Deck 15: Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood

Question 1

In the "middle-age spread," women accumulate fat __________,whereas men accumulate it __________.

A) on the upper abdomen; around the waist
B) around the waist; on the back
C) around the upper arms; around the waist
D) on the back; around the upper arms

Answer 1

B

Question 2

As new cells accumulate on their outer layers,the bones

A) become more porous.
B) grow stronger.
C) increase in mineral content.
D) gain in density.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

To offset both excess weight and muscle loss,people should

A) engage in endurance training that focuses on raising heart rate.
B) engage in weight-bearing exercise that includes resistance training.
C) gradually increase their caloric intake.
D) gradually add more carbohydrates and fat to their diet.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a neural change in vision?

A) presbyopia
B) glaucoma
C) loss of rods and cones in the retina
D) development of opaque areas in the vitreous

Question 5

The first sign of presbycusis is

A) an "age spot."
B) a buildup of pressure within the eye.
C) wrinkling and loosening of the skin.
D) a noticeable hearing loss at high frequencies.

Question 6

As we age,

A) the epidermis becomes more firmly attached to the dermis.
B) fibers in the dermis thicken.
C) fat in the hypodermis increases.
D) cells in both the epidermis and dermis decline in water content.

Question 7

During midlife,

A) both June and Ted will benefit from hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
B) June, but not Ted, will experience reproductive changes.
C) both June and Ted will experience the climacteric.
D) Ted, but not June, will reach menopause by age 40.

Question 8

African tribal peoples display

A) significant presbycusis.
B) little age-related hearing loss.
C) hearing loss across a wide range of frequencies.
D) hearing loss that makes speech difficult to understand.

Question 9

Men experience slower aging of the skin than women because

A) the dermis of men is thicker.
B) men are more likely to wear sunscreen.
C) the fatty layer of men's skin thickens, reducing elasticity.
D) hormonal differences make women prone to age spots.

Question 10

In a longitudinal study of nearly 30,000 U.S.50- to 79-year-old women diverse in SES and ethnicity,a healthy __________ diet was associated with greater initial weight loss and success at maintaining that loss over a seven-year period.

A) gluten-free
B) liquid
C) no-carbohydrate
D) low-fat

Question 11

According to his eye doctor,60-year-old Bobby has developed a condition called presbyopia.This means that

A) the size of his pupil has shrunk and the lens has yellowed.
B) the lens has lost its capacity to adjust to objects at varying distances entirely.
C) the vitreous has developed opaque areas, reducing light to the retina.
D) his vision is more disputed by bright light sources, such as headlights.

Question 12

During midlife,

A) adults become conscious of aging as their time orientation changes from "years since birth" to "years left to live."
B) most individuals notice an older body, but few experience life-threatening health episodes.
C) adults revise their physical self-images, placing less emphasis on feared declines and more on hoped-for gains.
D) most individuals focus on becoming more physically fit and developing into healthy, energetic older adults.

Question 13

Glaucoma

A) affects more women than men.
B) involves changes in the vitreous of the eye.
C) causes the eye to rapidly become more farsighted.
D) is caused by neural changes in the visual system.

Question 14

Jeanine is 55 years old.According to her doctor,Jeanine's reproductive capacity has ended.She has reached the midlife reproductive transition called

A) HRT.
B) the climacteric.
C) senescence.
D) menarche.

Question 15

Middle adulthood is

A) more about aging mentally than physically.
B) defined by feelings of chaos and crisis.
C) marked by narrowing life options.
D) is the time when career options typically widen.

Question 16

Most studies on menopause reveal

A) no association between menopause and depression in the general population.
B) that Western menopausal women experience hot flashes every day.
C) that complaints about sexual functioning decrease during menopause.
D) no association with loss of bone mass and the drop in estrogen.

Question 17

When bone loss is very great,it leads to

A) the climacteric.
B) menopause.
C) osteoarthritis.
D) osteoporosis.

Question 18

In humans,dietary calorie restriction

A) slows aging and extends longevity.
B) extends the lifespan by 1 to 12 years.
C) accelerates the onset of age-related diseases.
D) is unlikely to prolong longevity.

Question 19

Which of the following women is the most likely to reach menopause the earliest?

A) Lisa, who has not borne children
B) Yessica, who has borne one child
C) Mei Wu, who has borne three children
D) Maryann, who has borne five children

Question 20

Scientists have begun to explore calorie restriction mimetics

A) because very few people would be willing to maintain a substantially reduced diet for most of their lifespan.
B) because they believe that they can slow aging and extend the lifespan of both nonhuman and human primates.
C) such as artificial food substances, long-lasting packaged foods, and virtual exercise regimens.
D) because recent generations of Okinawans show health and longevity advantages using such mimetics.

Question 21

From early to middle adulthood,the cancer death rate

A) triples.
B) quadruples.
C) multiplies sixfold.
D) multiplies tenfold.

Question 22

Which of the following women is the most likely to hold a favorable view of menopause?

A) Denyse, who is Caucasian American
B) Ana, who is Asian American
C) Kris, who is Native American
D) Katrina, who is Mexican American

Question 23

Most women with breast cancer

A) die from the disease.
B) do not have a family history.
C) have had two or more children.
D) do not live past age 75.

Question 24

Viagra and other medications for impotence

A) decrease blood flow to the penis.
B) offer permanent relief from erectile dysfunction.
C) offer temporary relief from erectile dysfunction.
D) are associated with an increased risk of cancer and stroke.

Question 25

Lung cancer

A) rates have just begun to decrease in men after a long period of increase.
B) rates have dropped in women over the past two decades.
C) is the most common cause of cancer deaths in both genders, worldwide.
D) is the leading malignancy for both genders.

Question 26

Which of the following women is the most likely to report fewer menopausal complaints?

A) Laura, an American woman
B) Gerta, a European woman
C) Precious, an African woman
D) Noriko, an Asian woman

Question 27

The leading causes of U.S.deaths in middle age are __________ and __________.

A) motor vehicle collisions; cancer
B) falls; motor vehicle collisions
C) cancer; cardiovascular disease
D) falls; cardiovascular disease

Question 28

Among middle-aged men,

A) cancer deaths exceed cardiovascular disease deaths by a small margin.
B) cancer is by far the leading cause of death.
C) cardiovascular disease is by far the leading cause of death.
D) cardiovascular disease deaths exceed cancer deaths by a small margin.

Question 29

To reduce the physical discomforts of menopause for women who have had hysterectomies,doctors may prescribe

A) hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
B) epidural anesthesia.
C) estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).
D) postmenopausal analgesics (PMAs).

Question 30

__________ nearly double from early to middle adulthood.

A) Injuries due to motor vehicle collisions
B) Deaths due to motor vehicle collisions
C) Suicides
D) Falls resulting in bone fractures and death

Question 31

__________ with age,but the change is minimal in healthy men who continue to engage in sexual activity.

A) Blood flow to the penis increases
B) Motility of sperm increases
C) Testosterone production declines
D) Testosterone production increases

Question 32

Middle-aged adults usually attribute health complaints to

A) temporary infections.
B) chronic diseases.
C) fleeting viruses.
D) disabling conditions.

Question 33

For cancers that affect both sexes,

A) men are generally more vulnerable than women.
B) women are more likely to be symptomatic than men.
C) men have a better survival rate than women.
D) women are more susceptible to somatic mutation than men.

Question 34

For men,__________ after age 40.

A) quantity of sperm increases
B) motility of sperm increases
C) quantity of semen diminishes
D) fertility does not diminish

Question 35

Thomas,age 45,has been married for 20 years.When asked about his sex life,Thomas will probably say that sex is __________ than it was in his early married life.

A) less important
B) more dysfunctional
C) less intense
D) more frequent

Question 36

When __________ persists,it can prevent the heart from pumping enough blood and result in faintness.

A) BRCA2
B) arrhythmia
C) osteoporosis
D) angina pectoris

Question 37

When more than 2,000 U.S.women were asked what their feelings were about no longer menstruating,60 percent said they felt

A) old.
B) relieved.
C) ashamed.
D) depressed.

Question 38

A blood clot in one of Ollie's coronary arteries is blocking the normal blood supply to an area of his heart,resulting in intense pain.Ollie is having

A) angina pectoris.
B) angioplasty.
C) a heart attack.
D) arrhythmia.

Question 39

__________ tends to decline only slightly in middle adulthood.

A) Frequency of sexual activity
B) Intensity of sexual response
C) Men's physical health
D) Women's physical health

Question 40

Which of the following statements about cancer is true?

A) Colon cancer is the leading killer of men.
B) Annual medical exams do little to reduce cancer death rates.
C) Prostate cancer is the leading malignancy for men.
D) Survival rates are relatively high for pancreatic cancer.

Question 41

Which of the following exercise formats is usually the most successful option for adults with highly stressful lives?

A) an individual gym membership
B) a home-based routine planned by a consultant
C) a group class
D) day-to-day modifications, such as taking the stairs instead of an elevator

Question 42

Jane is critical and condescending towards her colleagues.She can be rude and is prone to angry outbursts.Jane's __________ is associated with greater cardiovascular arousal,coronary artery plaque buildup,and heart disease.

A) passive-aggressiveness
B) suppressed overt anger
C) expressed hostility
D) socially submissive emotional style

Question 43

When middle-aged adults surmount a highly stressful experience,they often report

A) a subsequent period of depression and anxiety.
B) lasting personal benefits.
C) subsequent escapist behaviors.
D) a decline in life satisfaction.

Question 44

__________ affects about 10 million U.S.adults,80 percent of whom are women.

A) Atherosclerosis
B) Angina pectoris
C) Osteoporosis
D) Arterial thrombosis

Question 45

Osteoporosis

A) affects more men than women.
B) greatly magnifies the risk of bone fractures.
C) typically results in a "dowager's hump."
D) affects few people after age 70.

Question 46

Current evidence pinpoints __________ as a "toxic" ingredient of the Type A behavior pattern.

A) ambition
B) competitiveness
C) hostility
D) productivity

Question 47

Which of the following individuals is the most likely to experience recurrence or death following a heart attack?

A) Raymond, a Caucasian American
B) Tiffany, a Caucasian American
C) Fred, an African American
D) Sabrina, an African American

Question 48

Interpreting trauma as growth-promoting is related to

A) declines in physical health.
B) declines in mental health.
C) more effective coping with current stressors.
D) less effective coping with current stressors.

Question 49

As people get angry,

A) the heart rate plummets.
B) blood pressure escalates.
C) stress hormones decrease.
D) plaque dislodges.

Question 50

Low-hardy people __________ often __________.

A) more; use problem-centered coping strategies in situations they can control
B) more; use emotion-centered and avoidant coping strategies.
C) more; seek social support when stressful events occur
D) less; deny that a stressful event has occurred

Question 51

__________ is associated with high blood pressure and heart disease.

A) Displaying extreme competitiveness
B) Having a lot of ambition
C) Expressing frustration and disappointment
D) Ruminating about past anger-provoking events

Question 52

Which of the following individuals is likely to experience the most barriers to exercise?

A) Chris, who has a high-paying job
B) Jenna, who has a moderately high-paying job
C) Bruce, who has a modest- to low-paying job
D) Ella, who is unemployed and impoverished

Question 53

Kay displays a committed,involved approach to daily activities.She regards most experiences as controllable and she views change as a challenge.Kay displays

A) a Type A behavior pattern.
B) a Type B behavior pattern.
C) hardiness.
D) resilience.

Question 54

Indigestion-like pain or crushing chest pain,called __________,reveals an oxygen-deprived heart.

A) angina pectoris
B) arrhythmia.
C) angioplasty
D) atherosclerosis

Question 55

Which of the following statements about exercise in middle adulthood is true?

A) Nearly 40 percent of U.S. middle-aged adults are sedentary.
B) An important outcome of starting an exercise program is weight loss.
C) Regular exercise equips adults to handle stress more effectively.
D) Overweight adults are more likely than normal-weight adults to stick to group classes.

Question 56

Brenda deals with stress by taking long baths and watching movies.She uses __________ coping.

A) problem-centered
B) emotion-centered
C) relaxation-centered
D) holistic

Question 57

Barry deals with stress by carefully thinking about what to do and then taking action.Barry uses __________ coping.

A) problem-centered
B) emotion-centered
C) relaxation-centered
D) holistic

Question 58

Negative stereotypes of aging

A) are more likely to be applied to men than to women.
B) yield a double standard.
C) have increased in recent years.
D) are uncommon in the media.

Question 59

Which of the following statements about osteoporosis is true?

A) A family history of osteoporosis increases risk of the condition.
B) Overweight and obese women have an increased risk of the condition.
C) By the late sixties, the decline in bone mass is two to five times greater in men than in women.
D) Asian Americans are the most susceptible to the condition.

Question 60

Ineffective coping

A) is largely problem-centered.
B) reduces emotional distress.
C) is largely self-blaming, impulsive, or escapist.
D) attempts to balance problem- and emotion-centered techniques.

Question 61

On __________ reaction-time tasks,response time __________ from the early twenties into the nineties.

A) simple; decreases dramatically
B) complex; decreases steadily
C) both simple and complex; increases steadily
D) simple; decreases slightly

Question 62

Compared with the previous generation at the same age,baby boomers perform

A) slightly worse on verbal memory, but slightly better on inductive reasoning.
B) substantially worse on inductive reasoning, but slightly better on verbal memory.
C) slightly better on verbal memory and inductive reasoning, but substantially worse on spatial orientation.
D) substantially better on verbal memory, inductive reasoning, and spatial orientation.

Question 63

Laboratory research reveals that __________ becomes more challenging with age.

A) the ability to focus on a simple task
B) the ability to perform familiar tasks in everyday life
C) sustaining two tasks at once, when at least one of the tasks is complex,
D) determining whether a letter string forms a word

Question 64

According to the neural network view,

A) as neurons in the brain die, breaks in neural networks occur.
B) new synaptic connections that go around neural network breaks are more efficient.
C) with each step of thinking, information degrades.
D) complex tasks are more affected by information loss.

Question 65

Middle adulthood is a time of

A) expanding responsibilities.
B) decreasing work responsibilities.
C) intellectual stagnation.
D) confusion and forgetfulness.

Question 66

Because older adults find ways to compensate for cognitive slowing on familiar tasks,their reaction time

A) is considerably better on verbal items.
B) is somewhat better on nonverbal items.
C) cannot be improved through training.
D) is slower on familiar tasks.

Question 67

Recent surveys on the negative stereotypes of aging reveal that more people are viewing

A) middle-aged women as wise and mature.
B) middle-aged women as greying and wrinkled.
C) middle age as a potentially upbeat, satisfying time for both genders.
D) middle-aged men as having more negative characteristics than women.

Question 68

Theater training can improve memory in older adults because actors are trained to memorize lines by

A) using rote memory.
B) rehearsing them many times.
C) focusing on the meaning of the words.
D) using elaboration techniques.

Question 69

Some theorists believe that a general slowing of __________ underlies nearly all age-related declines in cognitive performance.

A) processing speed
B) synaptic connections
C) verbal IQ
D) central nervous system functioning

Question 70

From the twenties to the sixties,

A) spatial memory suffers much less than verbal memory.
B) the amount of information people can retain in working memory diminishes.
C) adults rehearse more than they did in early adulthood.
D) the speed at which adults can repeat information to themselves increases.

Question 71

__________ intelligence refers to skills that depend on accumulated knowledge and experience,good judgment,and mastery of social conventions.

A) Fluid
B) Crystallized
C) Naturalistic
D) Kinesthetic

Question 72

The __________ their reaction time,the lower people's scores on tests of __________.

A) faster; memory
B) faster; reasoning
C) faster; problem solving
D) slower; memory, reasoning, and problem solving

Question 73

__________ is applied __________ with age.

A) Organization; more effectively
B) Elaboration; more often
C) Rehearsal; more often
D) Elaboration; less effectively

Question 74

The findings of the Seattle Longitudinal Study confirm that midlife is a time when

A) verbal, numeric, and spatial abilities decline.
B) some of the most complex mental abilities are at their peak.
C) inductive reasoning plummets, whereas perceptual speed increases gradually.
D) spatial orientation and verbal memory decrease steadily.

Question 75

Longitudinal research reveals

A) functioning decline in intelligence in midlife.
B) a peak in cognitive performance in the mid-thirties, followed by a steep drop.
C) that each generation scores slightly lower than the previous one on intelligence tests.
D) modest cognitive gains in midlife, sustained into the fifties and early sixties.

Question 76

The __________ view suggests that older adults experience greater loss of information as it moves through the cognitive system.

A) neural network
B) information-loss
C) executive-function
D) processing speed

Question 77

Fluid intelligence __________,whereas crystallized intelligence __________.

A) increases steadily through middle adulthood; begins to decline in the twenties.
B) remains stable over time; shows dramatic declines with age.
C) is influenced by learning unique to the individual; is influenced in part by culture.
D) is based on accumulated knowledge; depends on information processing speed

Question 78

Dr.Hader shows participants a series of stimuli on a computer screen and asks them to press the space bar only after a particular sequence occurs.Which of the following adults will most likely receive the lowest score?

A) Polly, who is 24
B) Rex, who is 33
C) Ethan, who is 42
D) Wanda, who is 51

Question 79

Verbal IQ usually begins to decline in the

A) twenties.
B) forties.
C) sixties.
D) eighties.

Question 80

Oscar,a pilot,will most likely show

A) more age-related declines in inhibition.
B) fewer age-related declines in processing speed.
C) smaller age-related attentional declines.
D) better selective attention at age 45 than at age 25.