Q&A Hero

Q: Colleges that __________ have a higher percentage of dropouts. A) do little to help high-risk students B) have high admissions requirements C) place great value on grade point average D) place students in developmental courses

Q: Which student is most at risk for dropping out of college? A) a sophomore at a large state university B) a freshman at a highly selective school C) a sophomore who moves off-campus D) a freshman at a school with open enrollment

Q: Which of the following statements about the psychological impact of attending college is true? A) The type of four-year institution attended makes little difference in psychological outcomes or even in ultimate career success and earnings. B) Cognitive growth is greater at a four-year institution than at a two-year community college. C) The best psychological outcomes, the greatest career successes, and the highest earnings are found in individuals who attended highly selective, private universities. D) Research shows that there are only limited psychological changes that occur in college students from the freshman to the senior year.

Q: From the freshman to the senior year of college, most students A) become better at reflecting on the quality of their thinking. B) are exposed to so many new ideas it leads to moral confusion. C) experience a significant identity crisis. D) become experts in their field of study.

Q: Creative individuals are A) intolerant of ambiguity. B) rarely driven to succeed. C) willing to try again after failure. D) all highly productive.

Q: Jim is a musician, Joy is an artist, and Danielle is a scientist. Which of the following statements is probably true? A) Danielle's creativity will peak later than that of the other two. B) Joy's creativity will be the last to peak. C) Jim will be the last to show a rise in creativity. D) Creativity will diminish equally among all three of them.

Q: Which of the following statements about creativity in adulthood is true? A) Mature creativity simply requires originality. B) Adult expertise often interferes with creativity. C) Expertise is not necessary for creativity. D) Creativity is a function of "career age," not chronological age.

Q: For young adults, __________ is supported by the specialization that begins with selecting a college major or an occupation. A) relativism B) dualism C) expertise D) pragmatism

Q: With the birth of Brenda's first child, she felt more fulfilled than ever before. However, she also acknowledged feelings of concern and fear over being able to meet all of her parental responsibilities while maintaining personal happiness and satisfaction. Brenda's thinking reflects A) relativism. B) cognitive-affective complexity. C) expertise. D) pragmatism.

Q: Which of the following adults is the most likely to engage in commitment within relativism? A) Adam, a 20-year-old college sophomore B) Nadia, a 30-year-old college professor C) Helena, a 27-year-old retail clerk D) Rainer, a 35-year-old salesman

Q: Karen considers two theories she studied in her college philosophy course. She determines that neither theory is entirely accurate, and she tries to formulate a more satisfying perspective that synthesizes contradictions. Karen is engaged in A) pragmatic thought. B) dualistic thinking. C) relativistic thinking. D) commitment within relativistic thinking.

Q: In college, Edward comes to the realization that his own beliefs are often subjective. He notes that his roommate, who holds vastly different beliefs from his own, has his own "truth." Edward is engaged in A) pragmatic thought. B) dualistic thinking. C) relativistic thinking. D) commitment within relativistic thinking.

Q: Xavier believes everything his college professor says because she is in a respected position. Xavier accepts what the professor says because he believes that knowledge is certain and the professor has that knowledge. Xavier is engaged in A) pragmatic thought. B) dualistic thinking. C) relativistic thinking. D) commitment within relativistic thinking.

Q: Bryson and his co-workers are developing a new sales strategy. When Bryson's conclusions differ radically from the rest of the team, he considers the justifiability of his conclusions and revises them slightly. Bryson is engaged in A) epistemic cognition. B) dualistic thinking. C) relativistic thinking. D) pragmatic thought.

Q: According to some researchers, cognitive development continues beyond Piaget's formal operational stage to the __________ level. A) postcognitive B) postoperational C) postformal thought D) postconcrete

Q: Which of the following statements about cognitive development in early adulthood is true? A) Pruning of synapses, along with growth and myelination of stimulated neural fibers, progresses at a faster pace in early adulthood than in adolescence. B) Slowing of the cognitive system first becomes evident around age 25. C) For young adults who do not attend college, cognitive growth is unlikely. D) The cognitive changes of early adulthood are supported by further development of the cerebral cortex, especially the prefrontal cortex.

Q: _________ adults are better than __________ adults at coping with stress. A) Young; middle-aged B) Middle-aged; young C) Lower-SES; high-SES D) Male; female

Q: __________ adults report more depressive feelings than __________ adults. A) Young; middle-aged B) Middle-aged; young C) Middle-aged; older D) Male; female

Q: A strong cardiovascular response, interference with immune system functioning, and reduced digestive activity are all symptoms of A) hypertension. B) alcoholism. C) psychological stress. D) genetically programmed aging.

Q: Compared with __________ adults, __________ adults show a stronger cardiovascular response to stress. A) female; male B) higher-SES; low-SES C) lower-SES; high-SES D) male; female

Q: Which of the following statements about the impact or prevention of sexual coercion is true? A) Gender stereotyping and gender inequality have little impact on societal acceptance of sexual coercion. B) Most child witnesses to parental violence become involved in abusive relationships as adults. C) In some U.S. states, a woman legally cannot rape a man. D) Victims of rate and other sexual crimes report fewer symptoms of illness across almost all body systems.

Q: Ingredients of effective rape intervention include A) reinforcing rape myths. B) teaching social skills and social awareness. C) supporting gender stereotypes with evidence. D) safety planning, but only if the abuser is still present.

Q: Which of the following statements about rape prevention and treatment is true? A) Practically no services are available for victimized men, who are often too embarrassed to come forward. B) The trauma induced by rape is typically so severe that therapy is an ineffective intervention. C) In the United States, treatment is mandated for men and women who sexually assault their partners. D) Safety planning interventions are not needed if the abuser is no longer present in the victim's life.

Q: Which of the following statements about sexual coercion is true? A) Male rape victims report mostly female perpetrators. B) Less than one-third of all sexual assaults take place while people are intoxicated. C) Male victims often report that women perpetrators threatened to end a relationship unless the victim complied. D) Approximately 5 percent of female rape victims are physically injured.

Q: Which of the following statements about sexual coercion is true? A) Less than 20 percent of U.S. women have experienced sexual aggression. B) Men who engage in sexual assault are usually from low-SES backgrounds. C) People of all SES and ethnic groups are offenders and victims. D) Men who engage in sexual assault tend to believe in nontraditional gender roles.

Q: The majority of rape victims are __________, and the abusers are __________. A) over age 30; under age 30 B) under age 30; men they know well C) unwilling to prosecute their attacker; strangers to the victim D) over age 20; sober at the time of the attack

Q: The overall rate of STDs is higher among women than men because A) while men have more sexual partners than women, women are less likely to use adequate protection. B) women tend to receive less information about safe sexual practices. C) it is at least twice as easy for a man to infect a woman with any STD than for a woman to infect a man. D) rates of promiscuity in the last decade have risen sharply in U.S. women.

Q: In the United States, one in every _____ individuals is likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease at some point in life. A) two B) four C) six D) eight

Q: Michele openly lives her life as a lesbian. Statistics indicate that Michele A) probably lives in a small town. B) is most likely a high school dropout. C) probably has a college degree. D) is most likely over 50 years old.

Q: Homosexuals tend to live in A) small communities. B) college towns. C) rural areas. D) ethnically diverse neighborhoods.

Q: Which of the following statements about research on homosexuality is true? A) There is limited information about the sex lives of homosexuals because many people who are gay do not report themselves as such in surveys. B) Unlike heterosexuals, homosexuals tend to seek out partners with vastly different educational and economic backgrounds to themselves. C) In homosexual relationships, partners in committed relationships report having sex less often and being less satisfied than singles who are casually dating. D) Unlike heterosexuals, homosexuals report that the overall frequency of sex in committed relationships is high.

Q: __________ million U.S. adults identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. A) Less than 2 B) Nearly 4 C) About 6 D) More than 8

Q: Researchers have found that satisfying sex generally involves A) good physical technique. B) an emotionally fulfilling relationship. C) spontaneity and novelty. D) experience with multiple partners.

Q: Which of the following statements about the sex lives of American adults is true? A) People who engage in casual dating have the most physically satisfying sex lives. B) As number of sex partners increases, satisfaction declines sharply. C) Most married adults say they are only somewhat happy with their sex lives. D) More men than women report persistent sexual problems.

Q: When adults of any age are asked how many sexual partners they have had in the past year, the usual reply is A) one. B) two. C) three. D) none.

Q: Contemporary men and women A) have fewer sexual partners over their lifetimes than a generation ago. B) differ little in average number of lifetime sexual partners. C) differ significantly in average number of lifetime sexual partners. D) have sex less often than those of a generation ago.

Q: After meeting through friends, the most common way to meet a partner is A) on the Internet. B) at school events. C) at work. D) at church.

Q: Sexual partners, whether dating, cohabiting, or married, tend to be A) similar in education, but not religion. B) similar in age, but not in education. C) similar in age and education. D) similar in education, but not in ethnicity.

Q: At the end of high school, about 65 percent of U.S. young people have had sexual intercourse; by age 25, __________ have done so. A) 70 percent B) 75 percent C) 80 percent D) nearly all

Q: Philip, Bob, Bill, and Walter recently joined Alcoholics Anonymous. Which of the following is probably true? A) All of them will receive personal and family counseling through AA. B) Two of them will relapse within a few months. C) Three of them will break their addiction to alcohol. D) Only one of them will have long-term success.

Q: Which of the following statements about alcohol use in adulthood is true? A) Alcohol induces anxiety at first but relieves stress over time. B) About half of police activities in large cities involve alcohol-related offenses. C) Almost 25 percent of fatal car crashes in the United States involve alcohol. D) The most effective prevention strategy for reducing alcohol abuse is to raise the minimum drinking age to 25.

Q: Alcoholism is a more common problem in cultures where alcohol is A) regularly served to and around minors. B) a traditional part of ceremonial activities. C) a common part of religious activities. D) a carefully controlled sign of adulthood.

Q: Which of the following statements about alcoholism is true? A) Studies show little or no genetic involvement in alcoholism. B) In men, alcoholism usually begins in the twenties and thirties. C) Contrary to popular belief, alcoholics can and do limit their alcohol use. D) Alcoholism crosses SES and ethnic lines but is higher in some groups than others.

Q: __________ is the single most important preventable cause of death in industrialized nations. A) Alcoholism B) Cigarette smoking C) Drug use D) Obesity

Q: The earlier people start smoking, the A) greater their cigarette consumption. B) greater the likelihood of quitting. C) smaller their chances of heart attack and stroke. D) smaller the likelihood of dying from a smoking-related disease.

Q: Which of the following individuals is the most likely to be a smoker? A) Thad, a high school graduate B) Thelma, an Asian immigrant C) Troy, a high school dropout D) Trista, a college dropout

Q: The most commonly abused substances in the United States are A) cigarettes and alcohol. B) alcohol and marijuana. C) cigarettes and over-the-counter medications. D) alcohol and prescription medications.

Q: Physical activity A) improves mood, but decreases alertness. B) reduces anxiety and depression. C) increases the risk of diseases associated with smoking. D) decreases neural activity in the cerebral cortex.

Q: Which of the following statements about exercise is true? A) It strengthens the heart muscle and increases blood pressure. B) It produces high-density lipoproteins that help remove LDLs. C) It produces a form of "good cholesterol" known as LDLs. D) It decreases neural activity in the cerebral cortex.

Q: Regular physical activity is linked to A) repetitive injuries, particularly in the joints. B) slight declines in T-cell production. C) reduced incidence of cancer. D) reduced energy, but improved mood.

Q: Which of the following statements about Americans and exercise is true? A) Most Americans are not aware of the health benefits of exercise. B) Just 24 percent of Americans engage in the nationally recommended 150 minutes per week of at least moderately intense leisure-time physical activity. C) Almost one-half of Americans engage in the recommended two sessions per week of resistance exercises. D) Over half of Americans are inactive, with no regular brief sessions of even light activity.

Q: When it comes to dietary fat, the best suggestion is A) do not consume it. B) to eat less fat of all kinds. C) to substitute saturated fat for unsaturated fat. D) to eat it but exercise immediately afterwards.

Q: The main reason for limiting saturated fats is that they are strongly connected with A) decreased fertility. B) development of stomach ulcers. C) cardiovascular disease. D) production of free radicals.

Q: __________ fat generally comes from meat and dairy products and is solid at room temperature. A) Unsaturated B) Saturated C) Polyunsaturated D) Partially hydrogenated

Q: Which of the following diets meets the U.S. national dietary recommendations? A) Fat is 3 percent of total caloric intake, with 1 percent made up of saturated fat. B) Fat is 20 percent of total caloric intake, with 10 percent made up of saturated fat. C) Fat is 30 percent of total caloric intake, with 7 percent made up of saturated fat. D) Fat is 30 percent of total caloric intake, with 15 percent made up of saturated fat.

Q: Which of the following statements about diets and dieters is true? A) About one-third of Americans on weight-reduction diets are within their normal weight range. B) Diet programs utilizing group counseling are less effective than programs with individual counseling. C) Most dieters lose weight and maintain their weight loss for five or more years. D) Repeat dieters are more likely than weight-loss maintainers to confront problems directly.

Q: Weight-loss maintainers are more likely than individuals who relapse to A) believe that temporary lifestyle changes are needed. B) use social support and to keep a record of their weight. C) restrict fat to no more than 7 percent of their daily caloric intake. D) keep their weight-reduction plan to no longer than 25 weeks.

Q: Family and friends can help a dieter by A) keeping track of what the dieter eats and noting when he or she goes off the diet. B) pointing out how the extra weight prevents many people from leading an active lifestyle. C) avoiding discussions of food and limiting social events that revolve around eating. D) offering encouragement and helping foster the dieter's self-esteem and self-efficacy.

Q: Marleen, an obese adult, lost 20 pounds over the course of a year. Within the next two years, she is most likely to A) lose an additional 20 pounds. B) lose 5 or 10 more pounds. C) gain back 5 to 10 pounds. D) gain back 20 or more pounds.

Q: Trena is an overweight adult. Compared with her normal-weight agemates, Trena is A) less likely to receive financial aid for college. B) less likely to report mistreatment by family members. C) more likely to find a mate. D) more likely to be rented an apartment.

Q: Nadine, an average-weight adult, gained a small amount of weight between the ages of 25 and 50. Nadine should know that A) the weight gain is likely caused by a lack of physical activity. B) she is at high risk for heart disease. C) this is a normal part of aging, resulting from a drop in basal metabolic rate. D) the average woman gains between 2 and 5 pounds a year throughout early and middle adulthood.

Q: Which of the following statements about the obesity epidemic is true? A) Obesity-related medical coverage in government-sponsored health insurance programs for low-income families could help combat the obesity epidemic. B) In the United States, obesity is responsible for around $150 million in health expenditures per year. C) The United States mandates prominent posting of the calorie, sugar, and fat content of all foods sold in restaurants, movie theaters, and convenience stores. D) Obesity is responsible for around 30,000 premature deaths per year in the United States alone.

Q: __________ leads the globe in overweight and obesity. A) China B) The United States C) Germany D) American Samoa

Q: In the United States, A) overweight children usually slim down by adolescence or early adulthood. B) many people show large weight gains between the ages of 25 and 40. C) rates of overweight and obesity are starting to decline in low-SES adults. D) more adults are overweight than obese.

Q: Which of the following adults in the most likely to be obese? A) Jenn, a Caucasian-American B) Jasmine, a Hispanic-American C) Victoria, a Native-American D) Veronica, an African-American

Q: Carly, age 24, has a 22 percent greater body weight than she should have, based on her age, sex, and physical build. Carly is A) an obese adult. B) overweight, but not obese. C) probably suffering from a metabolic disorder. D) heavyset, but not overweight.

Q: Most Americans eat A) to maintain the body's functions. B) the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. C) a well-balanced diet. D) because they feel like it or it is time to do so.

Q: Which of the following statements may explain why SES disparities in health and mortality are larger in the United States than in other industrialized nations? A) Socioeconomic groups are less likely to be segregated by neighborhood in the United States than in other countries. B) Even high-SES Americans are less likely to seek medical treatment than adults in other countries. C) Low-income and poverty-stricken U.S. families are financially less well-off than families classified in these ways in other countries. D) The wealthiest Americans have much higher incomes than in other industrialized nations, widening the SES gap.

Q: Which of the following statements about the relationships among SES, education, and health is true? A) Economically advantaged individuals sustain better health over most of their adult lives. B) There is no relationship between educational attainment and health. C) The health of lower-income individuals steadily improves throughout the lifespan. D) The health of individuals with limited education steadily improves throughout the lifespan.

Q: Which of the following statements about death rates and causes in the United States is true? A) The leading cause of death in early adulthood is suicide. B) Homicide death rates rise with age. C) Death rates for all causes in the United States exceed those of other industrialized nations. D) Death rates due to disease decline with age.

Q: In males, semen volume, sperm motility, and percentage of normal sperm decrease gradually after age A) 20. B) 25. C) 30. D) 35.

Q: The most important cause of the age-related drop in female fertility is A) a decline in the number and quality of ova. B) cancer of the ovaries or uterus. C) abnormal menstrual cycles. D) a decline in sexual activity.

Q: __________ secrete antibodies into the bloodstream that multiply, capture foreign substances, and permit the blood system to destroy them. A) T cells B) B cells C) Telomeres D) Antigens

Q: __________ originate in the bone marrow, mature in the thymus, and attack foreign substances directly. A) T cells B) B cells C) Telomeres D) Antigens

Q: The immune response is the combined work of specialized cells that neutralize or destroy __________ in the body. A) T cells B) B cells C) telomeres D) antigens

Q: Ryan is a long-distance swimmer. Ryan can expect his speed to drop off at an accelerating pace when he reaches about age A) 40. B) 50. C) 60. D) 70.

Q: Which of the following athletes' skills will probably peak latest in life? A) Rod, a sprinter B) Reba, a tennis player C) Rolf, a long-distance runner D) Rita, a high-jumper

Q: Which of the following motor skills will probably peak earliest in life? A) speed of limb movement B) endurance C) hand"arm steadiness D) aiming

Q: To study the impact of biological aging on motor skills, researchers focus on A) sedentary adults. B) women in their childbearing years. C) competitive athletes. D) men in their mid-to-late thirties.

Q: Yao is 45 years old. How has the maximum vital capacity of his lungs changed from when he was 25? A) It has decreased by about 5 percent. B) It has decreased by about 20 percent. C) It has remained constant. D) It has increased by about 10 percent.