Deck 14: Middle Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development

Question 1

According to the text, midlife crises are more likely to occur among:

A) very poor men, since they must continue to work for the longest period of the lifespan
B) very poor women, since they have always worked to support their families
C) middle-income men and women, since they have a realistic view of their lives
D) affluent men and women, since they can delude themselves about the burdens of life

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Since Ed has been a tax attorney for over 25 years, he is now able to analyze clients' problems and draw conclusions from experience-based information and knowledge. Although he does not solve problems as quickly as he did when he was younger, his solutions are more complex and therefore better. The fact that his solutions are more complex best illustrates which of the following concepts?

A) crystallized intelligence
B) fluid intelligence
C) cognitive mechanics
D) inductive reasoning

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Tyrone has gone through many stress-producing events lately. According to the Stress Scale printed in the text, which of the following events in Tyrone's life probably produced the most stress?

A) death of his wife
B) marriage to his long-time girlfriend
C) retirement from his job
D) having his youngest child leave home

Answer 3

A

Question 4

According to the text, adults age 55-64 are LESS likely to die from which of the following conditions than are adults age 45-54?

A) cancer
B) heart disease
C) respiratory diseases
D) accidents, suicides, and homicides

Question 5

Recently, Jim has begun to focus on his feeling that he has accomplished the career goals he set for himself and he now does not know what to do with his life. He feels frustrated and confused, and he wonders if the excitement in his life is mostly behind him. According to Levinson, Jim is experiencing:

A) a command moment
B) transitional moment
C) a fluid moment
D) a midlife crisis

Question 6

In 1998 in the U. S., about what percentage of women between the ages of 45 and 64 were taking some form of hormone replacement therapy?

A) 10%
B) 33%
C) 54%
D) 78%

Question 7

If you were to conduct a survey of 100 women who were in the midst of menopause, you should expect that about ____ would report they felt relief about the cessation of their menstrual cycle.

A) 99%
B) 75%
C) 50%
D) 15%

Question 8

Statistically speaking, which of the following people would be MOST likely to be obese:

A) Alan, who is 20 years old
B) Luke, who is 34 years old
C) Jeremy, who is 50 years old
D) Mike, who is 60 years old
Applied questions:

Question 9

According to the text, studies show that about ______ of men over the age of 40 will experience some erectile dysfunction.

A) 5%
B) 15%
C) 25%
D) 50%

Question 10

In Levinson's later work, he studied the way in which women move through middle adulthood. According to this research, Levinson concluded that women:

A) very seldom experience a midlife crisis
B) do experience midlife crises, but at much earlier ages than men
C) do experience midlife crises, but at much later ages than men
D) experience midlife crises in ways very similar to men

Question 11

Statistically speaking, which of the following people would most likely report the LOWEST level of sexual satisfaction?

A) Linda, who is 30 years old
B) Laurie, who is 50 years old
C) Bob, who is 30 years old
D) Peter, who is 50 years old

Question 12

The life expectancy today for individuals who have reached the age of 45 in the United States is:

A) 66 years
B) 70 years
C) 80 years
D) 86 years

Question 13

Alice is 45 years old. Compared to her sensory abilities in her mid-20s, today she likely is better able to:

A) see close-up objects
B) hear high-frequency sounds
C) taste spicy foods
D) see objects that are far away

Question 14

If a woman's probability of having a bone fracture after age 50 is 50%, what is the probability that a man will have a bone fracture after age 50?

A) considerably smaller than 50%
B) about 50%
C) slightly higher than 50%
D) considerably higher than 50%

Question 15

Bob tells his 45-year-old father to look forward to middle age, since this is a period in which most people experience only a slight decline in overall health but an increase in their sense of well-being and satisfaction with life. Bob's comment is:

A) essentially true for most people
B) false, because in middle age most people experience a slight increase in health but a decline in their sense of well-being and health
C) false, because in middle age most people experience a slight increase in both their health and their sense of well-being and satisfaction
D) false, because in middle age most people experience a slight decline in both their health and their sense of well-being and satisfaction

Question 16

Generalizing from the text, which of the following age periods is most likely to be defined by the events that are taking place in the person's life, rather than by events linked directly to biological maturation?

A) infancy and toddlerhood
B) early childhood
C) early adulthood
D) middle adulthood

Question 17

The text cites examples of cross-cultural research about how women experience menopause. In general, these studies suggest that reports of negative symptoms vary ________ from culture to culture, suggesting the importance of __________ factors in explanations.

A) very little; biological
B) quite a lot; biological
C) very little; psychological
D) quite a lot; psychological

Question 18

Between the ages of 45 and 54, the cause of the largest percentage of deaths is __________; between the ages of 55 and 64, the cause of the largest percentage of deaths is _________.

A) cancer; heart disease
B) accidents; cancer
C) cancer; cancer
D) heart disease; cancer
Applied questions:

Question 19

According to the text, which of the following is the most accurate statement about how men and women experience the climacteric?

A) Both men and women experience the climacteric, but women's experience is more dramatic.
B) Both men and women experience the climacteric, but men's experience is more dramatic.
C) Women experience the climacteric, but men do not.
D) Men experience the climacteric, but women do no.

Question 20

Intelligence that comes with experience and education and is based on the body of knowledge and information accumulated over the years is called:

A) fluid intelligence
B) crystallized intelligence
C) declarative intelligence
D) pragmatic intelligence

Question 21

According to the text, the age group in the society that makes most of the policy decisions is referred to as:

A) Generation X
B) Generation Y
C) Generation Z
D) the command generation

Question 22

Which of the following events is the best example of a nonnormative event?

A) retiring at age 65
B) experiencing menopause at age 52
C) having a spouse killed in a car accident at age 48
D) having wrinkles appear on one's face as one gets older

Question 23

The text suggests that the beginning and ending of the period of middle adulthood is defined by a variety of cues. Which of the following stage-defining cues is the best example of a PSYCHOLGICAL cue?

A) reaching menopause
B) the realization that one will soon retire
C) the youngest child leaving home for college
D) the slowing down of reaction times, making it more difficult to play baseball

Question 24

Recently, Jim has begun to focus on his feeling that he has accomplished the career goals he set for himself and he now does not know what to do with his life. He feels frustrated and confused, and he wonders if the excitement in his life is mostly behind him. According to Levinson, Jim is experiencing:

A) a command moment
B) transitional moment
C) a fluid moment
D) a midlife crisis

Question 25

Generalizing from the text, which of the following age periods is most likely to be defined by the events that are taking place in the person's life, rather than by events linked directly to biological maturation?

A) infancy and toddlerhood
B) early childhood
C) early adulthood
D) middle adulthood

Question 26

Transitional models of adult development generally stress which of the following features of development?

A) continuities in how life is experienced
B) discontinuities in how life is experienced
C) cognitive changes that occur with age
D) biological changes that occur with age

Question 27

According to the text, midlife crises are more likely to occur among:

A) very poor men, since they must continue to work for the longest period of the lifespan
B) very poor women, since they have always worked to support their families
C) middle-income men and women, since they have a realistic view of their lives
D) affluent men and women, since they can delude themselves about the burdens of life

Question 28

According to transitional models, if crises do occur they generally are the result of:

A) gradual biological aging
B) gradual cognitive changes that come with age
C) unexpected, traumatic events
D) turning 40

Question 29

Which of the following physical changes is typically experienced more severely in men than in women?

A) hearing loss
B) decreases in the ability to distinguish different smells
C) decline in visual acuity
D) loss of bone mass

Question 30

In Levinson's later work, he studied the way in which women move through middle adulthood. According to this research, Levinson concluded that women:

A) very seldom experience a midlife crisis
B) do experience midlife crises, but at much earlier ages than men
C) do experience midlife crises, but at much later ages than men
D) experience midlife crises in ways very similar to men

Question 31

Suppose that Mark is a person with a very realistic and planful approach to life. Luke is a person who lives for the moment, deluding himself about the realities of life and instead focusing on the next "big adventure" in his life. When Mark and Luke enter middle adulthood, which of the following statements is the best description about how they are likely to experience this transition?

A) Mark will be much more likely than Luke to have a midlife crisis.
B) Luke will be much more likely than Mark to have a midlife crisis.
C) Both Mark and Luke will be very likely to have a midlife crisis, because they are men.
D) Neither Mark nor Luke will be likely to have a midlife crisis, because they are men.

Question 32

According to the text, in the U.S. today, the period of middle adulthood spans the ages from:

A) 35 to 55
B) 40 to 60 or 65
C) 45 to 65 or 70
D) 50 to 65 or 70

Question 33

Laura has been feeling older lately and has begun to re-evaluate the choices she has made thus far in her life. She decides that she needs a little more excitement, so she buys a new red sports car. Her response is best considered to be an example of:

A) a command decision
B) the climacteric
C) a midlife crisis
D) a transitional event

Question 34

Which of the following people is LEAST likely to be experiencing the period of middle adulthood?

A) Marie, who is 35 years old
B) Laura, who is 45 years old
C) Jane, who is 55 years old
D) Maxine, who is 60 years old

Question 35

The text suggests that the beginning and ending of the period of middle adulthood is defined by a variety of cues. Which of the following stage-defining cues is the best example of a SOCIAL cue?

A) reaching menopause
B) the realization that one will soon retire
C) the youngest child leaving home for college
D) the slowing down of reaction times, making it more difficult to play baseball

Question 36

According to Levinson, which of the following ages is most likely to include a feeling of inner turmoil, as a man resolves questions about the meaning of his life and the correctness of the choices he has made?

A) age 32
B) age 42
C) age 52
D) age 58

Question 37

Therefore, beginning at about age 50, he makes a series of investments with his savings so that he will have enough income to support himself and he plans to move into a smaller, less expensive house. When his 65^th birthday comes, Arnie feels calm and prepared. Arnie's adjustment to retirement is best considered to be an example of how which of the following models view adult development?

A) crisis models
B) Levinson's model
C) command models
D) transitional models

Question 38

Manuel, age 52, has the experience and self-knowledge to allow him to manage his own life, and is able to make decisions with ease and self-confidence. This is why Manuel is considered part of:

A) the command generation
B) Generation X
C) Generation Y
D) Generation Z

Question 39

In comparison to Levinson's view of the midlife crisis, most modern theorists view this crisis as:

A) less likely to occur than Levinson thought
B) more likely to occur than Levinson thought
C) more likely to occur in men, but less likely to occur in women than Levinson thought
D) less likely to occur in men, but more likely to occur in women than Levinson thought

Question 40

Recently, Larry has begun to focus on his feeling that he has accomplished the career goals he set for himself and he now does not know what to do with his life. He feels frustrated and confused, and he wonders if the excitement in his life is mostly behind him. According to Levinson, Larry is most likely to be about how old?

A) 30 years old
B) 40 years old
C) 50 years old
D) 60 years old

Question 41

What is the term for the broad complex of physical and emotional symptoms that accompany reproductive changes in middle adulthood?

A) climacteric
B) menarche
C) midlife crisis
D) menopause

Question 42

What is the end of menstruation called?

A) climacteric
B) menopause
C) menarche
D) amenorrhea

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT a physical change associated with middle adulthood?

A) loss of body fat
B) hearing loss
C) slowing of reaction time
D) loss of visual acuity

Question 44

In middle age, Janice can expect declines in sensitivity to all of the following EXCEPT:

A) taste
B) pain
C) smell
D) temperature changes

Question 45

Which of the following sensory abilities usually improved during middle adulthood?

A) vision for objects in the distance
B) vision for objects in the near field of vision
C) hearing for high-frequency sounds
D) taste sensitivity

Question 46

Reginald's tennis game remains just about the same as always, even though he has reached middle age. The most likely reason for this is:

A) reaction time remains the same throughout adulthood
B) motor skills remain constant throughout adulthood
C) motor skills actually improve throughout adulthood
D) practice and experience can compensate for declining reaction times

Question 47

According to the text, during middle adulthood, overall health typically ________ and the sense of well-being and satisfaction with life __________.

A) declines; remains unchanged
B) remains unchanged; declines
C) remains unchanged; increases
D) declines; declines

Question 48

If you were to interview a representative sample of 100 women and 100 men who are 50 years old, about how many of them would likely report having been on a diet to control their weight?

A) 51% of women and 42% of men
B) 42% of women and 51% of men
C) 87% of women and 59% of men
D) 59% of women and 87% of men

Question 49

Melissa is in middle adulthood. If she is typical, when can she expect menopause to occur?

A) between ages 40 and 45
B) between ages 45 and 48
C) between ages 45 and 55
D) between ages 52 and 56

Question 50

Alice is 45 years old. Compared to her sensory abilities in her mid-20s, today she likely is better able to:

A) see close-up objects
B) hear high-frequency sounds
C) taste spicy foods
D) see objects that are far away

Question 51

Bob tells his 45-year-old father to look forward to middle age, since this is a period in which most people experience only a slight decline in overall health but an increase in their sense of well-being and satisfaction with life. Bob's comment is:

A) essentially true for most people
B) false, because in middle age most people experience a slight increase in health but a decline in their sense of well-being and health
C) false, because in middle age most people experience a slight increase in both their health and their sense of well-being and satisfaction
D) false, because in middle age most people experience a slight decline in both their health and their sense of well-being and satisfaction

Question 52

Martha is 50 years old and is beginning to experience the symptoms associated with menopause. About how old will she likely be when the process of menopause is finished?

A) 51 years old
B) 53 years old
C) 55 years old
D) 57 years old

Question 53

With respect to sensory changes in middle age, one commonly experiences a(n):

A) increased ability to hear low-frequency sounds, but decreased ability to hear high-frequency sounds
B) increased sensitivity to pain, but decreased sensitivity to smell
C) increased sensitivity to smell, but decreased sensitivity to pain
D) decline in visual acuity and decline in reaction time

Question 54

Eloise, age 50, has developed erratic ovulation, her uterus is shrinking, and there has been some reduction in her breast size. Her physician tells her that these are symptoms that normally accompany which of the following?

A) ovarian cancer
B) cervical cancer
C) menopause
D) the midlife crisis for women

Question 55

The climacteric is experienced by:

A) men at the time of the midlife crisis
B) women in middle adulthood, but not men
C) men and women in middle adulthood
D) women in late adulthood

Question 56

Hearing loss involving high-frequency sounds is more common in:

A) men than in women
B) women than in men
C) very young men than in middle-aged men
D) very young women than in middle-aged women

Question 57

According to the text, the heart pumps an average of ______ blood to the body for each decade after the beginning of adulthood.

A) 15% less
B) 8% less
C) 5% more
D) 15% more

Question 58

Bart, age 40, asks his doctor about what sensory changes he should expect. The doctor will most likely tell him that:

A) his vision will decline in his 50s, while his hearing has been declining for 20 years
B) both his vision and his hearing will begin to decline in the next five years
C) neither his vision nor his hearing will begin declining until he reaches age 50
D) his hearing will decline in his 50s, while his vision has been declining for 20 years

Question 59

According to the text, which of the following is the most accurate statement about how men and women experience the climacteric?

A) Both men and women experience the climacteric, but women's experience is more dramatic.
B) Both men and women experience the climacteric, but men's experience is more dramatic.
C) Women experience the climacteric, but men do not.
D) Men experience the climacteric, but women do no.

Question 60

Which of the following changes is typical of how most adults experience middle adulthood?

A) They become slightly taller.
B) They become slightly thinner.
C) Their heart pumps less blood.
D) Their lung capacity decreases.

Question 61

60 According to the text, studies show that about ______ of men over the age of 40 will experience some erectile dysfunction.

A) 5%
B) 15%
C) 25%
D) 50%

Question 62

The text cites examples of cross-cultural research about how women experience menopause. In general, these studies suggest that reports of negative symptoms vary ________ from culture to culture, suggesting the importance of __________ factors in explanations.

A) very little; biological
B) quite a lot; biological
C) very little; psychological
D) quite a lot; psychological

Question 63

Hormone replacement therapy appears to be involved in increasing a woman's risk of developing all of the following problems EXCEPT:

A) breast cancer
B) cardiovascular problems
C) osteoporosis
D) several forms of cancer

Question 64

Which of the following statements regarding changes to bone mass in middle age is TRUE?

A) Only men experience a loss in bone mass as they age.
B) Only women experience a loss in bone mass as they age.
C) Both men and women can experience bone mass loss, but women are more likely to experience a bone fracture as a result.
D) Both men and women can experience bone mass loss, but men are more likely to experience a bone fracture as a result.

Question 65

If you were to conduct a survey of 100 women who were in the midst of menopause, you should expect that about ____ would report they felt regretful about the cessation of their menstrual cycle.

A) 4%
B) 24%
C) 54%
D) 96%

Question 66

If you were to conduct a survey of 100 middle-aged women and asked them a series of questions about what they worry about as they are getting older, you would expect that the largest percentage would respond that they are MOST worried about:

A) being too old to have children
B) having more illnesses as they get older
C) being less attractive as a woman
D) having to go through menopause

Question 67

In 1998 in the U. S., about what percentage of women between the ages of 45 and 64 were taking some form of hormone replacement therapy?

A) 10%
B) 33%
C) 54%
D) 78%

Question 68

Women's loss of bone mass accelerates greatly after menopause due in largest part to which of the following?

A) hormone replacement therapy
B) decreased supply of estrogen
C) decreased supply of androgen
D) decreased activity level

Question 69

If you were to conduct a survey of 100 women who were in the midst of menopause, you should expect that about ____ would report they felt relief about the cessation of their menstrual cycle.

A) 99%
B) 75%
C) 50%
D) 15%

Question 70

In comparison to the proportion of women who received a doctor's recommendation to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the late 1990s, you should expect that the proportion today is ______.

A) larger
B) smaller
C) about the same
D) nonexistent since HRT therapies have been withdrawn from the legal drug market

Question 71

Which of the following terms refers to the loss of bone mass and increased bone fragility?

A) menopause
B) osteoporosis
C) climacteric
D) general atrophy

Question 72

Which of the following is a long-term effect associated with the estrogen loss that accompanies menopause?

A) increase in bone mass and bone density
B) excessive lubrication of the genitals
C) decrease in the risk for coronary disease
D) vaginal atrophy

Question 73

Patty is close to experiencing menopause and is concerned about the symptoms she will experience. To give her accurate information, her physician might tell her that about _____ of menopausal women report bothersome symptoms:

A) 1%
B) 20%
C) 35%
D) 48%

Question 74

Lucille consults her doctor about osteoporosis. The doctor tells her that her chances of having a bone fracture after age 50 is about ______.

A) 10%
B) 25%
C) 50%
D) 85%

Question 75

Before menopause, the rate of cardiovascular disease is _______ for men, compared to women; after menopause the rate of cardiovascular disease is ________ for men, compared to women.

A) higher; higher
B) higher; about the same
C) lower; higher
D) lower; about the same

Question 76

Paula is unable to sleep because she is having frequent and bothersome night sweats resulting from menopause. If she decides to take medicine to help with this symptom, the medicine her physician would most likely prescribe would be:

A) aspirin taken together with caffeine
B) a male hormone similar to testosterone
C) a multi-vitamin that includes a large dose of calcium
D) estrogen, progesterone, or a combination of these drugs

Question 77

If you were to conduct a survey of 100 women who were experiencing the symptoms of menopause, you should expect that about ____ of women would report having hot flashes.

A) 22%
B) 39%
C) 55%
D) 85%

Question 78

If a woman's probability of having a bone fracture after age 50 is 50%, what is the probability that a man will have a bone fracture after age 50?

A) considerably smaller than 50%
B) about 50%
C) slightly higher than 50%
D) considerably higher than 50%

Question 79

According to the research cited in the text, what percent of menopausal women report their symptoms as bothersome?

A) 1%
B) 20%
C) 33%
D) 50%

Question 80

Eve is concerned about loss of bone mass because her mother has osteoporosis. She should understand that her loss of bone mass will most likely accelerate considerably after:

A) menopause
B) her 30^th birthday
C) her 40^th birthday
D) the birth of her first child