Adult Development and Aging exam 1
Which of the following scenarios best represents a cross-sectional research design? a. A study examines individual political views across a life span. The researcher's hypothesis is that as individuals age, they become more conservative. The researcher randomly selects a sample from various age cohorts, to examine their political views on capital punishment, immigration, and federal spending. b. A study examines individual political views across a life span. The researcher's hypothesis is that as individual's age, they become more conservative. The researcher randomly selects a sample from selected high school population and follows them for 50 years. c. A study examines the relationship of individual political views and the amount of education they have completed. The researcher's hypothesis is that there is a positive relationship between education and liberal political views. d. A study examines how individual political views change between 1981-1991 and 2001-2011.
a. A study examines individual political views across a life span. The researcher's hypothesis is that as individuals age, they become more conservative. The researcher randomly selects a sample from various age cohorts, to examine their political views on capital punishment, immigration, and federal spending.
Which of the following is TRUE? a. Hispanics who were born in other countries and came to the United States as immigrants tend to be in better health than Hispanic Americans who were born in the United States. b. Respondents at every age who had higher income levels reported more symptoms of depression. c. Economic conditions in neighborhoods do not contribute to the health of the people who live there; only education and income are correlated with health. d. Socioeconomic status has an effect on physical health, but not on mental health.
a. Hispanics who were born in other countries and came to the United States as immigrants tend to be in better health than Hispanic Americans who were born in the United States.
Which of the following individuals would you expect to have the longest telomeres? a. Johanna, who exercises regularly for fun. b. Marnie, who is obese c. Emanuel, who experiences a lot of stress at work and worries he will be layed off. d. Albert, who has heart disease, but has recently begun to eat healthier and exercise.
a. Johanna, who exercises regularly for fun.
Which of the following is most accurate about depressive symptoms among older adults? a. Rates of depression are significantly lower for older adults than young adults and middle-aged adults. b. Rates of depression are about the same for middle-aged, younger adults, and older adults. c. Rates of depression are the same when using DSM criteria and depressive symptoms from the CES-D10. d. Symptoms of depression using checklists such as the CES-D
a. Rates of depression are significantly lower for older adults than young adults and middle-aged adults.
Which of the following is TRUE? a. Those over 65 years of age are more likely than younger adults to suffer from chronic conditions. b. The mortality rate for adults in the U.S. rises sharply between ages 45 and 50. c. Across all age groups, the number one killer is accidents. d. Those over 65 and young adults are equally likely to suffer from acute conditions, such as the common cold or the flu
a. Those over 65 years of age are more likely than younger adults to suffer from chronic conditions.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness for all people in the United States. Which statement below does NOT accurately describe glaucoma? a. Two million people in the United States have glaucoma, but most seek medical attention after noting the early warning signs of the disease. b. Untreated glaucoma can destroy the optic nerve and lead to blindness. c. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness for African Americans. d. Successful treatment for glaucoma may be as simple as the application of eye drops in certain patients.
a. Two million people in the United States have glaucoma, but most seek medical attention after noting the early warning signs of the disease.
One explanation of aging cites our dietary habits as connected to the aging process. Which statement below is NOT consistent with this theory? a. What we eat is the most significant contributor to aging. b. To receive the maximum benefits of caloric restriction, humans would have to reduce their caloric intake by 30%.. c. Animal research supports an association between reduced caloric intake and increased longevity. d. "Natural" human studies suggest that individuals on restricted diets may live longer.
a. What we eat is the most significant contributor to aging.
Medina (1996) suggests that changes in older men's and women's sexual responses are generally . a. a little slower and a little less intense b. a little slower, but with no change in intensity c. a little less intense, but with no change in arousal speed d. NOT positively affected by an end to concerns about pregnancy
a. a little slower and a little less intense
Which of the following is an example of a potential shared, "age- graded" change in adulthood? a. a loss of fitness (e.g., aerobic capacity) beginning in the 30s and 40s and continuing into old age b. a decrease in the frequency of contact with siblings between middle age and old age c. a lower average number of years of education among current 25-year-olds than among current 65-year-olds d. a lesser susceptibility to disease among current 65-year-olds than among current 30- year-olds
a. a loss of fitness (e.g., aerobic capacity) beginning in the 30s and 40s and continuing into old age
According to research on normal adult men, which of the following is NOT a major change in the reproductive system with age? a. a major decline in testosterone levels b. a diminished production of sperm c. a longer time required to achieve erection d. shrinkage of the testes
a. a major decline in testosterone levels
The greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease is: a. age b. having a first-degree relative with Alzheimer's. c. exhibiting visuospatial deficits d. smoking marijuana
a. age
Fruits and vegetables that contain beta carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C are recommend because they are high in . a. antioxidants b. antiradicals c. telomeres d. resveratrol
a. antioxidants
At what median age do adults in the United States show the onset of substance abuse? a. 20 years of age b. 30 years of age c. 40 years of age d. 50 years of age
a. 20 years of age
After doing a large-scale cross-sectional study, a researcher finds that each successively older group does slightly less well on a test of memory for 10-digit telephone numbers. Which of the following is the best interpretation of this result? a. A basic biological change underlies the observed steady reduction of memory skill. b. The differences can be explained by gender of the participants. c. The difference has nothing to do with practice of memory skills. d. No interpretation can be made using this result.
a. A basic biological change underlies the observed steady reduction of memory skill.
What is the age-related pattern of acute and chronic diseases over adulthood? a. Acute illness declines with age, while chronic illness increases. b. Chronic illness declines with age, while acute illness increases. c. Both chronic and acute illness increase with age. d. Both chronic and acute illness decline with age.
a. Acute illness declines with age, while chronic illness increases.
The large-scale research project known as the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) National Survey included questions pertaining to personal health that was sent out to 7000 participants between the ages of 25 and 74. This type of study in which data is gathered at one time from groups of participants who represent different age groups is an example of what general type of research design? a. cross-sectional b. longitudinal c. sequential d. panel
a. cross-sectional
In which of the following age ranges is the average weight at its peak? a. 20-29 b. 50-59 c. 60-69 d. 80-89
b. 50-59
The average age at which women go through menopause about . a. 40 b. 51 c. 55 d. 60
b. 51
A good deal of research supports a link between Type A behavior pattern and increased risk of: a.diabetes b.coronary artery disease c. cancer d. suicide
b.coronary artery disease
Which of the following diseases is the leading cause of death in late adulthood in the United States and other developed countries? a. cancer b. accidents c. heart disease d. pneumonia
c. heart disease
More women than men in the United States are diagnosed with . a. cardiovascular problems b. glaucoma c. hip fractures d. hearing loss
c. hip fractures
The last few decades have seen advances in identifying genes associated with Alzheimer's disease. The gene increases one's risk for Alzheimer's disease. a. BN4 b. OB2 c. PS4 d. APOEE4
d. APOEE4
Cells of different species, when observed in nutrient solutions, are seen to divide varying numbers of times, with cells of the most long-lived species dividing more times than the cells of short-lived species. The total number of divisions for any given species is sometimes referred to as . a. species replicability b. the Shock limit c. the dividing limit d. the Hayflick limit
d. the Hayflick limit
Current evidence on age-related changes in levels of testosterone in men indicates that . a. there is a large and steady decline beginning at about age 40 b. there is a large decline, but it begins only after about age 60 c. there is no decline at all d. there is a small and gradual decline from midlife onward
d. there is a small and gradual decline from midlife onward
The gland that is the key element in the immune system is the . a. pituitary b. ovaries or testes c. thalamus d. thymus
d. thymus
A researcher selects a sample of 65-year-olds and interviews and tests them every two years for 14 years. Over these years, some of the subjects die or drop out of the study. This phenomenon is referred to as . a. attrition b. terminal drop c. longitudinal loss d. selective bias
a. attrition
After falling on the ice and breaking three of her ribs, Kathleen is having trouble with ADLs. Which of the following is an example of an ADL? a. bathing b. dusting c. paying bills d. preparing meals
a. bathing
Which is NOT a major category of influence that helps to explain both the ways we tend to be alike and the ways we tend to be different in our adult journeys? a. biologically influenced change b. unique experiences c. cultural-cohort effects d. shared, age-graded change
a. biologically influenced change
The general term used to describe the loss of reproductive capacity among both sexes in middle and later life is . a. climacteric b. menopause c. testosterone loss d. desexualization
a. climacteric
Some cross-sectional studies do not use age groups. Instead, they use stages in life. Which cross-sectional study would be the most suitable using stages in life? a. comparing young couples without children to couples who have already had their first child to see the effects of parenthood on marriage b. comparing answers to survey questions from men and women aged 35-44 years old c. comparing a freshman and senior high school student grade point average and athletic ability d. comparing twins' personality inventories every five years
a. comparing young couples without children to couples who have already had their first child to see the effects of parenthood on marriage
If a researcher interviews a group of 20-year-olds, a group of 40-year-olds, and a group of 60-year-olds about their gender role attitudes at one point in time, this would be an example of which sort of research design? a. cross-sectional b. longitudinal c. time-sequential d. cross-sequential
a. cross-sectional
When researchers compare the behavior or responses of adults in different phases of the family life cycle, this is most like which type of research design? a. cross-sectional b. sequential c. longitudinal d. correlational
a. cross-sectional
Alzheimer's disease is one form of . a. dementia b. depression c. coronary heart disease d. immune system breakdown
a. dementia
In explaining adult development, psychologists must . a. explain both changes with age and continuities b. focus primarily on explaining changes with age c. focus primarily on explaining continuities with age d. deal most centrally with individual differences in responses to life problems
a. explain both changes with age and continuities
Optimism: a. has been shown to have only positive outcomes on health and health behaviors. b. has been shown to have positive health outcomes only for European Americans. c. has been shown to have positive health outcomes only in the U.S. d. has been shown to correlate negatively with serious physical illness and premature death.
a. has been shown to have only positive outcomes on health and health behaviors.
According to the theory about the impact of the social clock of adult life events, which of the following individual patterns is associated with the most upheaval or disruption or personal difficulty—at least for current cohorts? a. having your parents both die when you are in your 20s b. having a first child at age 30 c. receiving your last work promotion at age 40 d. retiring at age 65
a. having your parents both die when you are in your 20s
If I want to know whether IQ scores tend to remain constant in individuals over the adult years, which of the following research designs should I use to study the question? a. longitudinal b. experimental c. a survey questionnaire d. qualitative
a. longitudinal
Osteoporosis is the term used to describe . a. loss of calcium in the bones b. loss of estrogen at menopause c. a disease of the joints caused from wear and tear d. normal hearing loss that occurs with old age
a. loss of calcium in the bones
When people reach the age 55, the top cancer killer is cancer, which remains through the rest of their life." a. lung b. colon c. brain d. pancreatic
a. lung
Which group of adults shows a pattern of short life expectancy and high rates of chronic illness throughout adulthood? a. men b. women c. the poor d. the middle class
a. men
Dr. Schwebel combined data from 30 studies to examine the link between optimism and health. This is an example of a(n): a. meta-analysis b. quasi-experimental design c. experiment d. survey
a. meta-analysis
Which of the following is a common characteristic of U.S. adults who were young children during the Great Depression of the 1930's, according to Elder's research? a. negative effects in adulthood b. a large number of children c. stable careers d. late marriage
a. negative effects in adulthood
The gradual loss of hearing resulting from wear and tear on the auditory nerves and inner ear structures is called . a. sensorineural hearing loss b. presbyopia c. loud-soft discrimination deficits d. tone deafness
a. sensorineural hearing loss
Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for heart disease? a. sexually transmitted diseases b. high blood pressure c. high cholesterol d. smoking
a. sexually transmitted diseases
According to the text, emerging adulthood begins in the age decade of . a. the 20s b. the 30s c. the 40s d. the 50s
a. the 20s
Which of the following timing/experience combinations would be likely to create the LEAST stress and disruption, according to the shared experiential/social clock model? a. the death of your father when you are 60 years old b. retirement because of ill health at age 50 c. being fired from your job when you are 40 years old d. becoming a parent for the first time when you are 16 years old
a. the death of your father when you are 60 years old
Which of the following is the CLEAREST example of primary aging? a. the decline in neuronal speed with age b. the increase in the rate of heart disease with age c. the increase in the rate of cancer with age d. the loss of muscle tissue with age as a result of a sedentary life style
a. the decline in neuronal speed with age
One major sex difference in health experiences over adulthood is that . a. women have higher rates of nearly all chronic diseases b. men have higher rates of nearly all chronic diseases c. when women contract a fatal disease, they die more quickly d. men report higher rates of daily health problems at all ages
a. women have higher rates of nearly all chronic diseases
Scientific evidence regarding the effects of aging on the nervous system seems to have changed over the last decade. Which statement below would NOT be supported by today's evidence? a. Neurons are capable of changing with age. b. After a person reaches the age of 8, his or her neurons do not grow dendrites to make new connections. c. Some neuron pruning in old age may serve the same purpose as pruning in infancy. d. Scientists' estimates of daily neuron loss in old age have declined significantly in the last 20 years.
b. After a person reaches the age of 8, his or her neurons do not grow dendrites to make new connections.
Which of the following is TRUE? a. Most diseases are determined by a single gene. b. Genetic information can affect individual responses to different treatments. c. Cancer and depression are transmitted by a single gene. d. Genes can have detrimental effects, but not protective effects on healt
b. Genetic information can affect individual responses to different treatments.
When researchers ask young, middle-aged, and older adults to rate their own health, what age pattern do they find? a. The percentage who describe their health as excellent or very good declines rapidly with age; by age 65, only a very small number choose such a description. b. The percentage who describe their health as excellent declines with age, but 2/3 of those over 75 still rate their health as at least good. c. There is little change with age in the percentage who describe their health as excellent, but a substantial rise among those over 65 who describe their health as poor. d. Self-rated health remains essentially constant over age, because older adults adjust their standards of "excellent" or "good."
b. The percentage who describe their health as excellent declines with age, but 2/3 of those over 75 still rate their health as at least good.
Dressing yourself, bathing, walking a short distance, using a toilet, and eating without assistance are all examples of what gerontologists call . a. self-help skills b. activities of daily living c. grooming skills d. daily behaviors
b. activities of daily living
At about what age does a significant loss of visual acuity begin to be measurable for most adults? a. age 30 b. age 45 c. age 60 d. age 70
b. age 45
Which form of mental health disorder shows the highest prevalence in adulthood? a. mood disorders b. anxiety disorders c. impulse control disorders d. substance abuse disorders
b. anxiety disorders
Biologically influenced changes in adulthood occur . a. at the same age in all adults b. at varied ages but in a similar sequence c. at varied ages and in varied sequences d. at the same age and in the same sequence
b. at varied ages but in a similar sequence
The term used to describe a disease of the arteries in which there is a gradual build-up of fat-laden deposits is . a. high blood pressure b. atherosclerosis c. cholesterol d. heart attack
b. atherosclerosis
Which of the following is NOT one of the top three causes of death for individuals between the ages of 15 and 24? a. accidents b. cancer c. homicide d. suicide
b. cancer
Which of the following is a major research technique used in "behavior genetics"? a. comparisons of individuals from different ethnic groups b. comparisons of identical and fraternal twins c. comparisons of young and old subjects d. comparisons of males and females
b. comparisons of identical and fraternal twins
Which of the following is found only in men? a. HGH. b. cyclic GMP c. aldosterone. d. DHEA
b. cyclic GMP
The term used to describe any significant global deterioration in intellectual abilities in older adults is . a. Alzheimer's disease b. dementia c. depression d. Parkinson's disease
b. dementia
Juan is suffering from a disease wherein his body is not able to metabolize insulin. Juan most likely has: a. the human papillomavirus b. diabetes c. chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) d. cancerous plaques
b. diabetes
The aging process has been a matter of interest and a subject of research for centuries. This research has established a(n) . a. empirically documented single theory of aging b. diversity of current propositions about the aging process, most supported by some empirical evidence c. diversity of empirical evidence, all pointing to 4 primary theories of aging d. unified theory of aging at the cellular level
b. diversity of current propositions about the aging process, most supported by some empirical evidence
Which of the following groups would be described as a "cohort"? a. everyone who was once a preschooler with a working mother b. everyone born during the Great Depression of the 1930s c. everyone in whose mother was named Anna d. everyone who lives in the western hemisphere
b. everyone born during the Great Depression of the 1930s
Which of the following is NOT a change in sleep patterns with increasing age in adulthood? a. a reduction in the number of hours of deep sleep b. fewer daily naps because of less physical activity c. an increase in breathing disturbances d. waking earlier in the morning
b. fewer daily naps because of less physical activity
There is a significant positive correlation between IQ scores and academic performance (grades). Given this statistic, we can reasonably conclude that . a. low IQ scores and low grades are not at all related b. high IQ scores are a predictor of good grades c. high IQ scores are the only established cause of high grades d. low IQ scores are a result of neglectful parenting.
b. high IQ scores are a predictor of good grades
Which of the following is NOT a well-established risk factor for one or more types of cancer? a. smoking b. high blood pressure c. a family history of cancer d. being overweight
b. high blood pressure
A sequential research design . a. is more commonly used than cross-sectional designs because they take less time b. includes two or more longitudinal comparisons taken at different times c. is carried out at one point in time d. includes one cohort studied over time
b. includes two or more longitudinal comparisons taken at different times
One indication that some commonly observed physical change linked to age is a product of secondary aging is that . a. it occurs to some degree in all adults b. it does not occur in all adults c. it is strongly linked to age d. it is associated with known genetic processes
b. it does not occur in all adults
Telomeres are: a. shortened as a result of caloric restriction and aerobic exercise. b. lengths of repeating DNA found at the tips of chromosomes. c. mutated free radicals that shorten the life span.
b. lengths of repeating DNA found at the tips of chromosomes.
The probability of dying in any given year in the United States is best described as . a. increasing with age, and increasing for females more quickly than males b. less than 20 percent for males and females over the age of 85 c. 1 percent for adult males aged 15-24 d. greater for females across all age groupings
b. less than 20 percent for males and females over the age of 85
Experiences linked to age and occurring with most adults are called . a. tribalizations b. normative age-graded influences c. age periods d. cohorts
b. normative age-graded influences
The results from older adults' self-reports (surveys) of their health found that . a. there is no longer a need for objective measures of health because they measure the same thing. b. only about 40% of adults over 75 rate their health as good to excellent. c. young adults were less likely than older adults to rate their health as excellent. d. the overwhelming majority of adults over 65 rate their health as fair or poor
b. only about 40% of adults over 75 rate their health as good to excellent.
The loss of calcium in the bones that occurs in many adults with aging is called . a. osteopathy b. osteoporosis c. calcification d. climacteric
b. osteoporosis
Although Alex's biological mother used crack cocaine during her pregnancy, Alex was adopted at birth into a loving home with parents who did the best that they could to give her every opportunity possible. She ended up graduating from high school and is now beginning a culinary program at a local community college. Alex's scenario best exemplifies: a. contextualism. b. plasticity. c. normative history-graded influences. d. the multidisciplinary nature of development.
b. plasticity.
The thickening of the lens of the eye that results in loss of visual acuity in middle and older age is part of a process called . a. presbycusis b. presbyopia c. nearsightedness d. macular degeneration
b. presbyopia
If I want to know whether successive cohorts show the same pattern of decline in frequency of close friendships in their 30s, which research design should I use? a. time-lag b. sequential c. longitudinal d. cross-sectional
b. sequential
If I were to select a sample of 30-year-olds, another sample of 40-year-olds, and a third sample of 50-year-olds, test or interview them once, and then test or interview them again 10 years later, this would be an example of what kind of research design? a. cross-sectional b. sequential c. longitudinal d. correlational
b. sequential
Marika's parents earned a combined income that placed them below the poverty level and she grew up in poverty until late adolescence. Based on recent research, one can predict that: a. she has a Type A personality. b. she is obese. c. she suffers from PTSD. d. she is low in optimism.
b. she is obese.
Which of the following poor health habits increases a person's risk of both heart disease and cancer? a. low-fiber diet b. smoking c. insufficient sleep d. skipping breakfast
b. smoking
If a researcher begins a study of a group of 20-year-olds and then a few years later continues the study on the same group, this would be an example of what type of research design? a. cross-sectional b. time-sequential c. longitudinal d. cohort-sequential
c. longitudinal
Which of the following correlation coefficients shows the strongest relationship between the two variables entered into the correlation? a. -.35 b. +.70 c. - 82 d. +.55
c. - 82
Among adults, which ethnic group in the U.S. seems to have the best health? a. Caucasians b. African Americans c. Asian Americans d. Hispanics
c. Asian Americans
Which of the following is TRUE of diabetes? a. The two types of diabetes are both preventable. b. The incidence of type 2 diabetes has decreased in recent years. c. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney disease, and amputations of feet and legs. d. Type 1 diabetes is related to obesity and lack of exercise.
c. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney disease, and amputations of feet and legs.
refer(s) to genetic characteristics that are the result of environmental influences during the prenatal period or during the lifespan that affect how existing genes are expressed. a. Intergenerational effects b. The developmental origins hypothesis c. Epigenetic inheritance d. Comorbid
c. Epigenetic inheritance
Which of the following is TRUE of insomnia? a. It decreases in middle age and later adulthood when stress levels decline for most. b. It is more common in men. c. It can be caused by the use of blue-screen electronic devices before bedtime. d. It is caused by a constriction of the airway.
c. It can be caused by the use of blue-screen electronic devices before bedtime.
Which of the following is TRUE of Alzheimer's disease? a. Alzheimer's disease is an extreme form of normal aging. b. There are new medications that cure Alzheimer's disease. c. People with Alzheimer's disease show senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in their brain upon autopsy. d. Early-onset and late-onset Alzheimer's diseases are equally common and are determined by the same genes.
c. People with Alzheimer's disease show senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in their brain upon autopsy.
What are the relative ages at which significant losses of vision and hearing occur, on average, in adulthood? a. Both changes occur at roughly the same time. b. Significant loss of hearing occurs earlier, on average. c. Significant loss of vision occurs earlier, on average. d. Both changes occur in only some adults, at widely varying ages.
c. Significant loss of vision occurs earlier, on average.
Which of the following is the best statement about individual differences in the rate or pattern of physiological aging? a. The maturational sequences are very powerful; virtually all adults follow the same sequences at the same rates. b. There are significant maturational sequences, although there is room for individual variation within relatively narrow limits. c. There are significant underlying maturational sequences, but there are very wide individual variations in rate and pattern. d. There are no shared underlying maturational sequences.
c. There are significant underlying maturational sequences, but there are very wide individual variations in rate and pattern.
Which of the following is a major argument AGAINST the use of cross- sectional research designs in studying adult development? a. They require too much time to collect data. b. They typically involve non-representative samples. c. They confound age and cohort. d. They do not allow comparisons of sub-groups, such as middle-class and working-class, or black and white.
c. They confound age and cohort.
Which of the following scenarios is MOST likely a nonnormative life event? a. A couple in their 20s first marry then have a child. b. A grandfather of two retires at age 65. c. Two nursing home residents marry at ages 80 and 82. d. A young woman graduates with a bachelor's degree at age 22.
c. Two nursing home residents marry at ages 80 and 82.
One of the most common instruments to gather data is a personal interview. Which of the following questions/statements might a researcher ask in a structured interview? a. If you could have the perfect job, what would it be? b. Describe a time when you communicated some unpleasant news or feelings to a friend. What happened? c. Would your spouse describe you as a warm fuzzy or a cold prickly? d. Think of a day when you had many things to do and describe how you scheduled your time
c. Would your spouse describe you as a warm fuzzy or a cold prickly?
If, every five years, I study the gender-role attitudes of the same group of individuals, this would be an example of what kind of research design? a. cross-sectional b. sequential c. longitudinal d. correlational
c. longitudinal
Which of the following changes in our senses appears to be a normal part of aging? a. an increase in the number of odor receptors which interfere with the ability to smell b. an increase in the ability to taste salty and sweet flavors, causing older people to gain weight more quickly than they did earlier in the lifespan c. a decline in the amount of saliva secreted
c. a decline in the amount of saliva secreted
A researcher finds in a longitudinal study that her subjects are significantly more open to new experiences at age 50 than they were at 30. This change most likely reflects . a. a cohort difference b. the classic nature nurture dichotomy c. a developmental change d. attrition
c. a developmental change
Which of the following is the most common cause of death in adults between ages 25 and 44 in the U.S.? a. AIDS b. cancer c. accidents d. heart disease
c. accidents
A reasonable inference from the information presented in this unit regarding the availability of sexual partners for older adults suggests that which older person would have the LEAST problem locating a sexual partner? a. an independent single female b. a female living with her adult children c. an independent single male d. a single male living in a nursing home
c. an independent single male
Three groups of males take a timed reaction test. All the males in Group 1 are aged 20. The males in Group 2 are all aged 40. The males in the last group (Group 3) are all aged 60. The statistic reported to describe the differences in reaction times between groups is each group's mean score. However, this mean score does NOT identify . a. which group has the fastest reaction times b. a trend for reaction times based on age c. any individual's reaction time d. the group that would include the best candidates for a job requiring excellent reaction times
c. any individual's reaction time
Kara, a 40-year-old female who lives in the U.S., is most likely to die from cancer. a. lung b. colon c. breast d. pancreatic
c. breast
What is the term used to describe large social environments where development takes place? a. cohorts b. generations c. cultures d. age periods
c. cultures
It is estimated that 20 percent of the elderly have pathological levels of anxiety. Which of the following is NOT an anxiety disorder? a. phobias b. agoraphobia c. dysthymic disorder d. PTSD
c. dysthymic disorder
A normal chemical process in the body, resulting from exposure to sunlight, X- rays, and food, creates molecules or atoms that possess an unpaired electron. These atoms and molecules are called . a. cross-linkages b. DNA breakages c. free radicals d. antioxidants
c. free radicals
The developmental origins hypothesis states that a. people of certain ethnic backgrounds have a genetic make up that makes them less vulnerable to illness than others. b. down regulation is the cause of most genetic disorders. c. growth during the fetal period, infancy, and early childhood is an important factor in adult health d. some illnesses are caused by problems during adolescence; others are caused by problems during later parts of the lifespan.
c. growth during the fetal period, infancy, and early childhood is an important factor in adult health
Women, when compared to men, . a. contract fatal diseases (such as cancer or heart disease) at about the same average ages as men, but survive longer with such diseases b. remain in good health much longer, without significant disability or disease c. have a higher incidence of disabilities, but contract fatal diseases later in life d. contract fatal diseases at later average ages and have decreased incidences of depression and anxiety
c. have a higher incidence of disabilities, but contract fatal diseases later in life
Which of the following are the 2 leading causes of death among adults in their 40s and 50s in the U.S.? a. cancer and AIDS b. accidents and heart disease c. heart disease and cancer d. AIDS and accidents
c. heart disease and cancer
For which of the following cross-sectional research findings would you be MOST likely to suspect a "cohort effect" as the primary explanation? a. lower bone density among 70-year-olds than among 35-year-olds b. faster recall of lists of words by 20-year-olds than by 60-year-olds c. higher percentage of blue-collar workers among 50-year-olds than among 30-year- olds d. a lower rate of marital satisfaction among couples in their 30s than among couples in their 50s
c. higher percentage of blue-collar workers among 50-year-olds than among 30-year- olds
Which therapy provides perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with the hormones once produced by their ovaries that sharply reduce the symptoms of the climacteric? a. growth hormone therapy (GH) b. DHEA therapy c. hormone replacement therapy (HRT) d. HGH treatment therapy
c. hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
The most common symptom associated with menopause is . a. anxiety b. depression c. hot flashes d. headaches
c. hot flashes
Raymond is a 69-year-old male who lives in the south. It is most likely that he lives: a. in a nursing home. b. in a skilled care facility. c. in a community dwelling. d. in an assisted living facility.
c. in a community dwelling.
A problem with the results from cross-sectional and longitudinal research on the sexual activity of adults in the United States is that . a. the majority are no longer sexually active after midlife b. the majority are most sexually active in late adulthood, but many die before this part of the life span c. it reduces a complex human interaction to a simple frequency count d. the data do not allow us to determine the answer to sexual frequency
c. it reduces a complex human interaction to a simple frequency count
If I select one sample of 30-year-olds and follow them over a decade, interviewing or testing them repeatedly, this would be an example of what kind of research design? a. cross-sectional b. sequential c. longitudinal d. correlational
c. longitudinal
Which shared developmental change is most likely to be universal? a. retirement at age 65 b. negative ageism c. reduced muscle mass in old age d. young adults leaving home at age 18
c. reduced muscle mass in old age
In U.S. culture, adults in their early 20s are expected to marry, start families, establish themselves in their jobs or careers, and settle into separate households; 45- year-olds are expected to be launching their children into independence, to be reaching the peak of their careers, and to be caring for their own aging parents. Such expectations illustrate which concept? a. cohorts b. generations c. shared experiences d. cross-sectional comparisons
c. shared experiences
Which of the following is NOT more common in adult women than adult men? a. mood disorders b. anxiety disorders c. substance abuse d. schizophrenia
c. substance abuse
In which parts of the body do fat deposits INCREASE in middle age and old age (past the age of about 50)? a. the face and the upper arm b. the chest and the belly c. the belly and the upper arm d. the face and the chest
c. the belly and the upper arm
At what median age do adults in the United States show the onset of mood disorders? a. 10 years of age b. 15 years of age c. 20 years of age d. 30 years of age
d. 30 years of age
Dementia caused by is the most prevalent type of dementia. a. Parkinson's disease b. multiple small strokes c. multiple concussions d. Alzheimer's disease
d. Alzheimer's disease
Which of the following is NOT a correct statement about the pattern of osteoporosis with age for men and women? a. It begins in the 30s and continues thereafter. b. It is greater for women than for men. c. Among women, it is accelerated by menopause. d. It accelerates in men in their 60s.
d. It accelerates in men in their 60s.
Which of the following is the most accurate description of the relationship of atherosclerosis to aging? a. It is an inevitable part of aging. All adults show some atherosclerotic change, and these changes are irreversible. b. It is an inevitable part of aging, but early changes are reversible by improvement in health habits. c. It is a disease occurring only in some adults; all changes due to the disease are curable or reversible. d. It is a disease occurring only in some adults, but some disease processes are reversible by improvement in health habits.
d. It is a disease occurring only in some adults, but some disease processes are reversible by improvement in health habits.
Using a standard treadmill test, I observe that today's 30-year-olds are more aerobically fit than are today's 60-year-olds. Which of the following is the LEAST plausible explanation of this observation? a. Fitness is more highly valued in today's society, so the younger cohort exercises more regularly than the older cohort does now or did when they were 30. b. In U.S. society, jobs and lifestyles become more and more sedentary as adults get older. The observed difference thus reflects a genuine change with age, but not an inevitable one. c. Inevitable physical changes associated with basic biological aging lie behind the observed difference. d. It is more difficult to test the aerobic capacity of 60-year-olds, so the findings are probably misleading.
d. It is more difficult to test the aerobic capacity of 60-year-olds, so the findings are probably misleading.
Which of the following individuals is LEAST LIKELY to have osteoarthritis? a. Charlene, an obese middle-age woman who has recently begun an exercise regimen. b. Anita, a 65-year-old woman. c. Kyle, a 14-year-old who plays competitive basketball. d. Shaniqua, a high school student who has not been involved in sports beyond exposure in gym class.
d. Shaniqua, a high school student who has not been involved in sports beyond exposure in gym class.
Which statement is FALSE? a. Some environments may retard the aging process. b. Some environments may speed up the aging process. c. The old adage "use it or lose it" seems true when applied to older individuals' physical and mental activities. d. Twin studies show that rate of aging is highly heritable; only about 5% of aging is caused by other factors
d. Twin studies show that rate of aging is highly heritable; only about 5% of aging is caused by other factors
Which of the following is an example of a direct link between Type A and coronary heart disease? a. Type As create more stress for themselves because of their personality. b. Type As seeking out stressful situations. c. Type As cause others to be more hostile toward them. d. Type As have an increased stress reaction and lower immune reaction.
d. Type As have an increased stress reaction and lower immune reaction.
Suppose I am interested in knowing whether adults who are very introverted at age 20 are still highly introverted at age 50. Which of the following statistical analyses will I be most likely to use? a. a comparison of average introversion scores for a sample of adults aged 20 and another sample aged 50 b. a comparison of average introversion scores at age 20 and age 50 for the same adults assessed longitudinally c. an analysis of the average amount in introversion between any two measurements of the same people over time d. a calculation of the correlation between scores on the key variable at two time points in a group of subjects studied longitudinally between age 20 and age 50
d. a calculation of the correlation between scores on the key variable at two time points in a group of subjects studied
What would be the very best research design to determine whether middle-aged adults are really more psychologically "mature" than young adults? a. a longitudinal design, with a large representative sample studied from 20 to 45 b. a cross-sectional study in which a large, representative sample of adults of each age from 20 to 45 (e.g., 20-year-olds, 25-year-olds, etc.) is studied once c. the same cross-sectional design as in b, but repeated at 10-year intervals d. a sequential design in which each age interval is studied longitudinally in more than one cohort
d. a sequential design in which each age interval is studied longitudinally in more than one cohort
Which of the following groups would be described as a "cohort"? a. all adults presently with middle-class jobs b. all unemployed adults c. all adults who exercise regularly d. all adults born between 1970 and 1975
d. all adults born between 1970 and 1975
You notice that your mother, who is 61 years old, begins to complain about her difficulty seeing while night driving, with the size of the print on her PC screen, with blurry street signs, and with the dimness of the house living and kitchen lights. She may be experiencing loss of visual acuity due to . a. presbyopia b. dark adaption c. cataracts d. all of the above
d. all of the above
Suppose a researcher, using a cross-sectional design, finds that the incidence of depression is highest among young adults and lowest among the elderly. Which of the following is a possible valid interpretation of this result? a. It reflects a basic, shared biological change with age. b. It reflects a shared, "age-graded" change resulting from common adult tasks and family life cycles. c. It reflects cohort differences; current young adults experience more stress than the previous generation did. d. any of the above.
d. any of the above.
Which of the following is NOT a major risk factor for severe osteoporosis? a. being light in weight for height b. being female c. early menopause d. drinking lots of coffee
d. drinking lots of coffee
Premenopausal and menopausal changes in women are triggered by a significant reduction in the production of which hormone? a. testosterone b. androgen c. thyroxin d. estrogen
d. estrogen
One major shortcoming of most of the research on sexual activity is that it a. focuses primarily on quality of sexual relations at different ages. b. focuses primarily on many types of sexual expression besides intercourse. c. focuses only on males. d. focuses primarily on frequency counts of sexual activity.
d. focuses primarily on frequency counts of sexual activity.
Across the adult years, the 12-month prevalence of most mental disorders increases from young adulthood to middle adulthood and then declines, with the lowest rates being (Kessler, Berglund, Demler, et al., 2005). a. for teenagers who are between 17-19 years old b. for young adults who are 20-27 years old c. for middle age adults who are 45-55 years old d. for adults who are 60 years of age and older
d. for adults who are 60 years of age and older
After examining the evidence regarding cardiovascular disease and gender, Bjorklund concluded that . a. the first symptoms of a heart attack for men are usually fatigue and nausea. b. the symptoms of a heart attack for women are often the same as those of men. c. the majority of females who die suddenly of cardiovascular disease have had previous symptoms, especially crushing chest pain. d. heart attacks are just as dangerous for women as for men.
d. heart attacks are just as dangerous for women as for men.
Which of the following diseases or health problems is more common among African Americans than among non-Hispanic whites? a. osteoporosis b. anorexia c. AIDS d. high blood pressure
d. high blood pressure
Researchers who examined 18th century medical records in Sweden found that the _______was/were the strongest factor in determining adult longevity. a. APOEE4 gene b. level of optimism c. level of hostility d. infant infections
d. infant infections
Of the following research methods, select the one that studies the same subjects over a period of time, observing whether their responses remain the same or change in systematic ways? a. sequential b. experimental c. cross-sectional d. longitudinal
d. longitudinal
The probability of contracting an illness is called the _____ rate. a. incidence b. prevalence c. mortality d. morbidity
d. morbidity
The finding that neurons are capable of making changes with age demonstrates a. replicative senescence b. the Hayflick limit c. redundancy d. plasticity
d. plasticity
When some body change is linked to age but appears to be the product of environmental influences or health habits, it is an example of . a. maturation b. the impact of free radicals c. primary aging d. secondary aging
d. secondary aging
The suggested mechanism behind the genetic limits theory of aging comes from the discovery that chromosomes in many human body cells (and those of some other species, too) have, at their tips, lengths of repeating DNA called . a. chromosomal lids b. pelorames c. genetic signalers d. telemores
d. telemores
