Deck 15: Middle Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development

Question 1

As of 2009, the average life expectancy of U.S. men and women who had reached 65 was in their:

A) late 60s
B) 70s
C) 80s
D) 90s

Answer 1

80s

Question 2

Charlene just celebrated her 57^th birthday. She says that she feels like she is in her mid 30s. If she is like most middle-aged people, what might we conclude about Charlene's physical well-being?

A) She probably is as healthy as she was in her mid 30s since bodily function is stable in middle age.
B) She is probably experiencing imperceptible sensory and physical changes.
C) She is most likely in better health now than she was in her mid 30s due to advances in medical technology.
D) None of these is true.

Answer 2

She is probably experiencing imperceptible sensory and physical changes.

Question 3

Forty-eight-year-old Carlos has noticed that he tires easily and often get headaches when doing computer work. He also needs to hold material with fine print at an arm's length to read it. Most likely Carlos is experiencing:

A) presbyopia
B) glaucoma
C) floater
D) cataracts

Answer 3

presbyopia

Question 4

Amanda has just had an eye exam and the optometrist explained that fluid buildup in the eye is causing pressure that can damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness if left untreated. Amanda probably has:

A) cataracts
B) glaucoma
C) floaters
D) retinitis

Question 5

Rhonda is 67 years old. Her doctor told her that she has a "clouding of the lens" of her eyes and should have surgery to correct it. Rhonda is most probably suffering from

A) cataracts
B) glaucoma
C) floaters
D) retinitis

Question 6

When the layers of the retina start thinning and the tiny blood vessels of the eye rupture, it leads to a condition in which central vision becomes faded, distorted, or blurred. It is the leading cause of late-onset visual impairment and legal blindness in people over the age of 50. This disorder is called:

A) floaters
B) glaucoma
C) macular degeneration
D) cataracts

Question 7

At his last physical exam Mack had an audiology test. This test measures changes in:

A) vision
B) hearing
C) muscle strength
D) bone density

Question 8

Some of the common causes of hearing loss include:

A) cochlear damage due to prolonged exposure to loud noise
B) listening to music at high volumes
C) job-related noise levels
D) all of these

Question 9

Which of the following statements is true about the senses of taste and smell?

A) Women have more taste buds and a better sense of taste than men.
B) The sense of smell remains intact throughout the lifespan.
C) Taste buds are replaced at a more rapid rate from the age of 40 onward.
D) The sense of smell has no impact on how foods taste.

Question 10

During midlife, the gums of the teeth begin to recede, which for some leads to a condition called:

A) gingivitis
B) periodontal disease
C) halitosis
D) dental device disease

Question 11

Regina and Joanne are in their mid 40s. They are discussing the signs of aging that are affecting their appearance. What in particular are they likely to be discussing?

A) skin that is drier, thinner, and less elastic
B) skin that is sagging and wrinkled on the face and at the joints
C) dark patches of skin on the face and hands
D) all of these

Question 12

A tumor of the skin (which may bleed, darken in color, or itch) that can spread quickly to other body parts is called:

A) dermatological sarcoma
B) basal-cell carcinoma
C) melanoma
D) dermatological lymphoma

Question 13

In general, compared to women, men have better-looking skin as they age because:

A) They do not moisturize their skin as women do.
B) They do not wear make-up the way that women do.
C) Their skin tends to be thicker than women's skin.
D) They slough off dead skin cells when they shave.

Question 14

Arnold is concerned about the muscle-to-fat ratio of his body. This is known as:

A) muscular factor
B) fat ratio index
C) body composition
D) lean to fat body mass

Question 15

A person's weight is a function of:

A) heredity
B) food intake
C) activity level
D) all of these

Question 16

The normal aging process that leaves bones less supple, less dense, and more brittle is called:

A) osteodegeneration
B) osteoporosis
C) osteoarthritis
D) dedensification

Question 17

Ron and Delores are both 35 years old, but tests show that Delores has lost bone mass while Ron has not. This is because:

A) men have more bone mass than women
B) men retain more calcium
C) women lose bone mass more slowly as they age
D) men are more muscular

Question 18

Nancy's doctor has recommended several preventive measures against osteoporosis. What are they?

A) perform weight-bearing exercises
B) avoid cigarettes
C) avoid excessive alcohol consumption
D) all of these

Question 19

An inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function of the joints is called:

A) rheumatoid arthritis
B) arteriosclerosis
C) osteoarthritis
D) calcitonin

Question 20

Wendy is 45 years old. She had always had regular periods, but over the past year she has not had a period for several months. She then had a period and another after two months. Wendy is most likely experiencing:

A) postmenopause
B) menopause
C) perimenopause
D) hormone replacement therapy

Question 21

The process of changes in the ovaries and in the various hormonal processes that takes place over two to four years prior to complete cessation of menstruation is called:

A) climacteric
B) menopause
C) perimenopause
D) ovarian dysfunction

Question 22

Wally has just been told that he has an enlargement of the walnut-sized gland at the base of his urethra. This gland is called the:

A) epididymis
B) scrotum
C) prostate
D) pituitary

Question 23

Who among the following groups should be particularly aware of prostrate cancer risks?

A) black men
B) men who smoke
C) men over 50 years
D) all of these

Question 24

Which of the following statements is true about prostate cancer?

A) It is the leading cause of cancer in men.
B) In general, most prostate cancers are fast growing.
C) Japanese men have the highest rates of prostate cancer.
D) Prostate cancer is most prevalent in men under 50 years of age.

Question 25

According to a study cited in your textbook, what percent of men over the age of 50 experience potency problems?

A) 10 percent
B) 20 percent
C) 35 percent
D) 50 percent

Question 26

Richard and Beth are the same age and have each recently had a heart attack. Richard is single, has no friends, and is not in contact with his family. Beth has a large extended family with whom she is very close, in addition to several good friends and many acquaintances. Who is more likely to survive after the heart attack?

A) Both Richard and Beth are equally likely to survive.
B) Richard, because he is a male.
C) Beth, because she has family and friends' support.
D) Richard, since he has fewer people to worry about.

Question 27

Which of the following statements is true regarding sleep?

A) As people reach middle age and beyond they need less sleep.
B) The average working person gets more than enough sleep per night.
C) Biochemical changes have no effect on a person's sleep patterns.
D) Too little protein in one's diet can prevent sleep for a long time.

Question 28

Marcus is obese and has diabetes and high blood pressure. He is also a smoker. Due to his health status and lifestyle he is more at risk for:

A) cardiovascular disease
B) male menopause
C) osteoporosis
D) none of these

Question 29

Amina goes to the doctor for a yearly physical exam. The doctor takes her blood pressure and tells her it is 120 over 80. The top number is ___________ and the bottom number is ____________.

A) systolic; diastolic
B) diastolic; systolic
C) diametric; systolic
D) diametric; systemic

Question 30

The white, waxy fat that occurs naturally in the body and is used to build the cell walls and to make certain hormones is called:

A) sebum
B) adipose fat
C) cholesterol
D) paraffin

Question 31

Amanda would like to improve her cholesterol health. It would be best if she could:

A) lower the HDL levels and raise the LDL levels
B) keep HDL and LDL levels the same
C) raise the HDL levels and lower the LDL levels
D) lower both HDL and LDL levels

Question 32

According to your textbook, the leading cause of death from cancer for women in the U.S. is:

A) colon cancer
B) lung cancer
C) breast cancer
D) skin cancer

Question 33

Factors predisposing a person to developing cancer include:

A) smoking
B) longevity
C) gender and race
D) all of these

Question 34

When blood circulation to the brain fails, it leads to:

A) cardiovascular disease
B) stroke
C) Parkinson's disease
D) seizure

Question 35

Herbert is 65 years old. He completes a crossword puzzle every day. He engages in his favorite hobby, carving, and is an avid reader. These activities are likely to:

A) cause him confusion
B) slow brain cell loss
C) cause no effect
D) prevent cancer

Question 36

Trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity or stiffness of limbs and trunk; slowness of movement; postural instability or impaired balance and coordination are symptoms most closely associated with:

A) Alzheimer's disease
B) stroke
C) cardiovascular disease
D) Parkinson's disease

Question 37

Ivan and Marianne are in their 70s and married. The research on human sexuality conducted by Masters and Johnson would indicate that Ivan and Marianne:

A) will probably have a marriage of companionship devoid of sexual intercourse.
B) will have a sex life much like they enjoyed as young adults.
C) will have sex which has less physical energy, yet is still fulfilling.
D) should not engage in sex for health reasons.

Question 38

In general, which of the following is true concerning the sexuality of menopausal women?

A) Menopause has a detrimental effect on female sexuality.
B) After menopause, women should refrain from sexual activity for health reasons.
C) Menopausal women can achieve orgasm and have a fulfilling sex life.
D) None of these is true.

Question 39

Which of the following statements is true?

A) Studies report infidelity occurring in 20 to 25% of marriages.
B) About 50 percent of married men and 50 percent of married women say they have been unfaithful.
C) More women than men have admitted to being unfaithful.
D) A majority of both men and women have had only one sex partner since the age of 18.

Question 40

According to the research cited in your textbook, which of the following is true?

A) Adults 50 and older make up 15 percent of new HIV/AIDS cases.
B) AIDS is rising faster in people under age 40 than in middle-aged and older people.
C) Rates of AIDS infection do not vary among racial groups.
D) AIDS does not affect postmenopausal women.

Question 41

Which of the following are risk factors for contracting HIV?

A) a history of sexual abuse
B) use of intravenous drugs
C) paying money for shelter
D) all of these

Question 42

A diagnosis of HIV/AIDS may be missed in aging adults because:

A) they do not know what the symptoms are
B) early symptoms are similar to normal aging
C) partners of menopausal women use condoms
D) all of these

Question 43

Most of the research on age-related cognitive difference involves the concurrent administration of intelligence tests to a large group of individuals of different ages in order to compare their scores. These studies are:

A) experimental studies
B) cross-sectional studies
C) longitudinal studies
D) participant observation studies

Question 44

When longitudinal studies were used to understand cognitive functioning, it was found that:

A) Global IQ tends to rise until the mid-50s and then gradually declines.
B) Global IQ tends to rise until the mid-30s and then declines sharply.
C) Global IQ remains constant throughout the entire lifespan.
D) Global IQ rises sharply until the mid-20s and then stabilizes.

Question 45

How is crystallized intelligence acquired?

A) in the course of social experience
B) through genetically preset maturation
C) through changes in crystal structures in the brain
D) solely through formal education

Question 46

The type of intelligence that is tested by measuring an individual's facility in reasoning by means of block designs, picture arrangements, mazes, and letter series is called

A) crystallized intelligence
B) fluid intelligence
C) introverted intelligence
D) global intelligence

Question 47

Athletes such as Cal Ripken, Lance Armstrong, and Michael Jordan are exceptions to which general rule regarding expert performance?

A) Most people can maintain peak athletic performance only up until about age 30.
B) Most people maintain athletic performance levels they reached in adolescence.
C) Peak athletic performance in older athletes is more likely among women than men.
D) none of these

Question 48

Which of the following reveals the most marked age-related decline?

A) mental abilities
B) perceptual-motor performance
C) emotional coping
D) tolerance for pain

Question 49

Five-year-old Marco and fifty-year-old Vernon are both learning to speak Spanish as a second language. Who is more likely to learn the language more easily?

A) Marco
B) Vernon
C) They are both equally likely to learn a language easily.
D) It has not been determined.

Question 50

An organized approach to analyzing and making sense of the world that attempts to describe the fundamental process of change and the dynamic relationship through which the change occurs is called:

A) divergent thinking
B) crystallized intelligence
C) fluid intelligence
D) dialectical thinking

Question 51

_____________ thinking applies logic and reasoning in order to arrive at a single correct answer to a problem while ___________ thinking is more open-ended, seeking multiple solutions and creative answers to problems.

A) Convergent; divergent
B) Divergent; convergent
C) Convergent; crystallized
D) Dialectical; convergent

Question 52

Moral exemplars are people who:

A) have a sustained commitment to moral ideals that include respect for humanity
B) exhibit consistency between ideals and actions
C) are an inspirational force for others to become involved in moral work
D) all of these

Question 53

Describe some of the sensory changes that occur during midlife.

Question 54

What is the climacteric and what processes does the body go through during this stage?

Question 55

What is hypertension? Who is at risk for it and how can it be prevented or controlled?