Q&A Hero

Q: In two investigations of Caucasian older adults, __________ was associated with favorable adjustment following loss of a spouse. A) religious activity B) membership in a congregation C) religious belief D) remarriage within six months

Q: Being deeply religious A) seems to fortify the mind"body connection near life's end, with the frailest displaying the greatest resilience. B) has a negative effect on quality of life in the final yeara time of increasing disability for most older adults. C) seems to have little effectpositive or negativeon mental and physical health during the last year of life. D) appears to increase death anxiety for older adults in their final year of life.

Q: In a longitudinal study, researchers found that during the final year of life, the deeply religious A) had more difficulty sleeping. B) experienced life as more exciting and enjoyable. C) avoided social experiences in favor of isolation. D) displayed more depressive symptoms.

Q: Religious involvement is associated with A) higher SES. B) less reminiscence. C) greater death anxiety. D) better physical well-being.

Q: Which of the following statements about sex differences in religious involvement and spirituality in late adulthood is true? A) Women and men are equally likely to report that religion is very important to them. B) Women are more likely than men to engage in religious activities. C) Men are more likely than women to engage in a personal quest for connectedness with a higher power. D) Men are more likely than women to report that religion is very important to them.

Q: Involvement in both organized and informal religious activities is especially high among __________ older people. A) high-SES Caucasian B) low-SES ethnic minority C) British D) Dutch

Q: As a complement to his Methodism, 75-year-old Franklin has become intensely interested in Buddhism, especially its focus on never harming others. Franklin's religious behavior is A) inconsistent with the norm because older adults typically become more rigid in their prescribed religious beliefs. B) inconsistent with the norm because Christian adults rarely embrace non-Christian religious perspectives as sources of inspiration. C) somewhat typical because spirituality and faith may move away from prescribed beliefs toward a more reflective approach that emphasizes links to others. D) typical because most older adults become confused about spirituality and prescribed religious beliefs as they advance in age.

Q: In recent national surveys, _____ percent of Americans age 65 and older said that religion is very important in their lives. A) 40 B) 50 C) 60 D) 70

Q: Mrs. Hayley has come to terms with life despite its imperfections. She has become increasingly generous and good-natured. Mrs. Hayley shows gains in A) emotion-centered coping. B) agreeableness. C) openness to experience. D) extroversion.

Q: Which of the following statements about personality traits in late adulthood is true? A) Old age is a time in which the personality inevitably becomes rigid and morale declines. B) Most seniors show a modest age-related dip in acceptance of change. C) A flexible, optimistic approach to life is common in old age. D) Older adults tend to score higher in extraversion than middle-aged adults.

Q: Self-__________ is a key feature of integrity. A) focus B) evaluation C) acceptance D) discovery

Q: Older adults have accumulated a lifetime of self-knowledge, leading to __________ conceptions of themselves than at earlier ages. A) more idealistic and focused B) less secure and simplistic C) more secure and complex D) less idealistic and simplistic

Q: For young and old alike, reminiscence A) is ruminative. B) occurs during times of life transition. C) reinforces negative stereotypes. D) occurs more often among people who are self-focused.

Q: African-American and Chinese immigrant elders are more likely than their Caucasian counterparts to use A) reminiscence to revive bitter events. B) affect optimization to minimize positive emotion. C) gerotranscendence to teach younger generations about the past. D) reminiscence to teach others about the past.

Q: Sharon often draws on the past for effective problem-solving strategies and for teaching younger people. Sharon uses __________ reminiscence. A) self-focused B) other-focused C) knowledge-based D) childhood-based

Q: Marlon, an extraverted 75-year-old, reminisces about his wife, who passed away when Marlon was 65. He enjoys reliving his relationship with his wife. Marlon engages in __________ reminiscence. A) self-focused B) other-focused C) knowledge-based D) childhood-based

Q: Self-focused reminiscence A) is linked to adjustment problems. B) is part of attaining ego integrity. C) increases self-esteem. D) reduces depression.

Q: The baby boomers are approaching late life with the conviction that their old age will not begin until A) 65. B) 70. C) 75. D) 80.

Q: Added years of longevity and health plus financial stability have granted an active, opportunistic time of life to so many older adults that some experts believe a new phase of late adulthood has evolved, known as A) the Second Age. B) the Third Age. C) the New Old Age. D) Extended Old Age.

Q: Today's seniors in industrialized nations are largely A) focused on the past. B) present- and future-oriented. C) depressed. D) focused on the inevitability of death.

Q: Mr. Sarandon recalls past experiences with the goal of achieving a greater self-understanding. Mr. Sarandon is engaged in A) life review. B) retrospection. C) recall. D) recognition.

Q: Which of the following statements about reminiscence is true? A) Many therapists working with older adults discourage life-review reminiscence. B) No age differences exist in total quantity of reminiscing. C) Older people often live in the past to escape the nearness of death. D) Most types of reminiscence are negative and maladaptive for older adults.

Q: Mrs. Van Dalen often tells stories about people and events from her childhood, and reports associated thoughts and feelings. Mrs. Van Dalen is engaged in A) gerotranscendence. B) reminiscence. C) life review. D) affect optimization.

Q: Emme selectively attends to and better recalls emotionally positive over negative information. Emme has the ability to maximize positive emotion and dampen negative emotion. This ability is known as A) gerotranscendence. B) ego differentiation. C) ego transcendence. D) affect optimization.

Q: Joan Erikson speculated that success in attaining gerotranscendence is apparent in A) higher marital satisfaction. B) greater community involvement. C) displaying socioemotional selectivity. D) heightened inner calm.

Q: Erikson's widow, Joan Erikson, suggested an additional stage of psychosocial development called A) gerotranscendence. B) disengagement. C) continuity. D) reminiscence.

Q: In Peck's theory, __________ requires older adults to move beyond their life's work, their bodies, and their separate identities by investing in a future that extends beyond their own lifespan. A) ego differentiation B) body transcendence C) ego integrity D) ego transcendence

Q: While 80-year-old Naomi's contemporaries have died, she faces the reality of death constructively through efforts to make life more secure, meaningful, and gratifying for younger generations. According to Peck, Naomi has attained A) body transcendence. B) ego transcendence. C) ego differentiation. D) future differentiation.

Q: Neil, age 70, has learned to focus on his psychological strengths. He overcomes his physical limitations by emphasizing the compensating rewards of cognitive, emotional, and social powers. According to Peck, Neil has attained A) body transcendence. B) ego differentiation. C) ego transcendence. D) physiological denial.

Q: According to Robert Peck, ego differentiation involves A) surmounting physical limitations. B) constructively facing the reality of death. C) finding non-work-related ways to affirm self-worth. D) focusing on psychological strengths.

Q: Mr. Suko is 80 years old. He is argumentative, bitter, and regretful. He has a tendency to blame others for his personal failures. According to Erikson, Mr. Suko's behavior disguises A) fear. B) mistrust. C) isolation. D) self-contempt.

Q: According to Erikson, when the psychological conflict of late adulthood is resolved negatively, adults experience A) guilt. B) isolation. C) stagnation. D) despair.

Q: Yolanda has achieved ego integrity. Which of the following statements is most likely true? A) Yolanda does not accept help from others even when it is needed. B) Yolanda feels that she has made many wrong decisions, yet time is too short to correct them. C) Yolanda fears death and is overwhelmed with hopelessness. D) Yolanda has a close relationship with her adult children.

Q: __________ predicts ego integrity in late adulthood. A) Completion of college B) Midlife generativity C) Retirement D) Identity foreclosure in adolescence

Q: Mr. Martin reached the last years of his life feeling whole, complete, and satisfied with his achievements. He realized that the paths he followed, abandoned, and never selected were necessary for fashioning a meaningful life course. Mr. Martin has achieved A) a sense of integrity. B) finality. C) tolerance. D) a sense of disengagement.

Q: Discuss volunteer service in late adulthood.

Q: Identify and describe the challenges of never-married, childless older adults.

Q: Describe the Green House model. How is it different from traditional nursing-home care?

Q: What value does social support have in the context of aging?

Q: What is a person"environment fit? How does this concept apply in late adulthood?

Q: Discuss the concept of gerotranscendence.

Q: Optimal aging is A) facilitated by societal contexts that promote effective person"environment fit. B) easily measurable by examining cognitive performance, cardiovascular functioning, and degree of disability. C) measured by examining each older adult's specific achievements and physical characteristics. D) a concept that only applies to seniors who are financially secure and socially supported.

Q: According to George Vaillant, which factor outweighs the others with regards to predicting a happy, active old age? A) parental SES B) family warmth in childhood C) early physical health D) use of effective coping strategies

Q: Modern definitions of successful aging have shifted the focus toward A) specific achievements and physical characteristics. B) the processes older adults use to reach personally valued goals. C) easily measurable outcomes, such as the absence of disabilities. D) cognitive performance and creative achievements.

Q: Walter and Dianne work hard to maintain their vitality and are able to limit their age-related declines in physical, cognitive, and social functioning. Walter and Dianne fit contemporary experts' view of A) gerotranscendence. B) generativity. C) ego integrity. D) optimal aging.

Q: Which of the following statements about volunteer activities of aging adults is true? A) Only about 10 percent of older adults in industrialized nations report volunteering. B) Of those older adults who volunteer, over half give 200 or more hours per year. C) Men volunteer more often than women. D) Time spent volunteering usually begins to decline by age 60.

Q: Involvement in leisure activities and, especially, __________ is related to better physical health and reduced mortality. A) volunteer service B) travel C) reading D) swimming

Q: Arthur is looking forward to having more time for leisure pursuits after retirement. He is excited about trying out new options. Arthur should know that leisure activities pursued during retirement typically include A) more vigorous physical activities. B) new activities never pursued before. C) activities that earn extra money. D) things that have been lifelong interests.

Q: Which of the following statements about retirement satisfaction is true? A) Moving out of a low-stress job is associated with gains in psychological well-being following retirement. B) Leaving a high-stress job is linked to greater difficulties during the retirement transition. C) Although social-network size typically grows in retirement, quality of relationships becomes more unstable for most people. D) Retirement can enhance marital satisfaction by granting husband and wife more time for companionship.

Q: For most contemporary seniors, retirement A) inevitably leads to adjustment problems. B) is a time of opportunity and personal growth. C) leads to physical health problems. D) changes their perceived quality of life.

Q: Which of the following statements about retirement policies is true? A) Few U.S. retirees experience falling living standards due to generous social security benefits. B) In the United States, time devoted to child rearing is given some credit when figuring retirement benefits. C) In most Western nations, generous social security benefits sustain the standard of living of most workers after they retire. D) When compared with other Western nations, U.S. policies make retirement more feasible for the economically disadvantaged.

Q: On average, __________ retire earlier than __________. A) men; women B) poor women; men C) poor women; wealthier women D) women; men

Q: Which of the following individuals is likely to retire first? A) Marilyn, who is in good health B) Dion, who is self-employed C) Joseph, who works in a blue-collar job D) Pearl, who is a high-earning professional

Q: Today, retirement A) is highly streamlined and similar for workers in all occupations. B) usually means moving from full-time work to full-time leisure. C) is not a single event but rather a dynamic process with multiple transitions. D) is more affordable than ever for workers in all occupations.

Q: The trend toward early retirement may soon reverse because A) most baby boomers say they want to work longer. B) the mandatory retirement age has increased for most workers. C) older adults have fewer choices about when to retire. D) the population of preretirees is declining steadily.

Q: Which of the following statements about preventing elder maltreatment is true? A) Legal action involving elder abuse is quite common. B) Stereotypes of aging reduce maltreatment because it reminds the public that older adults are extremely vulnerable. C) Once abuse is discovered, intervention first involves caregiver counseling rather than immediate elder protection. D) Prevention programs offer caregivers education and respite services, such as elder day care and in-home help.

Q: Which of the following statements about the risk factors of elder abuse is true? A) The very old and frail are rarely victims of maltreatment because they are usually compliant. B) Many abusers are dependent, emotionally or financially, on their victims. C) While abusers are more likely than other caregivers to have psychological problems, they are less likely to have substance abuse issues. D) Elder abuse is less likely to occur in nursing homes that have minimal staffing supervision and few visitors.

Q: __________ elders are more vulnerable to maltreatment. A) Independent B) Divorced C) Mentally or physically impaired D) Widowed

Q: Overwhelmed, Monica abandoned her frail, disabled grandmother in the waiting area of a hospital emergency room. Monica's act is referred to in the media as A) granny dumping. B) elder squatting. C) senior bumping. D) patient leaving.

Q: __________ are the most frequently reported types of elder abuse. A) Physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect B) Sexual abuse, financial abuse, and physical abuse C) Financial abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect D) Physical neglect, sexual abuse, and financial abuse

Q: Christine treats her aging mother like a child, calls her names, and often threatens to move her into a nursing home. Christine is engaged in which of the following types of elder abuse? A) physical neglect B) physical abuse C) emotional abuse D) financial abuse

Q: Figures underestimate the actual incidence of elder abuse because A) most acts take place in public settings like nursing homes, so they are not reported. B) many social workers do not believe older adults' claims of abuse or neglect. C) normal accidents and injuries that result from physical aging are mistaken for signs of abuse. D) most abusive acts take place in private, and victims are often unable or unwilling to complain.

Q: Yassar is a great-grandfather to two young children. Yassar is most likely to describe his role as A) very involved. B) somewhat involved. C) limited. D) extremely limited.

Q: As grandparents and adult grandchildren move through life, A) grandparents become more dependent on adult grandchildren than on adult children. B) adult grandchildren usually assist in the daily practical care of their grandparents. C) both contact and affection decline. D) contact declines, but grandparents' affection strengthens.

Q: __________ predicts the quality of the grandparent"adult grandchild relationship. A) Proximity B) The amount of practical assistance an adult grandchild provides C) Degree of grandparent involvement during childhood D) Age of the adult grandchild

Q: Mothers are more likely than fathers A) to feel ambivalent toward adult offspring with problematic lives. B) to have adult children who feel ambivalent toward them. C) express annoyance when adult children help unnecessarily. D) receive and provide financial and practical assistance from adult children.

Q: Heather offers support to her father Bill, age 78. If Bill is like most Western older adults, Heather will most likely provide A) assistance with daily living tasks. B) emotional support. C) financial assistance. D) help with transportation.

Q: Lyle and Nora are in their seventies. They own their own home. If they are typical of Western seniors in their relationship with their adult children, they will most likely A) accept emotional support and a high level of practical assistance from their children. B) seek their children's assistance for daily living activities, but be hesitant to ask for it when there is a pressing need. C) give more than they receive, in financial support and in practical assistance. D) accept emotional and financial support from their children.

Q: About _____ percent of older adults in Western nations are parents of living children. A) 50 B) 60 C) 70 D) 80

Q: Mr. Dugan belongs to a senior lunch club. The other members of the club, while not intimates, are Mr. Dugan's __________ friends. A) primary B) group C) joint D) secondary

Q: With age, older adults report that the friends they feel the closest to A) live in the same community. B) are members of the other sex. C) live far away. D) are much younger in years.

Q: Intimacy and __________ are basic to meaningful friendships in late adulthood. A) proximity B) companionship C) ethnicity D) mutual dependency

Q: Which of the following statements about late-life friendships is true? A) Friendships decrease in importance in late adulthood. B) Older adults report more favorable experiences with friends than with family members. C) Late-life friendships rely little on spontaneity and common interests. D) Friends rarely open up new experiences in late adulthood.

Q: Having __________ is an especially strong predictor of mental health among the elderly. A) grandchildren B) sisters C) friends D) brothers

Q: Which of the following statements about sibling relationships in late adulthood is true? A) The closer the tie to a sister, the higher older people's psychological well-being. B) Aging siblings in industrialized nations are more likely to provide direct assistance than to socialize with one another. C) After age 70, aid from siblings living near one another declines. D) Married older adults are more likely than never-married and widowed seniors to have contact with siblings.

Q: Both men and women describe closer bonds with __________ than with __________. A) same-sex siblings; other-sex siblings B) sisters; brothers C) other-sex siblings; same-sex siblings D) brothers; sisters

Q: Most elderly siblings A) visit each other less than once a year. B) live more than 100 miles from each other. C) communicate with each other regularly. D) provide one another with direct assistance.

Q: Never-married older women report a level of well-being equivalent to that of A) divorcees. B) married older adults. C) never-married older men. D) recently widowed seniors.

Q: Never-married, childless men are more likely than women to A) maintain good physical health. B) maintain good mental health. C) feel lonely and depressed. D) report a level of well-being equivalent to that of married seniors.

Q: About _____ percent of older Americans have remained unmarried and childless throughout their lives. A) 1 B) 5 C) 10 D) 15