) second-ager.
D) victim of environmental press.

Question 67

Martha is an older woman who is very ill and requires regular caretaking. Her husband, Henry, and her son, Chip, both share in her caretaking duties. Which of the following statements accurately reflects Chip and Henry's perceptions of the rewards of caring for Martha?

A) Both Chip and Henry will report very high levels of reward as a result of caring for Martha.
B) Neither Chip nor Henry will report that caring for Martha produces any rewards.
C) Chip will experience more rewards as a result of caring for Martha than Henry will.
D) Henry will experience more rewards as a result of caring for Martha than Chip will.

Question 68

Which of the following is the MOST accurate statement about the comparison of same-sex and heterosexual partnerships?

A) Gay and lesbian relationships tend to last for far less time than heterosexual marriages.
B) Gay and lesbian relationships do not differ in quality from long-term heterosexual marriages.
C) Gay and lesbian relationships tend to be more stable and solid over time than heterosexual marriages.
D) Gay men tend to have more successful relationships than heterosexual couples, but lesbians tend to have less successful relationships.

Question 69

According to research, how do most people who lose their spouse (widows or widowers) fare after the loss?

A) Most widowed older adults cope reasonably well with the loss of their partner.
B) Most widowed older adults experience a least one or two years of severe health problems, followed by a rebound thereafter.
C) Most windowed older adults experience severe depression after the death of a spouse.
D) Most widowed older adults remarry within 12 to 24 months after the death of their partner.

Question 70

Which statement about marriage is true?

A) Marriage helps people deal more effectively with disabilities
B) Over time, division of labor becomes more gender stereotyped
C) Older married women are much happier about the marriage than their male partners
D) Marital conflict increases significantly in old age

Question 71

Herb is 73 years old. His family and friends all of a sudden feel uncomfortable around him. Because he feels very uncomfortable going to a restaurant by himself, he often stays at home alone. What has most likely happened to Herb?

A) his wife recently died
B) he is experiencing generativity
C) he just retired
D) he has recently lost his social convoy

Question 72

For most people, ________ is one of the most traumatic experiences they will ever have.

A) learning that they have a terminal disease
B) the death of a family pet
C) the death of a spouse
D) the death of a parent

Question 73

Which of the following factors is the biggest predictor of the likelihood that a spouse who is caring for their sick partner will develop depression symptoms?

A) marital satisfaction
B) whether the partner's illness is or is not progressive
C) whether the partner's illness is psychological or physical in nature
D) the nature and severity of the partner's symptoms

Question 74

Max and Sara are planning the bat mitzvah of their daughter. While they are putting together a list of guests to invite, they come to Max's older uncle, Meyer. "Gee, I don't know if we should invite him," Max says. "He's been so lonely lately, and he doesn't seem to want to do anything by himself. I wouldn't want to make him feel bad about not coming!" Which of the following events has Meyer recently experienced?

A) He lost his job.
B) His wife died.
C) His lost his home to foreclosure.
D) He was diagnosed with a moderately serious illness.

Question 75

________ health refers to an individual's ability to perform the various types of activities of daily living without assistance.

A) Functional
B) Useful
C) Meaningful
D) Instrumental

Question 76

Which of the following would be considered an activity of daily living?

A) paying one's bills
B) taking a shower or bath
C) going grocery shopping
D) going to lunch or dinner with friends

Question 77

Why is it that women often experience more financial struggles after losing their spouse than men do?

A) Because burial and funeral costs are approximately twice as much for a deceased man as a deceased woman.
B) Because survivor's benefits are usually equal to only half of their husband's pension.
C) Because the costs of medical care for a man as he dies are usually three to four times as much as the costs for a woman.
D) Because life insurance claims take an average of 12 and 24 months to pay for a deceased man, while they only take 3 to 4 months to pay for a deceased woman.

Question 78

Marcia is caring for her husband, Andrew, who suffers from advanced Alzheimer's disease. She has accepted her role as Andrew's caretaker willingly and without hesitation. How is Marcia likely to rate her satisfaction with her marriage?

A) She is likely to report that her level of marital satisfaction has not changed since her husband became ill.
B) She is likely to report very high marital satisfaction, as caring for her husband makes her feel like she is fulfilling her vow to love "in sickness and in health."
C) She is likely to report that her marriage provides her with no satisfaction at all, since she only gives and no longer receives.
D) She is likely to report lower marital satisfaction as a result of the strain of being her husband's caretaker.

Question 79

What distinguishes an activity of daily living (ADL) from an instrumental activity of daily living (IADL)?

A) ADLs are easier than IADLs.
B) ADLs require more planning than IADLs.
C) IADLs require some formal education and expertise, while ADLs do not.
D) IADLs require intellectual competence and planning, while ADLs do not.

Question 80

Dmitri lost his wife of 30 years just last year. Emunah lost her husband of 33 years two years ago. Recently, Dmitri and Emunah have started a romantic relationship, though they have chosen to maintain separate living arrangements. Which of the following BEST describes their situation?

A) being roommates
B) living alone together
C) "friends with benefits"
D) cohabitation