Deck 15: Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT an accurate statement about osteoporosis?

A) The major consequence of osteoporosis is a significantly increased risk of fractures.
B) Men are unaffected by osteoporosis.
C) Osteoporosis in women is accelerated by menopause.
D) Women can prevent osteoporosis by getting sufficient calcium during early adulthood and by engaging in weight-bearing exercise.

Answer 1

Men are unaffected by osteoporosis.

Question 2

Which of the following physical or psychological effects is NOT associated with the use of hormone replacement therapy?

A) reduced mood swings
B) reduced sex drive
C) reduced risk of coronary heart disease
D) reduced bone loss from osteoporosis

Answer 2

reduced sex drive

Question 3

_________ is secreted by the ruptured ovarian follicle from which the ovum emerges and rises during the second half of the menstrual cycle.

A) Estrogen
B) Cortisol
C) Progesterone
D) Testosterone

Answer 3

Progesterone

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a factor that is likely to contribute to a male's problems with sexual functioning?

A) smoking
B) alcohol abuse
C) decline in testosterone levels
D) high-fibre diet

Question 5

Fifty-year-old Mr.Jones has experienced changes in his sexual functioning,such as difficulty attaining and maintaining an erection.These changes might indicate that Mr.Jones is experiencing

A) high blood pressure
B) Viagra withdrawal
C) seminal fluid blockage
D) climacteric symptoms

Question 6

Osteoporosis could best be described as

A) a porous bone condition that affects only menopausal women.
B) the loss of bone mass and density that is accelerated with age.
C) a secondary aging bone condition that is negatively linked to hormone replacement therapy.
D) a degenerative bone disease of aging that is uncontrollable, inevitable, and irreversible.

Question 7

What do experts believe causes the menstrual irregularity associated with the premenopausal phase of menopause?

A) hot flashes
B) fluctuations in estrogen production
C) decreased progesterone
D) stress and fatigue

Question 8

The onset of premenopausal phase occurs at what age?

A) early 30s
B) late 30s or early 40s
C) after the age of 50
D) 45-50 years old

Question 9

Among males,gradual loss in muscle tone,increased susceptibilities to erectile dysfunction,and heart disease are factors associated with

A) a decline in seminal fluid production.
B) grey matter shrinkage.
C) a decline in testosterone production.
D) increased rates of obesity in middle age and beyond.

Question 10

Which of the following is not a physical effect that is attributed to the reduction in estrogen during the phases of menopause?

A) The walls of the vagina are less elastic and produce less lubrication.
B) Multiple ova are produced during the menstrual cycles.
C) The breasts become less firm.
D) The vagina becomes shorter and smaller in diameter.

Question 11

Developmentalists know that behavioural choices and mental health conditions affect the brain.Which of the following statements is true?

A) The brains of alcoholics and non-alcoholics differ in electrical activity.
B) The brains of depressed individuals and non-depressed individuals show no structural or electrical differences.
C) A number of serious mental illnesses are associated with differences in electrical activity.
D) The brains of alcoholics and non-alcoholics differed in electrical activity before the onset of the alcoholism.

Question 12

Which of the following physical conditions is strongly associated with the perimenopausal phase of menopause?

A) hot flashes
B) high blood pressure
C) osteoporosis
D) mood swings

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a way in which age-based changes in neurological processing affect cognitive functioning in middle adulthood?

A) Middle-aged adults may have less ability to control attentional processes by inhibiting brain responses to irrelevant stimuli.
B) Cognitive tasks activate a larger area of brain tissue in middle-aged adults than they do in younger adults.
C) Middle-aged drivers have more lapses of concentration and make poorer judgments than younger drivers.
D) Difficult cognitive tasks, such as recalling non-associated words (e.g., fish-bicycle), require the activation of larger areas of the brain than easy tasks.

Question 14

Which of the following individuals is in the postmenopausal phase?

A) Ms. Alvarez, who has not had a menstrual period for a year
B) Ms. Washington, who is 55 years old
C) Ms. Ali, who began to experience hot flashes and sleep disturbances six months ago
D) Ms. Maracle, who has experienced irregular menstrual periods for a year

Question 15

Which of the following is a factor associated with the male climacteric?

A) enlargement of the testes
B) increased production of testosterone
C) increased volume of seminal fluid coupled by a decrease in sperm production
D) difficulty attaining and maintaining an erection

Question 16

What reproductive event in middle adulthood is climacteric?

A) a loss of interest in sexual activity
B) an increase in the number of miscarriages
C) the occurrence of menopause
D) a decreased incidence of impotence

Question 17

According to experts,which of the following is the best explanation for the cognitive and emotional effects of perimenopause,such as feelings of emotional instability or mental confusion?

A) lack of sleep as a result of hot flashes
B) depression due to bodily changes
C) loss of blood caused by menstrual flooding
D) changes in sex drive

Question 18

According to studies,the psychological effects of menopause cannot be attributed to

A) the level of uncomfortable physical symptoms.
B) an increased likelihood of major depression.
C) a personality predisposed to negativity.
D) life stressors.

Question 19

What appears to be the primary cause of menopause in women?

A) decreasing estrogen levels
B) increasing testosterone levels
C) cessation of ova production
D) increasing estrogen levels

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a change that occurs in the human brain during middle adulthood?

A) formation of new synapses
B) increased production of neurotransmitters
C) decrease in brain weight
D) decline in density of grey matter

Question 21

What are the two age-related changes in the eyes that are collectively known as presbyopia?

A) clouding of the retina and loss of light/dark adaptation
B) thickening and loss of flexibility of the eye lens
C) thickening and yellowing of the retina
D) clouding of the retina and yellowing of the eye lens

Question 22

Alexander,age 55,believes there is something wrong with the telephone because he is experiencing difficulty hearing his 3-year-old granddaughter's voice when she calls.Alexander should be examined for

A) neuropathy
B) auricularis
C) presbycusis
D) presbyopia

Question 23

The general pattern of presbycusis is that loss accelerates after age

A) 50.
B) 30.
C) 20.
D) 40.

Question 24

Which of the following is not a known risk for cancer?

A) smoking
B) high cholesterol
C) inactivity
D) alcohol

Question 25

Middle-aged adults have higher rates of ________ than young adults.

A) major depression
B) acute illnesses
C) chronic illnesses
D) accidents

Question 26

Which of the following factors/treatments is known to decrease bone loss to premenopausal levels?

A) medications like Fosamax
B) regular weight-bearing exercise
C) use of hormone replacement therapy
D) a diet with sufficient calcium to build bone mass in young adulthood

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT an effect or consequence of presbyopia?

A) The pressure of fluid within the eye reaches an abnormally high level, and an individual experiences headaches and eye strain.
B) The lens of the eye becomes less elastic and less able to make focal adjustments to focus clearly on near objects.
C) An individual is less able to quickly adapt to variations in light or glare, which makes night driving particularly difficult.
D) The lens of the eye thickens and becomes slightly yellowed, and an individual is less sensitive to colours such as blue or violet.

Question 28

Which of the following is a risk factor for osteoporosis?

A) high-calcium diet
B) obesity
C) late onset of menopause
D) sedentary lifestyle

Question 29

Martha notices her father Rick,age 50,holding his newspaper further and further away to get a clear image.Martha's father is likely experiencing

A) cataracts
B) presbycusis
C) nearsightedness
D) presbyopia

Question 30

What condition results when the auditory nerves and inner-ear structures degenerate,and an individual loses the ability to hear sounds of high and very low frequencies?

A) presbycusis
B) presbyopia
C) audiometry
D) neuropathy

Question 31

Which of the following is NOT one of the known controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease?

A) smoking
B) high cholesterol
C) inactivity
D) arthritis

Question 32

Which item is out of place in this list?

A) stroke
B) heart attack
C) atherosclerosis
D) primary aging

Question 33

Which of the following factors is linked most directly to osteoporosis in women?

A) obesity
B) age of menopause
C) diet in young adulthood
D) estrogen and progesterone levels

Question 34

Which of the following is a risk factor for both heart disease and cancer?

A) moderate alcohol use
B) high cholesterol
C) smoking
D) high blood pressure

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT a significant risk factor for heart disease?

A) elevated levels of low-density lipoproteins
B) moderate use of wine
C) inactive or sedentary lifestyle
D) first-degree relatives with cardiovascular disease

Question 36

In Canada,what is the leading cause of death among adults?

A) cardiovascular disease
B) pneumonia/influenza
C) HIV/AIDS
D) cancer

Question 37

Maria has always had excellent vision,but after her forty-fifth birthday she found herself unable to read the morning newspaper at her habitual focal distance.Maria should be checked for

A) presbyopia.
B) presbycusis.
C) nearsightedness.
D) glaucoma.

Question 38

Which of the following descriptions best represents the Type A personality characteristic that is most strongly linked to cardiovascular disease?

A) When Jack loses a business deal, he takes his anger and hostility out on other drivers during his evening commute.
B) Susan is motivated by her desire to be the sales leader in her division, but her co-workers dislike her aggressive strategies.
C) Ann is unable to retain secretaries because she is constantly instructing them on how to use their time and energy more efficiently.
D) Tom's responsibilities dictate his urgent, fast-paced life, and he constantly checks his watch to make sure that he is on time and on schedule.

Question 39

In middle age,what are the two leading causes of death?

A) heart disease and all categories of unintentional injuries
B) motor vehicle accidents and cancer
C) heart disease and cancer
D) heart disease and strokes

Question 40

What condition results when deposits of plaque cause the arteries to narrow or become blocked?

A) atherosclerosis
B) pulmonary embolism
C) diabetes
D) osteoarthritis

Question 41

By middle adulthood,Canadians report

A) more anxiety disorders.
B) improved mental health.
C) higher rates of mental illness.
D) lower self-esteem.

Question 42

Which of the following statements best represents Daniel Goleman's thoughts about creative thinking processes?

A) Creative solutions usually pop into the mind of a creative person fully formed.
B) Failure is essential to the creative process.
C) Creative thinking is 1% inspiration and 99% diligence.
D) Creative solutions often proceed in a bits-and-pieces fashion.

Question 43

Which of the following is not one of Goleman's four stages for problem solving?

A) preparation
B) illumination
C) translation
D) communication

Question 44

An individual who forgets where she ate lunch is having difficulty retrieving a(n)________ memory,but if she can recite Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken," she is using her ________ memory.

A) experiential; comprehensive
B) episodic; semantic
C) flashbulb; schematic
D) iconic; dialectic

Question 45

In Canada,______ of every 100 000 men between the ages of 45 and 54 die of heart disease.

A) 67
B) 453
C) 101
D) 324

Question 46

What is the Canadian gender pattern with respect to alcoholism?

A) Alcoholism has more serious effects on the health of women than men.
B) More women than men are heavy drinkers.
C) The rate of alcoholism declines with age for women but increases for men.
D) More men than women are heavy drinkers.

Question 47

A researcher who is testing the cognitive functioning of middle-aged adults would find that her subjects ________ on well-rehearsed,familiar tasks and ________ on tests of unfamiliar or unpracticed skills.

A) perceive impaired performance; are unaware of the extent of their impairment
B) have difficulty performing; are unable to perform
C) have gradual declines; show improved performance
D) maintain or gain in skill; have steady declines

Question 48

All of the following statements are true regarding creativity in people over 50 EXCEPT:

A) Creativity is nourished by support from others.
B) Creative people don't require external motivation.
C) Accumulated knowledge and experience contribute to creativity.
D) The creative process is highly individualized.

Question 49

Studies of creativity have revealed that the peak productivity of historical and contemporary scientists is around age ________,and the quality of their work ________.

A) 30; is poorer with advancing age
B) 40; remains high through age 50
C) 35; was superior during earlier years
D) 25; also peaks at that age

Question 50

According to Denney's model of exercised and unexercised skills illustrated in the textbook,the maximum level of cognitive and physical function an individual can achieve with exercise

A) is less for the abilities that are routinely exercised and greater for the abilities that are rarely exercised.
B) steadily increases as the individual ages.
C) is determined by social class, gender, and ethnicity.
D) steadily decreases as the individual ages.

Question 51

Of the following,which individual might be expected to experience earlier or larger intellectual declines?

A) Mr. Jones, age 70, who has taken medication for high blood pressure for 20 years
B) Mr. Brown, age 50, who has been warned by his physician to lose 10 kilograms
C) Mrs. Anderson, age 50, who is in the postmenopausal phase
D) Mrs. Green, age 65, who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer

Question 52

What is the typical pattern of cognitive functioning in middle adulthood?

A) Individuals may maintain or even gain in skill on tasks that are highly practiced or based on specific learning, such as playing a card game.
B) Most individuals demonstrate a decrease in verbal skills, such as vocabulary, and tasks such as working a crossword puzzle or giving instructions become difficult.
C) Mental processes steadily and significantly decline across middle adulthood, and most individuals perceive an accelerated loss of mental acuity.
D) Most individuals begin to experience decrements in problem-solving abilities, and tasks such as adjusting ingredients in a recipe or learning new computer software become difficult.

Question 53

Which of the following is a NOT a true statement about alcoholism and brain functioning in middle age?

A) Functional deficits among alcoholics include problems with memory and language.
B) Some parts of the brains of middle-aged alcoholics are smaller and less responsive to stimuli than the brains of nonalcoholics.
C) The effects of alcohol on the brain are irreversible, even if an alcoholic quits drinking.
D) Alcohol weakens the walls of the blood vessels in the body and brain.

Question 54

In Canada,______ of every 100 000 women between the ages of 45 and 54 die of heart disease.

A) 67
B) 35
C) 124
D) 326

Question 55

Compared to men,women in middle adulthood are more likely NOT to describe themselves as

A) in poor health.
B) having a chronic health condition.
C) in good health.
D) limited in their daily activities.

Question 56

Nancy Denney uses the concepts of "exercised" and "unexercised" skills to propose a model of physical and cognitive change in adulthood.Which of the following is most consistent with Denney's view of age-related change in physical and cognitive functioning?

A) If a skill is unexercised for any length of time, or becomes "rusty," exercise will not cause any improvement.
B) There is an underlying decay curve, so that with increased age there will eventually be a point at which even maximum exercise will not help an individual maintain peak functioning in either physical or cognitive abilities.
C) Early adulthood is the time of peak function in physical and cognitive abilities, and even young adults who are not exercising their skills will be able to outperform middle-aged adults who are exercising their physical and cognitive abilities.
D) Physical exercise will facilitate maintenance of physical abilities through adulthood, but no equivalent improvement can be made in cognitive functioning.

Question 57

Which scenario is the best example of "compensation" in middle age according to the Balteses' theory of selective optimization with compensation?

A) Alice reads a book using her reading glasses.
B) Eric turns off the TV and all other distractions to help him study.
C) Mary fondly remembers her mother by looking through her photo albums.
D) Gregory cuts the grass for his neighbour who is recovering from a heart attack.

Question 58

Which of the following is NOT a known risk factor for cancer?

A) cholesterol
B) alcohol
C) smoking
D) weight

Question 59

Which of the following is NOT an accurate statement about the relationship between gender and health?

A) Women are more likely than men to describe their health as poor and to be limited in their daily activities.
B) By old age, more men than women are likely to be chronically ill.
C) The difference in rates of heart disease between men and women increases once women are past menopause.
D) Women's life expectancy is greater than men's.

Question 60

How does aging affect memory?

A) Memory ability declines with age, and by middle adulthood significant decline has occurred.
B) With advancing age, auditory memory declines rapidly, but visual memory is stable or improves.
C) With advancing age, individuals tend to remember fewer specific details of a story and more of the theme or meaning of the story.
D) By age 45, an individual would have more difficulty retrieving a semantic memory than an episodic memory.

Question 61

During the perimenopausal period,problems such as mental confusion or emotional instability often can be attributed to loss of sleep caused by night-time hot flashes.

Question 62

The factor that causes the changes in sexual functioning associated with the male climacteric is most likely a decline in testosterone levels.

Question 63

"Climacteric" is a term used to describe the adult period during which reproductive capacity declines or is lost.

Question 64

Many Canadians have one or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Question 65

Studies have found that women who use hormone replacement therapy have no elevated risks for breast cancer or ovarian cancer.

Question 66

The volume of cerebrospinal fluid tends to increase throughout the lifespan.

Question 67

Among healthy middle-aged men,performance anxiety is a frequent cause of erectile dysfunction.

Question 68

Studies have proven that dietary fat is a significant risk factor for both heart disease and cancer.

Question 69

Men are more likely than women to have poor health,to have nonfatal chronic conditions such as arthritis,and to be limited in daily activities as a result of their health problems.

Question 70

Research studies find no connection between menopausal status and a rise in depression or other psychological symptoms.

Question 71

The risk of osteoporosis-related fractures begins earlier for women than for men.

Question 72

Changing diet and exercise habits can improve erectile dysfunction in middle-aged men.

Question 73

Weight-bearing exercises have no effect on the onset of osteoporosis.

Question 74

In middle adulthood there is no formation of new synapses,only loss of old connections.

Question 75

Presbyopia and presbycusis are examples of secondary aging processes.

Question 76

The brains of alcoholics and nonalcoholics differ in the distribution of electrical activity.

Question 77

Some studies show that middle-aged adults outperform those who are younger.

Question 78

Most individuals need reading glasses or bifocals by the age of 35 or 40.

Question 79

Hearing loss is a result only of primary aging.

Question 80

The performance of cognitive tasks activates a larger area of the brain in middle-aged adults than in younger adults.