Developmental Psychology 7 & 8

8-9. John has been gaining weight during middle adulthood. He feels fine and exercises, but still gains weight. John’s weight gain is related to __________.

a) the fact that his height is not increasing and may actually be decreasing
b) hypertension
c) the body not being able to rid itself of excess fat cells
d) emotional issues

A

8-11. Changes in a person’s height and weight during middle adulthood are accompanied by a decline in __________.

a) strength
b) immune functioning
c) cognitive ability
d) security

A

8-179. Men seem to be more prone to a decline in height due to the risk of osteoporosis.

False

8-178. The process of losing height is very slow. Women average a one-inch decline and men average a two-inch decline from middle age through the rest of the life span.

False

8-10. Which of the following plays a major factor in reducing and preventing weight gain during middle adulthood?

a) Vitamins
b) Fat-free diet
c) Lifestyle changes
d) Less caffeine

C

8-12. In which parts of the body would Sam likely lose strength during middle adulthood?

a) Back and leg muscles
b) Hamstrings
c) Hands and arms
d) Torso

A

8-13. By what age have most people lost an average of 10 percent of their maximum strength?

a) 55
b) 60
c) 65
d) 70

B

8-14. By age 60, what percent of strength is lost in most people?

a) 5 percent
b) 10 percent
c) 15 percent
d) 20 percent

B

8-181. Strength actually increases during middle adulthood.

False

8-30. Which of the following is NOT a problem related to sexuality that men face in middle adulthood?

a) More time needed to achieve an erection
b) Endurance decreases
c) Volume of fluid ejaculated declines
d) Testosterone declines

B

8-34. Which of the following is NOT a reason that menopause is important?

a) Menopause marks the point at which traditional pregnancy is not possible.
b) Sexuality declines at a rapid rate.
c) The production of estrogen begins to drop.
d) The production of progesterone drops.

B

8-44. Many men experience changes in their sexual functioning as they age, with __________ becoming a particularly common problem.

a) an absence of semen during ejaculation
b) erectile dysfunction
c) arousal disorder
d) dyspareunia

B

8-189. The frequency of sexual intercourse declines in middle age, but sexual pleasure remains vital.

True

8-190. Middle adulthood often brings about a renewal of sexual enjoyment.

True

8-7. Sue’s bones have become brittle, fragile, and thin. Her doctor would most likely diagnose her with __________.

a) osteoporosis
b) presbyopia
c) presbycusis
d) arthritis

A

8-8. Men and women can reduce the risk of osteoporosis by consuming a diet high in calcium and __________.

a) reducing their intake of animal protein
b) eating vegetables
c) getting enough sleep
d) getting regular exercise

D

8-180. Osteoporosis is brought about by a lack of protein in a person’s diet.

False

8-18. The loss of near vision in middle adulthood is referred to as __________.

a) visual acuity
b) presbycusis
c) glaucoma
d) presbyopia

D

8-19. Tomasina finds herself holding books and newspapers further from her eyes in order to read and bring material into focus. Her eye exam will probably reveal that she has __________.

a) farsightedness
b) amblyopia
c) presbyopia
d) strabismus

C

8-21. Which of the following is NOT a change in vision occurring during middle adulthood?

a) Decline in depth perception
b) Decline in distance perception
c) Decrease in presbyopia
d) Diminished ability to view items in three dimensions

C

8-25. The loss of ability to hear high-pitched, high-frequency sounds is known as __________.

a) presbycusis
b) hearing detention
c) hearing manifestation
d) presbyopia

A

8-27. What percentage of people between the ages of 45 and 65 suffer from presbycusis?

a) 10 percent
b) 12 percent
c) 14 percent
d) 16 percent

B

8-32. The cessation of menstruation is known as __________.

a) climacteric
b) "hot flashes"
c) progesterone
d) menopause

D

8-33. At about what age does menopause typically begin?

a) 42-43
b) 47-48
c) 50-51
d) 52-53

B

8-35. Joan is 45 years old, and her body temperature sometimes feels too hot. During these episodes, her skin looks red, she begins to sweat, and then she feels chills. Joan is experiencing __________.

a) "hot flashes"
b) perimenopause
c) menopause
d) climacteric

A

8-36. All of the following are common symptoms of menopause EXCEPT __________.

a) dizziness
b) heart palpitations
c) occasional fainting
d) aching joints

C

8-37. What percentage of women experience no significant symptoms of menopause?

a) 10 percent
b) 25 percent
c) 50 percent
d) 75 percent

C

8-38. What percentage of women experience severe distress during menopause?

a) 10 percent
b) 15 percent
c) 20 percent
d) 25 percent

A

8-39. Dr. Johnson is lecturing to a group of medical students. Her lecture focuses on the period beginning around 10 years prior to menopause when hormone production begins to change. She is discussing __________.

a) premenopause
b) hormone reduction
c) climacteric
d) perimenopause

D

8-40. How do most researchers today view menopause?

a) It produces mood disorders.
b) It is a normal part of the aging cycle.
c) It is responsible for increased anxiety attacks.
d) It produces severe irritability.

B

8-108. The model of aging for high-caste Hindu women from the Oriya culture in Orissa, India, consists of all of the following EXCEPT __________.

a) life in the father’s house (bapa gharo)
b) the shift in social status from child to daughter-in-law
c) physical changes such as the onset of menstruation and its cessation at menopause
d) life in the husband’s mother’s house (sasu gharo)

C

8-193. Menopause is the cessation of menstruation.

True

8-194. Menopause by itself does not produce psychological symptoms.

True

8-195. There is no correlation between a woman’s expectations about menopause and her experience with menopause.

False

8-197. Men experience the equivalent of menopause: the male climacteric.

False

8-79. Memory is traditionally viewed in terms of three sequential components consisting of all of the following EXCEPT __________.

a) short-term memory
b) sequential memory
c) sensory memory
d) long-term memory

B

8-80. The initial, momentary storage of information that is recorded as a raw and meaningless stimulus is called __________.

a) short-term memory
b) sequential memory
c) sensory memory
d) long-term memory

C

8-81. When information is held in memory for 15 to 25 seconds, it is called __________.

a) short-term memory
b) sequential memory
c) sensory memory
d) long-term memory

A

8-82. When information is rehearsed and stored in memory on a relatively permanent basis, it is called __________.

a) short-term memory
b) sequential memory
c) sensory memory
d) long-term memory

D

8-83. Mary looks at the phone number of her favorite pizza restaurant for a few seconds, then walks into the other room to call to order. Mary remembers the phone number in its correct sequence. Mary is taking advantage of __________.

a) short-term memory
b) sequential memory
c) sensory memory
d) long-term memory

A

8-84. Rasheed is memorizing his math multiplication tables by using flash cards. He does this frequently enough that eventually he does not need the visual stimulation of the cards to remember his multiplication tables for a test. Rasheed is taking advantage of __________.

a) short-term memory
b) sequential memory
c) sensory memory
d) long-term memory

D

8-85. Which of the following memory skills show decline for some people in middle age?

a) Long-term memory and sensory memory
b) Sensory memory and short-term memory
c) Short-term memory only
d) Long-term memory only

D

8-210. Short-term memory is also referred to as working memory.

True

8-211. Short-term memory stores information for several minutes.

False

8-213. Short-term memory weakens with age, while long-term memory improves.

False

8-78. Which of the following is true regarding memory loss in middle-aged people?

a) All middle-aged people can expect to experience significant memory loss.
b) Middle-aged people may attribute absentmindedness to aging, even though they have actually been absentminded most of their lives.
c) All middle-aged people will experience some memory loss starting in their 40s, with memory loss stabilizing around 70.
d) Middle-aged people have memory loss for different things.

B

8-86. What is the best explanation for why some middle-aged people have some long-term memory loss?

a) Middle-aged people have too much information stored; therefore, it is difficult to keep it all in long-term memory.
b) Middle-aged people have too much stress in their lives, which impedes their ability to use their long-term memory capacity.
c) Middle-aged people have less efficient skills for finding and retrieving information even if the information was adequately stored in long-term memory.
d) Middle-aged people’s learning genes begin to deteriorate, which leads to long-term memory loss.

C

What work did Shaie find in regards to numeric ability with age? Verbal ability?
8-68. According to developmental psychologist K. Warner Schaie, inductive reasoning, spatial orientation, perceptual speed, and verbal memory begin to gradually decline beginning around age __________.

a) 25
b) 30
c) 40
d) 50

A

8-69. According to developmental psychologist K. Warner Schaie, numeric ability tends to increase until the __________, and then stays steady.

a) mid-50s, is lower at age 60
b) mid-40s, is lower at age 60
c) mid-30s, is lower at age 60
d) mid-20s, is lower at age 60

B

8-70. According to developmental psychologist K. Warner Schaie, verbal ability rises until about the start of the __________, then stays fairly steady.

a) 30s
b) 40s
c) 50s
d) 60s

B

8-66. Intelligence that represents the accumulation of information, skills, and strategies that people have learned through experience and that they can apply in problem-solving situations is called __________.

a) crystallized intelligence
b) verbal intelligence
c) fluid intelligence
d) perceptual intelligence

A

8-67. When developmentalists looked at the two kinds of intelligence, fluid and crystallized, to determine if intelligence continues to grow, slow, or decline with age, they determined that __________.

a) fluid intelligence does decline; however, crystallized intelligence holds steady and can improve.
b) crystallized intelligence does decline; however, fluid intelligence holds steady and can improve.
c) both fluid and crystallized intelligences decline with age.
d) both fluid and crystallized intelligences improve with age.

A

8-208. Fluid intelligence increases with age, while crystallized intelligence declines.

False

8-65. Intelligence that reflects information-processing capabilities, reasoning, and memory is called __________.

a) crystallized intelligence
b) verbal intelligence
c) fluid intelligence
d) perceptual intelligence

C

8-207. Older people are less likely than younger people to score well on traditional intelligence tests.

True

8-64. Based on longitudinal studies, a different developmental pattern for intelligence was revealed that showed which of the following?

a) Adults tended to show fairly stable intelligence until their mid-20s.
b) Adults tended to show increasing intelligence test scores until their mid-40s.
c) Adults tended to show increasing intelligence test scores in some cases up to their mid-50s.
d) Adults’ intelligence significantly slowed around their mid-30s.

C

8-63. What is a likely explanation for the results from cross-sectional studies showing that older people are less likely to score as well as younger subjects on traditional intelligence tests?

a) Improper administration of testing
b) Cohort effects
c) Testing bias
d) Improper test design

B

8-97. Erik Erikson suggested that middle adulthood encompasses a period he characterized as __________, in which a person feels that he/she is or is not making a contribution to family and community.

a) midlife crisis
b) life events models
c) normative-crisis model
d) generativity versus stagnation stage

D

8-98. When middle-aged people focus on work that is directed toward others rather than themselves, Erik Erikson called this __________.

a) life events models
b) generativity
c) midlife crisis
d) normative-crisis models

B

8-99. According to Erikson, if a middle-aged person is focused on the triviality of his/her own activities and not on being involved with family and society, he/she is likely to experience all of the following EXCEPT __________.

a) seeking new and potentially more fulfilling careers
b) frustration and boredom
c) satisfaction and inner peace
d) feelings of floundering

C

8-110. Which two developmental psychologists believed that there is a substantial change in personality over time, and that change follows a set, predictable pattern?

a) Gould and Levinson
b) Erikson and Levinson
c) Costa and McCrae
d) Vaillant and Helson

B

8-100. Which developmental psychologist believed that the period between the ages of 45 and 55 is important regarding "keeping the meaning" versus rigidity?

a) Erikson
b) Gould
c) Vaillant
d) Levinson

C

8-101. According to Vaillant, what does "keeping the meaning" mean?

a) Adults seek to extract meaning from their lives and accept the strengths and weaknesses of others.
b) Adults seek to distinguish truths from non-truths in their lives.
c) Adults seek to maintain the history of their family as legacy for their offspring.
d) Adults seek to make significant changes in their world before they become too old to make a difference.

A

8-102. Which psychologist agrees that adults move through a series of stages and potential crises but believes they also pass through seven stages associated with specific age periods?

a) Erikson
b) Gould
c) Vaillant
d) Levinson

B

8-103. According to Gould’s stages of development, which stage is associated with the period of urgency to attain life’s goals, the awareness of time limitations, and the realignment of life’s goals?

a) Stage 3
b) Stage 4
c) Stage 5
d) Stage 6

C

8-104. Which psychologist developed the "seasons of life" theory, in which men in their early 40s are in a period of transition and crisis?

a) Erikson
b) Gould
c) Vaillant
d) Levinson

D

8-105. According to Levinson, people around the age of 40-45 move into a period/time of questioning called __________ and focus on the finite nature of life; they begin to question everyday fundamental assumptions.

a) midlife crisis
b) midlife transition
c) generativity versus stagnation stage
d) normative-crisis models

B

8-106. According to Levinson, what is the period of uncertainty and indecision that people go through at around age 40 or 45, that is brought about by the realization that life is finite?

a) Midlife crisis
b) Midlife transition
c) Generativity-versus-stagnation stage
d) The normative-crisis model

A

8-215. Daniel Levinson’s theories on midlife crisis were based largely on studies of women.

False

8-217. Research substantiates that the passage into middle age is full of psychological turmoil called the midlife crisis.

False

8-218. The evidence for a midlife crisis experience is no more compelling than the evidence for a stormy adolescence.

True

8-95. Theorist Ravenna Helson focuses on __________, which suggest that it is the particular events in an adult’s life, rather than age per se, that determine the course of personality development.

a) normative-crisis models
b) generativity-versus-stagnation stages
c) midlife crises
d) life events models

D

8-96. Winona is a 22-year-old new mother, and Anna is a 38-year-old new mother. According to Ravenna Helson’s theory, the __________, both of these women may experience similar psychological forces based on their shared experience of being a new mother regardless of their ages.

a) midlife crisis
b) life events models
c) normative-crisis models
d) generativity versus stagnation

B

8-112. Which of the following are known as the "Big Five" major clusters of personality traits/characteristics?

a) Selfishness, shyness, aggressiveness, neuroticism, and self-confidence
b) Neuroticism, extroversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness
c) Likability, extroversion, aggressiveness, self-confidence, and trustworthiness
d) Loyalty, self-confidence, openness, deceptiveness, and aggression

B

8-113. Which of the "Big Five" major clusters of personality traits/characteristics pertains to the degree to which a person is moody, anxious, and self-critical?

a) Extroversion
b) Openness
c) Conscientiousness
d) Neuroticism

D

8-114. Which of the "Big Five" major clusters of personality traits/characteristics pertains to the degree to which a person is outgoing or shy?

a) Extraversion
b) Openness
c) Conscientiousness
d) Neuroticism

A

8-115. Which of the "Big Five" major clusters of personality traits/characteristics pertains to the degree to which a person demonstrates curiosity and interest in new experiences?

a) Extroversion
b) Openness
c) Conscientiousness
d) Neuroticism

B

8-116. Which of the "Big Five" major clusters of personality traits/characteristics pertains to the degree to which a person is easygoing and helpful?

a) Extroversion
b) Openness
c) Conscientiousness
d) Agreeableness

D

8-117. Which of the "Big Five" major clusters of personality traits/characteristics pertains to the degree to which a person is organized and responsible?

a) Extroversion
b) Openness
c) Conscientiousness
d) Agreeableness

C

8-118. The "Big Five" major clusters of personality traits/characteristics that decline somewhat from early adulthood through middle adulthood do not include __________.

a) neuroticism
b) agreeableness
c) extroversion
d) openness

B

8-119. When reviewing findings across cultures, which of the "Big Five" major clusters of personality traits/characteristics increase to a degree from early adulthood through middle age?

a) Neuroticism and agreeableness
b) Extroversion and openness
c) Agreeableness and conscientiousness
d) Conscientiousness and openness

C

8-56. Behavior that is characterized by competitiveness, impatience, and a tendency toward frustration and hostility is called a __________ behavior pattern.

a) Type B
b) Type D
c) Type A
d) polyphasic

C

8-203. Research indicates that men with a Type A behavior pattern have the same rate of heart and coronary disease as men with a Type B behavior pattern.

False

8-57. Behavior characterized by noncompetitiveness, patience, and a lack of aggression is called a __________ behavior pattern.

a) Type B
b) Type D
c) Type A
d) polyphasic

A

8-164. Critics who argue that immigrants lack the technical knowledge to contribute to the U.S. economy fail to see some fundamental aspects of immigrant success, including all of the following EXCEPT __________.

a) most legal and illegal immigrants eventually succeed financially
b) few immigrants come to the United States to get on welfare
c) immigrants eventually contribute more to the U.S. economy than they take away
d) most immigrants eventually marry into native-born American families

D

8-243. Most legal and illegal immigrants become financially successful in the United States because they are highly motivated.

True

8-244. Nonrefugee immigrants who are old enough to work are less likely to be on welfare than native-born U.S. citizens.

True

8-124. Although the overall divorce rate has declined in the past two decades, divorce among __________ couples is rising.

a) elderly
b) middle-aged
c) young-adult
d) teen

B

8-225. The overall divorce rate has declined in the last two decades.

True

8-227. Research shows that the divorce rate for second marriages is lower than for first marriages.

False

8-120. Kaitlyn and Sam have agreed to participate in marriage counseling. They have been married for 5 years and report they have become bored with their marriage. Initially, what can the marriage therapist tell them regarding the "ups and downs" of marriage?

a) They will need to improve their communication skills to discuss issues.
b) Marital satisfaction declines if couples do not engage in fun activities.
c) Marital satisfaction begins to decline just after marriage and continues to fall until it reaches its lowest point following the birth of children.
d) Couples should spend more time with other married couples to engage in decision making.

C

8-121. Most research regarding marital satisfaction __________.

a) substantiates the "U-shaped" pattern in which marital satisfaction is high at the beginning, drops down around the birth of children, and then gradually rises back to its original high level
b) questions the "U-shape," suggesting that the upturn in the U shape may be illusory, and that marital dissatisfaction continues to decline throughout life
c) is not conclusive regarding the U-shape and marital satisfaction, but seems to substantiate that women are more satisfied than men
d) is not conclusive regarding the U-shape and marital satisfaction, but seems to substantiate that men are more satisfied than women

A

8-122. Which of the following is NOT a reason why men and women cite high levels of satisfaction with their marriage?

a) They state that their spouse is their best friend.
b) Marriage involves a long-term commitment with shared aims and goals.
c) They state that their spouse has sex with them as often as they want.
d) Their spouse has grown more interesting over the course of the marriage.

C

8-131. All of the following may be contributing factors to the higher percentage of second marriages that end in divorce EXCEPT __________.

a) second marriages may be subject to higher stress (such as blending two families) than first marriages
b) personality and emotional characteristics may make it difficult to live together
c) partners in second marriages may be less committed and more willing to walk away
d) partners are experiencing the empty nest syndrome

D

8-132. Which term refers to parents’ feelings of unhappiness, worry, loneliness, and depression resulting from their children’s departure from home?

a) Midlife crisis
b) Normative crisis model
c) Empty nest syndrome
d) Life events model

C

8-133. After Kathy and Bob’s son leaves for college, they have feelings of unhappiness, worry, loneliness, and depression. They are experiencing __________.

a) midlife crisis
b) empty nest syndrome
c) sandwich generation
d) boomerang children

B

8-135. Which of the following is NOT a common reason why boomerang children return home to live with middle-aged parents?

a) Divorce
b) Economic reasons
c) Lack of employment or underemployment
d) Parents experiencing empty nest syndrome

D

8-229. Research suggests that fathers do NOT experience "empty nest syndrome" when their children leave home.

False

8-136. Middle-aged couples who must fulfill the needs of both their children and their aging parents are called __________.

a) empty nest parents
b) the sandwich generation
c) the midlife crisis generation
d) the normative crisis generation

B

8-137. Juanita is feeling stressed today because her children need help with their homework and her elderly parents need someone to take them grocery shopping. Juanita is a member of the __________ generation.

a) empty nest
b) sandwich
c) midlife crisis
d) normative crisis

B

8-138. All of the following are factors that contribute to the phenomenon called the "sandwich generation" EXCEPT __________.

a) men and women are marrying later
b) in general, people are living longer
c) societies are becoming less and less accepting of people who do not care for their parents in their older years
d) people are having children at a later age

C

8-230. Being part of the sandwich generation is not a new phenomenon.

False

8-134. Young adults who return to live in the homes of their middle-aged parents are called __________.

a) midlife crisis
b) empty nest syndrome
c) sandwich generation
d) boomerang children

D

8-140. "Companionate" grandparents usually are characterized by all of the following EXCEPT __________.

a) they do not take responsibility for their grandchildren
b) they call and visit their grandchildren and occasionally take them on vacation without the parents
c) they act as supporters and buddies to their grandchildren
d) they hold clear expectations about the way their grandchildren should behave

D

8-141. "Remote" grandparents are typically characterized by all of the following EXCEPT __________.

a) they are detached and distant from their grandchildren
b) they rarely visit with their grandchildren and show little interest
c) they hold clear expectations about the way their grandchildren behave
d) they might complain about their grandchildren’s childish behavior when they see them

C

8-142. "Involved" grandparents typically do all of the following EXCEPT __________.

a) actively engage in grandparenting and influence their grandchildren’s lives
b) act as supporters and buddies to their grandchildren
c) hold clear expectations about the way their grandchildren should behave
d) take care of their grandchildren several days a week while the parents are at work

B

8-143. Which group is most likely to be involved in their grandchildren’s care?

a) African American grandparents
b) Caucasian American grandparents
c) Native American grandparents
d) Asian American grandparents

A

8-144. African American grandparents are more likely to be involved in their grandchildren’s care for all the following reasons EXCEPT __________.

a) there is a greater prevalence of multigenerational households among African Americans
b) African American households are more likely to be headed by single parents
c) African American grandparents have more leisure time
d) single-parent African American households depend more on the grandparents to provide child care during the day

C

8-147. What percentage of women physically abuse their husbands?

a) 8 percent
b) 10 percent
c) 15 percent
d) 20 percent

A

8-148. Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to spousal abuse?

a) Large families with continuing economic concerns
b) Large families with high levels of verbal aggression
c) Multigenerational families living in one household
d) Parents who grew up in violent families themselves

C

8-235. In the United States, only women of very low status are subjected to spousal abuse.

False

8-238. The cycle of violence theory explains the full story of how abuse and neglect occur.

False

8-74. The acquisition of skill or knowledge in a particular area is called __________.

a) expertise
b) sensory memory
c) long-term memory
d) selective optimization

A

8-75. When Walter devotes attention and practice to completing tax returns and has gained experience in that area, he is demonstrating __________.

a) expertise
b) sensory memory
c) long-term memory
d) selective optimization

A

8-76. People with expertise are likely to demonstrate all of the following EXCEPT __________.

a) use of different neural pathways to solve problems
b) greater flexibility in approaching problems
c) automatic processing of information
d) limited ability to transfer these skills to other areas

D

8-77. All of the following affect whether or not a person develops expertise EXCEPT __________.

a) professional responsibilities
b) educational level
c) amount of leisure time
d) discrimination

D

7-61. According to Schaie, late adulthood marks a period in which people no longer focus on acquiring knowledge to solve potential problems, but rather focus on acquiring information directed toward issues of personal interest. He calls this the __________ stage.

a) responsible
b) executive
c) reintegrative
d) acquisitive

C