CHAPTER 17 - OLDER ADULTHOOD: PERSONALITY AND SOCIOCULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

What are the two major reasons the Medicare will become increasingly strained in the next decade?

1. More people will reach age 65 2. health-care costs are largest at the end of life

Suggest two major reasons why there are more widows than widowers.

1. Women live longer 2. Men tend ro marry younger women

Social security

A U.S government pension program of forced savings through payroll deductions from working adults' income and corporate contributions, with money disbursed to the adults after they reach a certain minimum age , usually at retirement.

Medicare

A U.S government program subsidized by taxes that provides payment for many basic health-care services and some of the cost of the drugs needed by older adults.

Integrity vs. despair

According to Erikson, the final developmental task in the lifespan when people thing about how their lives have fulfilled their earlier expectations.

Do older married couples generally report an increase or a decrease in marital satisfaction when their children leave home?

An increase

Generally, do widows or widowers have a harder time adjusting to the death of a spouse?

Widowers

retirement maturity

a measure of how well prepared a person is to retire

Aja has always been concerned about her looks and other personal attributes. Her self-acceptance is very low. Knowing this about Aja, which of the following might you expect Aja to say about herself? a. "I am dissatisfied with myself and wish I could be more like someone else." b. "I have very positive relations with other people." c. "I have a strong sense of my own autonomy." d. "I am satisfied with my personal growth."

a. "I am dissatisfied with myself and wish I could be more like someone else."

About _____ of older adults live below the poverty level and ______ rely on Social Security. a. 10%; 65% b. 30%; 75% c. 20%; 60% d. 25%; 80%

a. 10%; 65%

What is the approximate percentage of people age 65 and older who reside in nursing homes? a. 4% b. 9% c. 18% d. 25%

a. 4%

How does Ryff differentiate between the lack of stress and overall well-being? a. He says well-being is not just the absence of illness and stress, it is the presence of several positive qualities, attitudes, and coping methods. b. He says well-being is dependent upon family and friends who give support but this has no effect on stress reduction. c. He says the ability to negotiate and address conflicts is the key to both low stress and well-being. d. He says well-being requires consistency in personality, but eliminating stress does not.

a. He says well-being is not just the absence of illness and stress, it is the presence of several positive qualities, attitudes, and coping methods.

Marsha became terminally ill. She needed a great deal of care during her last few months. This task was most likely done by a. Marsha's husband b. home health aides c. friends and neighbors d. respite organizations

a. Marsha's husband

An elderly widow is angry with her children for telling her she should not live alone in her home anymore, because she fell recently. She blames the fall on inadequate lighting and claims that if her children did some house repairs, she could stay in her house. This woman's inability to deal with her changed circumstances reflects her difficulty in which of the following processes? Select one: a. accommodation b. assimilation c. achieving intimacy with herself d. making a successful status passage into older adulthood

a. accommodation

Over the next 30 years, the age at which a person can elect to begin withdrawing social security benefits will _____ a. increase b. remain the same c. decrease

a. increase

The percentage of grandparents who are providing care for grandchildren under the age of 18 a. increased between 1980 and 2009 and is continuing to increase. b. increased between 1980 and 2009 but is expected to decrease. c. has stayed the same between 1980 and 2009. d. decreased between 1980 and 2009.

a. increased between 1980 and 2009 and is continuing to increase.

Which of the following is the final stage in Erikson's theory of the life cycle? Select one: a. integrity versus despair b. generativity versus self-absorption c. intimacy versus isolation d. identity versus identity confusion

a. integrity versus despair

According to a 2010 study, the total number of older adult women who were widows was ________ the number of older adult men who were widowers in the United States. a. more than 3 times b. 10 times c. twice as many as d. at least 15 times

a. more than 3 times

The term some retirement counselors use to measure how prepared a person is to retire is a. retirement maturity. b. historical contexts. c. delayed gratification. d. economic status.

a. retirement maturity.

Which of the following is most likely to be the caregiver for an older adult? a. spouse b. oldest child c. oldest male child d. female child

a. spouse

Theories that emphasize the differences that exist between different periods of the lifespan are often referred to as ____ a. stage theories b. consistency theories c. theories of accommodation d. lifespan models

a. stage theories

About what percentage of U.S adults today choose to retire in the traditional sense? a. 10% b. 33% c. 50% d. 67%

b. 33%

Although better health and longer lifespans give many people a wider range of retirement choices, about _____ of older adults still choose to retire in the traditional sense. a. 75% b. 33% c. 20% d. 50%

b. 33%

While there were only 3.1 million older adults in the United States in 1900. By 2050, this segment of the population is expected to grow to over ________ million people and represent _________ people. a. 150; 3 in every 5 b. 80; 1 in every 5 c. 20; 1 in every 10 d. 50; 2 in every 10

b. 80; 1 in every 5

________ are the fastest growing non-institutional, long-term care alternatives for frail, older adults in the United States. a. Restricted-mobility facilities b. Assisted-living facilities c. Nursing homes d. Retirement communities

b. Assisted-living facilities

________ is a U.S. government program subsidized by taxes that provides payment for many basic health-care services and some of the costs for prescription drugs needed by older people. a. Medicaid b. Medicare c. Social Security d. AARP

b. Medicare

Ted and Lana are about to be "empty nesters." What can they expect as far as changes in their relationship? a. They will likely have no initial difficulty adjusting to each other as a couple, but they should expect increased stress and decreased feelings of satisfaction and harmony as time goes on. b. There may be some initial difficulty adjusting to each other as a couple, but they should expect decreased stress and increased feelings of satisfaction and harmony. c. They should expect that they will have increasing disappointment with one another that could lead to divorce. d. They will likely experience no real changes, and the relationship should continue as it is now.

b. There may be some initial difficulty adjusting to each other as a couple, but they should expect decreased stress and increased feelings of satisfaction and harmony.

By 2050, the ___ population is expected to decrease and _____ population is expected to see the most growth. a. White; Asian b. White; Hispanic c. Black; Asian d. Asian; Hispanic

b. White; Hispanic

If you were to choose one word to describe adults in the period defined by the text as "older adulthood," the best choice would be: Select one: a. frail b. diverse c. backward-focused d. depressed

b. diverse

Although many losses are associated with older adulthood, this life stage is also associated with a. greater happiness. b. freedom from responsibilities, which might include work and child-rearing responsibilities. c. more autonomy. d. new relationships and friendships that replace old ones.

b. freedom from responsibilities, which might include work and child-rearing responsibilities.

The high rates of divorce and remarriage have increased stress in families and this has made ________ more complex as families struggle to cope with multiple disruptions and stressors. a. child-rearing activities b. kinship patterns c. attitudes toward retirement d. social context

b. kinship patterns

For men who are age 75-84, the most common marital status is __________; for women in the age range the most common marital status is ___________. Select one: a. widowed; widowed b. married; widowed c. widowed; married d. married; married

b. married; widowed

Compared to people who are in their 60s and 70s, the oldest old tend to die _______ as a result of an illness, and are _____ to require prolonged hospitalization. a. more slowly; more likely b. more suddenly; less likely c. more slowly; less likely d. more slowly; equally likely

b. more suddenly; less likely

Between 1980 and 1997 the number of grandchildren who lived in households maintained by grandparents a. showed a slight decrease b. more than doubled c. more than tripled d. showed a slight increase

b. more than doubled

If you were to describe the emotionality of the majority of older adults, the best conclusion to come to would be that, compared to earlier in their lives, their emotionality is ______ complex and their sense of well-being is _________. Select one; a. more; lower b. more; greater c. less; lower d. less; greater

b. more; greater

Which sub-group of older adults is most likely to experience ill health, limited mobility and social isolation? a. young-old b. old-old c. middle-old d. baby boomers

b. old-old

Fahim resides in a nursing home. His fellow residents are most likely to be a. under the age of 80; married; and have some mental impairment. b. over the age of 85; single; and have some mental impairment. c. under the age of 85; single; and have no mental impairments. d. over the age of 90; single; and have diabetes.

b. over the age of 85; single; and have some mental impairment.

The proportion of White older adults in the U.S. population is ____ a. becoming larger b. remaining constant c. becoming smaller

b. remaining constant

Changes in role and social position are called ________, and they mark the transitions a person makes from one period of the lifespan to the next. a. individual variables b. status passages c. developmental stages d. assimilations

b. status passages

As Daniela aged, she realized that she no longer desired to maintain many of her casual friendships. If she is typical of others in her life stage, a. she will avoid long distance relationships because they are too difficult to maintain. b. the friendships she chooses to maintain will not diminish in their intensity. c. she will choose to reduce the number of her close friendships as well. d. the friendships she chooses to maintain will diminish in their intensity and value to her over time.

b. the friendships she chooses to maintain will not diminish in their intensity.

If you conducted a random survey of older people who were living alone after a spouse had died, and of the people you surveyed 100 were men, you should expect that your survey group included about _____ women. Select one: a. 80 b. 120 c. 300 d. 600

c. 300

By age 85, about what percentage of women are widows? a. 33% b. 50% c. 75% d. 95%

c. 75%

According to Erik Erikson, what defines the last developmental stage in older adulthood? a. Self-evaluation, which deals with hopes for the future of one's family. b. Self-evaluation, which deals with regrets about how we have fulfilled life expectations. c. Integrity versus despair, which deals with reflections about how we have fulfilled life expectations. d. Integrity versus despair, which deals with anticipations about how we will fulfill future life expectations.

c. Integrity versus despair, which deals with reflections about how we have fulfilled life expectations.

________ refer(s) to the changes in role or social position that occur when a person enters adolescence, becomes a parent, retires, or becomes a widow or widower. a. Continuity b. Maintaining identity c. Status passages d. Emotional development

c. Status passages

Tara and Lou, both older adults, have recently become widowed. However, because there are differences in typical survival rates for men and women after losing a spouse, Tara and Lou are faced with different predictions about the rest of their lives. Which statement below best illustrates what they each can expect? a. Lou can expect to outlive Tara because widowers tend to live longer than widows. b. Older widowed men and widowed have the same chance of longevity so neither can be certain to outlive the other. c. Tara can expect to outlive Lou because widows tend to live longer than widowers. d. Tara can expect to outlive Lou by twice as many years because women live much longer than men.

c. Tara can expect to outlive Lou because widows tend to live longer than widowers.

According to the text, which of the following is generally not true of older adults compared with younger adults? a. They have fewer mood swings. b. They have a greater ability to control their emotions. c. They broaden their social network and number of acquaintances. d. They experience less agitation.

c. They broaden their social network and number of acquaintances.

Maria is elderly and able to perform most functions. However, she also needs some supervision and physical therapy. Fortunately, she has a income from her stocks and bonds. Her best option would be a. a nursing home b. a retirement community c. a day-care center d. her own home

c. a day-care center

Mr. Jones has suffered a severe stroke that has left him unable to walk, speak, or dress and feed himself. He needs nursing care for several hours a day, but his wife has died and his adult son lives 1,000 miles away. Which of the following options would most likely be the type of living arrangement that would best serve Mr. Jones's needs? Select one: a. an adult daycare facility b. an assisted living facility c. a nursing home d. an Elderhostel

c. a nursing home

In a national survey of older Americans reported in the text, adults age 65 and over rated their health and well-being. The most accurate conclusion to be drawn from the data reported would be that _______ of the people in this study reported that their health was good to excellent and Black Americans reported _______ levels of health than did White Americans: Select one: a. less than half; lower b. less than half; higher c. about three-quarters; lower d. about three-quarters; higher

c. about three-quarters; lower

Zoe has been described as experiencing a high degree of personal autonomy. Zoe lives up to this description when she to exhibits a. positive feelings about her younger life b. a tendency to set goals and have a sense of direction. c. an ability to resist social pressure, or pressure to conform. d. success at any job she undertakes.

c. an ability to resist social pressure, or pressure to conform.

If Julie were the youngest child in her family and the last to leave home, she should expect that the stress her parents feel after she moves away will ______ and their level of marital satisfaction will _______. Select one: a. increase; increase b. increase; decrease c. decrease; increase d. decrease; decrease

c. decrease; increase

Adele's opinions illustrate her certainty and confidence. She often says, "I would never do that." In speaking with such certainty she is a. demonstrating environmental mastery. b. declaring her disbelief in the need for autonomy. c. demonstrating continuity, a sense of who and what she is. d. declaring her belief in the need for personal growth.

c. demonstrating continuity, a sense of who and what she is.

In comparison to retirement rates in the 1980s and 1990s, the current percentage of adults ages 65 through 69 who are continuing to work as a. decreased b. remained steady c. increased

c. increased

The Gray Panthers would endorse all of the following except a. better transportation for the elderly b. political activism to improve the lives of older people c. lower retirement age for Social Security d. reduced stereotyping of older people

c. lower retirement age for Social Security

Agnes, age 90, has become more aware of the fragility of human life as she ages. Because of this, she will likely a. make more friends as she grows older to replace the ones she has lost. b. be more careful about the friends she allow to become close to her. c. make greater investment in emotionally close relationships. d. keep her current friendships but find that they fade in emotional intensity.

c. make greater investment in emotionally close relationships.

Happy marriages that survive into older adulthood typically are ____ egalitarian and ___ cooperative a. more;less b. less; more c. more;more d. less;less

c. more;more

The Life Center operated by Quakers is unusual because a. residents do not have to be screened for competence in activities of daily living. b. residents are placed in age-specific groups. c. people of mixed ages, including children, live there. d. it is a paid for by the government.

c. people of mixed ages, including children, live there.

A person is open to new experiences is reflecting the dimension of ____ in well-being in adulthood. a. positive relations with other people b. environmental mastery c. personal growth d. autonomy

c. personal growth

Questions that assess a person's best time for retirement provide an index of Select one: a. functional well-being b. openness to experience c. retirement maturity d. emotional health

c. retirement maturity

Frank says that he doesn't like having to use a walker, but at least he's in better shape than his brother, who must use a wheelchair. Frank's statement exemplifies the basic principle involved in: Select one: a. integrity b. despair c. social comparison d. conflict resolution

c. social comparison

Samantha is 70 years old and feels that her overall health and well-being are excellent. She knows that she is doing better than her friend Hazel, who is overweight. Samantha is using _____ when she considers that she is doing better than Hazel. a. Atchley's six stages of retirement b. Ryff's six components of well-being c. social comparison d. good judgment

c. social comparison

Comparing typical personality characteristics of older age adults, one can say that in general a. all personality traits remain constant throughout the life span. b. some traits, like a tendency toward extroversion, may increase, while others, like openness to new events, decrease. c. some traits, like a tendency toward introversion, may increase, while others, like agreeableness and openness to new events, increase or stays the same. d. all personality traits become more pronounced over the lifespan.

c. some traits, like a tendency toward introversion, may increase, while others, like agreeableness and openness to new events, increase or stays the same.

There are concerns about the long-term viability Social Security and Medicare because of a. the use of individual insurance programs and Medicaid. b. the medical system and the number of doctors available. c. the rapid increase in the number and proportion of older adults in the U.S. d. the low number of available nursing homes in this country.

c. the rapid increase in the number and proportion of older adults in the U.S.

In the immediate aftermath of the death of a spouse, both widows and widowers are most likely to depend heavily on ______ for assistance. a. their grandchildren b. both their children and grandchildren c. their children, especially if they have daughters d. a sibling

c. their children, especially if they have daughters

All of the following account for the high percentage of widows age 85 and older except a. cultural attitudes toward remarriage. b. their younger age at marriage. c. their older age at marriage. d. longevity of women.

c. their older age at marriage.

Social Security benefits are given to those who have contributed, but only after which of the following requirements has been met? a. they have worked a minimum of 50% of their lifespan b. they have worked at the same job for at least 5 years c. they have reached a certain minimum age requirement d. they have reached a certain minimum dollar amount in their contributions to the program

c. they have reached a certain minimum age requirement

Widowed men are more likely than widowed women to be depressed before the death of a spouse and to have more trouble coping after because a. widowed men often are not prepared for the adjustment of moving in with family. b. widowed women are often financially more secure than widowed men. c. widowed men often have a smaller support network to help them cope. d. widowed women often remarry soon after the loss of a spouse.

c. widowed men often have a smaller support network to help them cope.

Marvin is 72 years old. Statistically, he is most likely to live a. with relatives. b. alone. c. with his spouse. d. with friends.

c. with his spouse.

In 1900, about 1 in ___ people were older adults; in 2010, this proportion rose to 1 in ___; by 2050, it will be 1 in ___ a. 100;30;8 b. 50;15;3 c. 100;50;10 d. 25;8;5

d. 25;8;5

Which age group is most represented in nursing homes? a. 60 to 65 b. 65-70 c. 70-75 d. 85 and older

d. 85 and older

John had to move to a new city and make all new friends. This was very difficult for him. John's therapist told him he was having a problem with continuity. Referencing the meaning of the term continuity, which of John's perceptions and behaviors might have led the therapist to his conclusion? a. John doesn't like to meet new people because he is suspicious of them. b. John doesn't like change because unpredictability makes him feel uncomfortable. c. John doesn't like moving because it costs a lot of money. d. John doesn't like change because it makes him have to change his habits.

d. John doesn't like change because it makes him have to change his habits.

________ typically is the most significant status change of later adulthood. a. Divorce b. Occupation c. Economic status d. Retirement

d. Retirement

Jane was hesitant when her daughters wanted her to sell her house and move to a new retirement community. According to the text,what might she have learned about the facility that may have given her a more positive attitude about it? a. The cost would be paid for by her insurance coverage. b. People of all ages would live there. c. A nurse would always be on call. d. She would have her own accommodations.

d. She would have her own accommodations.

________ provide(s) the largest proportion of retirement income for most older adults. a. AARP b. 401Ks c. Pensions d. Social Security

d. Social Security

________ can increase older people's well-being because they look at their situation and relate it to others who may have a poorer quality of life. a. Preoccupied evaluations b. Accommodation c. Assimilation d. Social comparison

d. Social comparison

In the United States today, about what percent of the population continues to work part-time or return to work following retirement? Select one: a. about 3% b. about 10% c. about 33% d. about 50%

d. about 50%

According to statistics reported in the text, the fastest-growing segment of the U. S. population is: Select one: a. adults age 55-64 b. adults age 65-74 c. adults age 75-84 d. adults age 85 and over

d. adults age 85 and over

When is it advisable for an older person to spend a short period of time in a nursing home? a. before they move to a retirement community b. before they decide to go into an assisted living facility c. after they have ended a stay at day-care center d. after they have been hospitalized

d. after they have been hospitalized

According to Piaget, if new events and changing circumstances can be absorbed into one's self-concept, this defines the process called: Select one: a. equilibration b. accommodation c. integrity d. assimilation

d. assimilation

Raoul has a strong sense of ego integrity. While facing the challenges of older adulthood, he will be able to rely on his a. clear and consistent memory, and his strong psychological and social attributes. b. clear and consistent memory, and his strong physical attributes. c. inconsistent view of his physical, psychological, and social attributes. d. clear and consistent view of his physical, psychological, and social attributes.

d. clear and consistent view of his physical, psychological, and social attributes.

The most important factor in determining satisfaction in older adulthood is a person's a. financial age b. gender c. age d. health

d. health

According to one study, which group fared best in retirement? a. healthy men who were forced to retire b. men who retired after the age of 70 c. unhealthy men who wanted to retire d. healthy men who wanted to retire

d. healthy men who wanted to retire

Ernesto is getting ready to retire. An important influence on how he experiences this life transition will depend on a. his personal identity and how much of his overall self-worth and self-esteem were attached to that identity. b. his social circumstances and how much of his overall self-worth and self-esteem depend on others. c. his occupational role and how much of his overall self-worth and self-esteem determined that role. d. his attitude toward work and how much of his overall self-worth and self-esteem were attached to that role.

d. his attitude toward work and how much of his overall self-worth and self-esteem were attached to that role.

Which of the following expenses does Medicare currently cover, in whole or in part? Select one: a. hospital visits, but not physician charges or medication costs b. physician charges and medication costs, but not hospital visits c. hospital visits and physician charges, but not medication costs d. hospital visits, physician charges, and medication costs

d. hospital visits, physician charges, and medication costs

When she is honest with herself, Judy recognizes that she has wasted many of the opportunities that could have led her to a positive lifestyle. In this respect, Judy is engaging in the developmental task that Erikson thought characterized which of the following periods of the lifespan? Select one: a. adolescence b. early adulthood c. middle adulthood d. later adulthood

d. later adulthood

Most contemporary theorists tend to agree that adjustment to older adulthood depends upon a. a greater sense of well-being. b. paying attention to more positive information than to more negative information. c. maintaining dignity and an integrated self in the face of physical deterioration. d. personality styles that developed earlier in life.

d. personality styles that developed earlier in life.

Harry was struggling with retirement. His wife's illness had taken much of their savings. Harry also missed his colleagues. According to Atchley, Harry is in which phase of retirement? a. phase 2: Retirement b. phase 5: Termination of Retirement c. phase 4: Reorientation d. phase 3: Disenchantment

d. phase 3: Disenchantment

According to the text, widowers, more than widows, tend to a. live with their children. b. have active social lives. c. have a broad support network. d. suffer depression.

d. suffer depression.

Jane is surprised to learn that her income for most of her career was quite low, because when she thinks back she remembers making more money than she actually did. Jane's memory distortion is best considered to be an example of: Select one: a. the negativity effect b. state-dependent memory c. episodic drift d. the positivity effect

d. the positivity effect

The text describes a study of older adults who experienced major negative changes to their health and living circumstances. As these people adjusted, they usually did so by: Select one: a. becoming very, very angry and bitter b. denying that their new circumstances were permanent c. giving up and becoming totally dependent on others, to a degree greater than necessary d. thinking more about the past than the present

d. thinking more about the past than the present

If a family chooses to care for an older relative in the evenings and overnight but wishes to place the person in a managed care facility during the workday, their best option would most likely be a(n)

day-care center

In older adulthood, do people tend to have fewer friends or more friends than they did in early adulthood?

fewer friends

Erik Erikson saw the final developmental task of older adulthood as one that involves ____ versus ____

integrity vs despair

Who is more likely to be poor, older men or older women?

older women

The degree to which a person is ready to retire is reflected in an index called ____

retirement maturity

If James copes by convincing himself that his ailments are not as bad as Andre's aliments, he is using a strategy called ____

social compassion

status passages

the changes in role and social position that occur when a person enters adolescence, becomes a parent, retires, or becomes a widow or widower.

How is the transition to older adulthood different from the transitions between earlier stages in life?

typically involves losses, as well as gains

Do older adults tend to be less wealthy or wealthier than younger adults are?

wealthier