Deck 18: Social and Personality Development in Late Adulthood

Question 1

According to disengagement theory, which of the following is the tendency of people to interact with fewer and fewer people and fill fewer and fewer roles?

A) Acceptance of death
B) Shrinkage of life space
C) Isolation
D) Desocialization

Answer 1

Shrinkage of life space

Question 2

Miss Jennifer is 92. She has become increasing solitary, preferring her "quiet time" to the company of others. She no longer gets out much, and although she does not really seem depressed, her level of involvement with the world has diminished to almost nothing. Miss Jennifer's lifestyle is consistent with the aspect of disengagement theory known as

A) acceptance of these changes.
B) inactivity and rebellion.
C) discontinuity.
D) antisocial personality.

Answer 2

acceptance of these changes.

Question 3

Which of the following best summarizes the paradigm of successful aging proposed by Rowe and Kahn?

A) The healthiest response to old age is to maintain the greatest possible level of activity and involvement in the greatest number of roles.
B) An aging adult is not governed by the expectations of others that she fulfill certain roles.
C) Religious coping and the use of religious belief and practice are effective means of adapting to aging.
D) Successful aging integrates components of physical, cognitive, and social health that are influenced by earlier behaviors and decisions.

Answer 3

Successful aging integrates components of physical, cognitive, and social health that are influenced by earlier behaviors and decisions.

Question 4

Which of the following is the BEST example of Erikson's despair?

A) When Mr. Trump offers advice to his family, he often says, "Don't make the same mistakes I did. I wish I could live my life over."
B) Mr. and Mrs. Albertson are the unofficial grandparents of many children in their neighborhood, and their home is always open to any child who needs a hot meal or a caring word.
C) Mrs. Smith and Mr. White had both been widowed for many years and were eager for the love and companionship they could offer each other in their last years.
D) Mrs. Brown tells her family that she will die happy with the world because she has lived a good life and has few regrets.

Question 5

At 83 years old, Claudette happily recalls life when she was younger. She also enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and their children. According to Erikson, what has Claudette achieved?

A) Autonomy
B) Closure
C) Ego integrity
D) Life competency

Question 6

Gender roles tend to be least rigid in old age. This is reflective of which of the following aspects of disengagement theory?

A) Acceptance of change
B) Continuity
C) Increased individuality
D) Shrinkage of lifespace

Question 7

Which of the following best describes ego integrity?

A) Serving as a steward for the heritage of the next generation
B) Being able to incorporate oneself into the identity of another person without fear of losing oneself
C) Being honest about the good and bad aspects of life.
D) Coming to terms with the life one has lived and accepting the inevitability of death

Question 8

When you contact a retired neighbor to ask if she is interested in participating in a charity fund-raiser, she tells you that she is no longer interested in activities such as this, and she is content to do as little as possible since she retired. Your neighbor's perspective is most consistent with which of the following views on aging?

A) Adaptation
B) Discontinuity theory
C) Disengagement
D) Social reticence

Question 9

Phyllis' philosophy drives her children crazy when they go out in public together. She says, "I'm old and I can do what I want." Phyllis' lack of respect for conventional rules or expectations is consistent with the aspect of disengagement theory known as which of the following?

A) Asocial thinking
B) Discontinuity
C) Increased individuality
D) Disassociation

Question 10

According to research in the United States and Japan, which factor might help individuals to recover from a health crisis such as a stroke or a fracture?

A) A combative, argumentative spirit
B) Viewing health care professionals as adversaries to be beaten
C) Adopting recovery goals proposed by rehabilitation specialists
D) Steadfast optimism and a positive attitude

Question 11

Which of the following is correct regarding the role of reminiscence in human development?

A) The most important function of reminiscence is preparation for death.
B) Young adults reminisce less often than middle-aged or older adults.
C) Young adults use reminiscence for problem-solving.
D) Structured reminiscence decreases life satisfaction.

Question 12

When you visit a former co-worker who recently retired, you are astonished at his list of activities and projects, and he says, "Staying busy keeps me young!" Your former co-worker's philosophy is most consistent with which of the following perspectives on aging?

A) Activity theory
B) Adaptation theory
C) Ego integrity
D) Delimited senescence theory

Question 13

Which of the following is an aspect of disengagement theory?

A) shrinkage of life space.
B) increased responsibility.
C) decreased individuality.
D) passive extrication from roles.

Question 14

What is the term used by gerontologists to describe maintaining one's physical health, mental abilities, social competence and general satisfaction with life?

A) Elderpeace
B) Aging gracefully
C) Nonresistant aging
D) Successful aging

Question 15

According to research, what is the most common effect of activity upon later life?

A) Fatigue and depression from overwhelming roles and responsibilities
B) Increased mortality because the effects of disabling conditions such as diabetes may be magnified
C) More rewarding relationships with members of the social support network
D) Greater life satisfaction and morale

Question 16

In 2006, how long had the world's longest-married couple been together?

A) 65 years
B) 75 years
C) 85 years
D) 95 years

Question 17

What, according to activity theory, could older adults do to have the most psychologically and physically healthy response to old age?

A) Eliminate excessively demanding roles and save their energy for truly important roles
B) Maintain the highest possible activity level and the largest possible number of roles
C) Increase their physical activity, preferably through aerobic and weight-bearing exercise
D) Reduce their activity and involvement in most of their social roles

Question 18

As older adults reminisce about their life, which of the following describes the judgments they make about their past behavior?

A) Past-life assessment
B) Life review
C) Integrity assessment
D) Life analysis

Question 19

How did Erikson characterize the developmental task of late adulthood?

A) Industry versus inferiority
B) Generativity versus stagnation
C) Ego integrity versus despair
D) Intimacy versus isolation

Question 20

Frank worked as a professional cabinet maker most of his adult life. He very much enjoyed this work, but is now somewhat limited in his physical ability to handle large pieces of carpentry. Frank currently builds smaller pieces of furniture such as chairs and coffee tables. Which of the following explains Frank's behavior?

A) Disengagement theory
B) Acceptance of changes
C) Shrinkage of life space
D) Continuity theory

Question 21

Which of the following is for elderly adults who need more assistance than is available at an independent living community, but are not in need of constant supervision?

A) Nursing home care
B) Assisted living
C) Nursing center care
D) Outpatient care

Question 22

An independent living community is one in which all residents are

A) over a certain age.
B) single, widowed or divorced.
C) in need of supervision.
D) members of the same social or religious group.

Question 23

Which of the following is unlikely to be an important factor to consider when an aging adult must decide whether or not to live with an adult child?

A) Social network access
B) General health, such as need for assistance with ADLs
C) Income level and requirements
D) The characteristics of the adult child with whom the individual will live

Question 24

Which of the following describes a common belief in Asian cultures which holds that children have the responsibility to care for their aging parents?

A) Familial cohesion
B) Filial piety
C) Collectivism
D) Paternal devotion

Question 25

Which component of social support seems to be most meaningful to elderly adults?

A) Knowing that others can be depended upon to help when their assistance is needed
B) The opportunity to reciprocate and give support as well as receive it
C) The frequency of social contacts with friends, family, and community members
D) Instrumental support, such as help with chores, rather than emotional support

Question 26

What is the term used for living in a noninstitutional environment to which appropriate modifications have been made for the elderly individual?

A) Aging in place
B) Modified aging
C) Homebound aging
D) Home health maintenance

Question 27

Which of the following is one of the components of successful aging outlined in your text?

A) Rehabilitation
B) Stasis
C) Coping with disappointment
D) Mental activity

Question 28

Bertie is pretty spry and she likes her independence, which is considerable for a 94-year-old. Still, she is not able to cook for herself anymore and has some difficulty with certain activities of daily living. Miss Bertie might be a good candidate for living in which of the following?

A) A home-health facility
B) A nursing home
C) A skilled nursing center
D) An assisted living facility

Question 29

Which of the following describes the component of successful aging that involves a willingness to learn new things?

A) Cognitive adventurousness
B) Social engagement
C) Cognitive dissonance
D) Acceptance of changes

Question 30

Which of the following is the tendency to turn to religious beliefs and institutions for support in times of difficulty?

A) Religiosity
B) Religious coping
C) Tribulatory spirituality
D) Superstitious religiosity

Question 31

Which of the following is the best definition of spirituality?

A) A general tendency to focus on aspects of life which transcend one's physical existence
B) Belonging to a mainstream religious group
C) The adherence to a strictly defined set of beliefs
D) A tendency to focus on the philosophical aspects of one's physical existence

Question 32

Which of the following is a true statement?

A) Religious coping mechanisms are only successful if they are instituted in the young adult years.
B) Affiliation with a religious community is linked to high reported levels of well-being among white Americans, but not among other racial groups.
C) African Americans suffering from cancer are less likely to be depressed if they are involved in a religious community.
D) Among different racial groups, Hispanic Americans tend to have the highest rates of religious coping skills.

Question 33

Mrs. Barnes is a 74-year-old healthy widow who has a good retirement pension. She most likely lives

A) alone.
B) in a nursing home or other form of institutional care.
C) with a sibling.
D) with a son, daughter, or other family member.

Question 34

Which of the following is a characteristic that is known to predict high life satisfaction among older adults?

A) Unfavorable comparisons to others of the same age
B) An extroverted personality
C) Self-ratings of health
D) Perceptions that important aspects of life, such as income or social support, are inadequate

Question 35

Which of the following is correct regarding the nature of marital status and living arrangements in late adulthood in the United States?

A) The normal expectation for a woman is that she will eventually be without an intimate partner or spouse.
B) Older men are more likely to live alone than older women.
C) In the United States, living alone is the least common and the least preferred living arrangement among unmarried elders.
D) Most elders with mild to moderate disability or health problems live with relatives.

Question 36

Which of the following individuals is more likely to turn to religion for comfort in times of stress?

A) Mai Ling, an Asian American woman who is 76 years old
B) Della Reed, an African American grandmother who is 83 years old
C) Michael Smith, a Caucasian American CEO who is 63 years old
D) Albert DeNida, a 72 year old Italian-American who recently emigrated to the United States

Question 37

Which of the following is an effect of volunteerism upon older adults?

A) increased mortality rate.
B) increased extroversion and decreased introversion in personality.
C) improved life satisfaction.
D) decreased health.

Question 38

Mr. Jones is a healthy 75-year-old widower who lives independently on his comfortable pension. What factor is most likely to cause a change in his independent living status?

A) Being encouraged by his son to join his son's household and spend more time with his grandchildren
B) Development of a mild or moderate disability or health problems such as diabetes
C) Development of a significant health problem
D) A decrease in his pension income and financial circumstances

Question 39

Mahmoud's grandparents have him to help them buy a computer and teach them how to use the internet. Which of the following terms describes Mahmoud's grandparents' readiness to learn something new?

A) Social engagement
B) Cognitive adventurousness
C) Geriatric thymia
D) Super cognition

Question 40

Nick and Kathy love to play golf and swim. They recently moved to an apartment complex in Florida where everyone is about their age or perhaps a little older. They live autonomously but share common interests with their many neighbors and enjoy socializing on an almost daily basis. Nick and Kathy are probably living in which of the following?

A) A skilled nursing facility
B) An assisted living center
C) A CCRC
D) An independent living community

Question 41

Which of the following is unlikely to be a risk factor associated with elder abuse?

A) Mental illness or alcoholism in the abuser
B) Financial dependency of the abuser on the victim
C) Significant financial resources controlled by the abuser
D) Social isolation

Question 42

Why are sibling relationships likely to become more important in late adulthood?

A) Siblings typically provide practical assistance to each other, such as help with activities of daily living.
B) Most older adults expect to live with siblings when health problems or disabilities, such as arthritis or diabetes, occur.
C) Siblings share reminiscences and companionship and provide each other emotional support.
D) In late adulthood, relationships with siblings are typically less stressful and have less conflict than relationships with adult children or spouses.

Question 43

Which of the following is an accurate description of partner relationships in later life?

A) According to research, marital satisfaction is lower in the late adult years than when children are still at home.
B) Older adult couples typically are not sexually active.
C) Older couples report lower levels of conflict in their relationships than do middle-aged couples.
D) Married older adults who spend less time with their spouses report high levels of happiness.

Question 44

What important legislative action was taken in the 1980s regarding retirement?

A) The mandatory age of retirement was raised.
B) The practice of mandatory retirement was made illegal.
C) The mandatory age of retirement was lowered.
D) The practice of mandatory retirement for women was made illegal and the mandatory age of retirement for men was raised.

Question 45

Compared to the relationship between an older adult and her adult children, the relationship between an older adult and her friends is more likely to

A) feature shared activities.
B) provide opportunities for fun and companionship.
C) be reciprocal or equitable.
D) include assistance with daily tasks such as shopping or housework.

Question 46

Which of the following offers a continuum of care ranging from independent living to skilled nursing care?

A) Continuing-care retirement communities
B) Dependent living facilities
C) Assisted living centers
D) Home-health facilities

Question 47

Which of the following best summarizes the research findings regarding older adults' relationships with their children?

A) Healthy relationships with their children contribute to happiness and well-being, but are not necessary for it.
B) When relationships with children are warm and caring, the older adult is more likely to be healthy and happy.
C) Relationships with adult children are very important in collectivist cultures, but not in individualistic cultures.
D) Most older adults rely more on their adult children for help and support than anyone else.

Question 48

Which of the following is true regarding the positive effects of marriage on physical and psychological functioning of older adults?

A) They exist for men, but there are no benefits for older women.
B) Those that were seen in early and middle adulthood have largely disappeared by late adulthood.
C) They are greater for women than for men.
D) They occur among both women and men, but are generally greater for men than women.

Question 49

Which statement most accurately describes the relationships of older adults and their children?

A) Very few adults over age 65 have regular contact or spend time with their children.
B) Older adults who need aid or assistance that cannot be provided by a spouse typically rely on friends, neighbors, and community agencies for the services they need.
C) Most contacts between older adults and their children occur in order to fulfill obligations and a sense of duty.
D) Good relationships and regular contact between older adults and their children are not essential for happiness or life satisfaction in old age.

Question 50

Which of the following is likely to retire earliest?

A) An individual who still has young children at home
B) An individual who will rely solely on Social Security for support during retirement
C) An individual in good health
D) An individual in poor health

Question 51

Which of the following represents a common bias found in the research regarding social networks and older adults?

A) The research has focused mostly on women.
B) The research has focused mostly on men.
C) The research has focused more on the quality and quantity of social networks than on the health benefits.
D) The research tends to focus more on the frequency of contact than the quality of the relationships.

Question 52

Which of the following is the normal expectation for a woman in late adulthood?

A) That she will live with her spouse or intimate partner until she dies
B) That she will live with her spouse until she begins to experience health problems, at which time she will move in with a child or family member
C) That she will live with her spouse until she has difficulty performing activities of daily living, at which time she will move to a nursing home
D) That she will live alone, even if she experiences health problems or mild to moderate disability

Question 53

According to current estimates, approximately what percentage of U.S. elders are physically abused?

A) Between 2% and 10%
B) Between 12% and 20%
C) Between 22% and 30%
D) Between 32% and 40%

Question 54

About 65% of the elderly in the United States live ________ of at least one of their children.

A) within 50 miles
B) within about an hour
C) within walking distance
D) within 15 minutes

Question 55

Which of the following is true regarding racial differences in the social networks of older adults?

A) Compared to white Americans, older African Americans tend to have less warm relationships with their siblings and lower rates of co-residence with their children.
B) Fictive kin may be an important source of emotional support for elders of all ethnic groups.
C) Older white Americans have more extensive social networks than any ethnic group in the United States.
D) In African American groups, friends rarely acquire the status of a close sibling or other relative.

Question 56

Professor Smith is 70 years old. She is considering retirement, but has decided instead to move to Hawaii and teach one on-line class per semester. This is an example of which of the following?

A) Social retirement
B) Practical retirement
C) A bridge job
D) A transitional job

Question 57

Which of the following is true regarding elder abuse in the United States?

A) Abuse by spouses is half as likely as abuse by children.
B) Physical abuse is most least to be directed at elders who have some type of dementia.
C) Abuse of elders is a common family interaction pattern in the United States.
D) Financial dependency of the abuser on the victim is a risk factor for abuse.

Question 58

Which of the following is another name for a nursing home?

A) Assisted living center
B) Skilled nursing facility
C) ADL assistance living
D) Home-health center

Question 59

Which of the following represents the normal expectation for a man in late adulthood?

A) That he will live an average of five to ten years as a widower
B) That he will live alone until he experiences health problems that will cause him to enter institutional care
C) That he will live with a spouse or intimate partner until he dies
D) That he will live alone until he has difficulty performing activities of daily living, at which time he will live with family members

Question 60

Which of the following individuals is more likely to remarry after the death of a spouse?

A) Robert, age 69, who has a modest retirement income
B) Elizabeth, age 72, who has a comfortable retirement pension
C) Ruth, age 70, who is wealthy and has no children
D) Laura, age 65, who owns her own home

Question 61

What effect is retirement likely to have on health?

A) Little or no effect
B) It is likely to effect men but not women.
C) The health of men declines rapidly after retirement.
D) The health of women is more likely to be affected by retirement.

Question 62

Which of the following is the best example of a kinship move after retirement, as described by Charles Longino?

A) When Mr. and Mrs. Polanski retired, they wanted year-round opportunities to hike and bird-watch, so they moved to a retirement community in Arizona.
B) After Mr. and Mrs. Garcia retired, they assumed custody of their grandchildren and moved to a larger house.
C) When Mrs. Short became disabled by arthritis and could no longer live independently in her home, she decided to move into an apartment in the town where her daughter lived.
D) After Mr. Brown was released from the hospital, he entered a nursing home where he was cared for until he died.

Question 63

Which of the following is suggested by your text as perhaps the greatest obstacle to employment for older adults?

A) Employers' perceptions about older workers' ability to learn new job skills
B) Employers' desire to hire senior workers for minimum wage
C) Older workers' inability to work a complete 8 hour shift
D) Older workers' inflexibility with younger co-workers

Question 64

Which of the following is most likely to express retirement satisfaction?

A) Jaque, who has worked on-and-off during his adult years
B) Herrmann, who has worked continuously throughout his adult life
C) Harriett, who worked part-time after her children were grown
D) Wilma, who had to work full-time because she was a single mother

Question 65

Volunteerism is defined as performance of unpaid work for ________ motives.

Question 66

Which of the following describes a move away from family that is aimed at benefiting from a particular feature of the location?

A) Recreational move
B) Compensatory move
C) Amenity move
D) Institutional migration

Question 67

Who is likely to retire latest?

A) An individual whose work is challenging and interesting
B) An individual who has poor health
C) An individual whose retirement will be supported by an adequate pension and Social Security
D) A working class individual who considers his Social Security benefits to be adequate for retirement

Question 68

Julian is 94 years old; he happily recalls life when he was younger. He also enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and their children. According to Erikson, Julian has achieved ________.

Question 69

When Aunt Ruth began to lose her eyesight, she could no longer live alone. She was invited to move in with her niece Anne. Ruth's move would be considered to be which of the following?

A) Assisted living
B) Continuous
C) Amenity-oriented
D) Compensatory

Question 70

The idea that it is normal for older adults to scale down their social lives is the basis of ________ theory.

Question 71

Louise and Woodrow moved to a retirement community on a lake because they like to fish and ski. According to Longino, their move could be considered to be which of the following?

A) Amenity move
B) Convenience move
C) Activity-related move
D) Compensatory move

Question 72

According to disengagement theory, ________ is the tendency of people to interact with fewer and fewer people and fill fewer and fewer roles.

Question 73

What is the largest source of income for most elderly adults in the United States?

A) Income from savings or other assets
B) Public assistance
C) Pension funds
D) Social Security

Question 74

Research suggests that those who respond most poorly to retirement are those who

A) made an amenity move within a year of retiring.
B) retired from satisfying jobs.
C) retired while a spouse was still working.
D) had the least control over the process.

Question 75

Statistically, which of the following is most likely to be living in poverty as an older adult?

A) Asian women
B) Hispanic American women
C) African American women
D) Native American women

Question 76

Which of the following is a contributing factor to declining poverty rates among the elderly in the United States?

A) Cost-of-living increases in Social Security
B) Fewer elderly are having to live in assisted living environments
C) Fewer savings and fewer retirement benefits
D) Fewer elderly people are high school and college graduates

Question 77

Older adults who rate their religious beliefs as highly important to them are more likely than others to think that their lives have ________.

Question 78

How are older adults typically evaluated by management in the work place?

A) As being harder to train than younger employees
B) As being more reliable than younger employees
C) As being less cognitively skilled than younger employees
D) As being more reliable, but less valuable than younger employees

Question 79

Which of the following is unlikely to be a factor that influences an individual's decision to retire?

A) Personality traits
B) Financial incentives to retire
C) Financial resources during retirement
D) Health

Question 80

Which of the following is an important factor in determining when a woman will retire?

A) Whether or not her spouse has retired
B) Pressure from her children to retire
C) The possibility of higher earnings that will augment her retirement income
D) The likelihood that her social security income will decrease if she keeps working