Q&A Hero

Q: What is John Clausen's (one of the researchers in the Berkeley Longitudinal Studies) criticism about the adult stage theories? A. Too much attention has been given to the discontinuities in life. B. Most people actually have stable, continuous lives with little change. C. Personality is actually characterized by change, not stability. D.

Q: Which of the following is NOT one of the groups distinguished by Helson and her colleagues in the Mills College Study? A. Women without children who pursued only low-level work. B. Women who were career-oriented. C. Women who were single mothers and had aged, dependent parents. D.

Q: The researchers in the Mills College Study concluded that rather than being in a midlife crisis, the women were experiencing _____. A. perimenopausal agitation B. midlife consciousness C. the empty nest syndrome D.

Q: Which of the following statement is true about George Vaillant's longitudinal studies of adulthood and aging? A. Factors such as having good coping skills and being thankful were linked with happy-well category. B. Only individuals with normal weight were more likely to be alive and happy at 75 to 80 years of age. C. Intimacy in middle age was more strongly related than generativity whether individuals would have an enduring and happy marriage at 75 to 80 years of age. D.

Q: According to Helson's Mills College Study, women who did not commit themselves to one of the lifestyle patterns (family-oriented, career-oriented, and those who followed neither path): A. were more prone to depression than those who followed one of these. B. had a history of insecure attachment in childhood. C. faced fewer challenges and did not develop as fully as the other women. D.

Q: In the Berkeley Longitudinal Studies, which of the following characteristics generally changed the most across time for an adult? A. Intellectual orientation B. Nurturance or hostility C. Openness to experience D.

Q: Across a 10-year period, which of the following Big Five personality factors did NOT predict health outcomes involving physical health, blood pressure, and number of days limited at work or home due to physical health factors? A. Agreeableness B. Extraversion C. Openness D.

Q: A study by Sharp and others revealed that _____ was related to superior cognitive functioning and IQ across the life span. A. agreeableness B. openness C. extraversion D.

Q: A meta-analysis conducted by Zhao, Seibert, and Lumpkin in 2010 revealed that _____ was linked to pursuing entrepreneurial goals such as starting a new business, and to success in those pursuits. A. agreeableness B. neuroticism C. extraversion D.

Q: According to research by Donnellan, Larsen-Rife, and Conger, individuals high on _____ were more likely to have satisfying romantic relationships. A. agreeableness B. neuroticism C. extraversion D.

Q: In the Berkeley Longitudinal Studies, which of the following characteristics was generally stable across time for an adult? A. Nurturance B. Hostility C. Self-control D.

Q: Identify the supertrait that encompasses traits such as soft-hearted, trusting, and helpful, according to the Big Five factors of personality. A. Conscientiousness B. Openness to experience C. Agreeableness D.

Q: According to the Big Five factors of personality, which of the following personality supertrait describes a person as either helpful or uncooperative? A. Conscientiousness B. Agreeableness C. Openness D.

Q: According to the Big Five factors of personality, which of the following personality supertrait describes whether an individual is either secure or insecure? A. Neuroticism B. Agreeableness C. Openness D.

Q: Which of the following Big Five personality factors describes an individual as either self-satisfied or self-pitying? A. Openness B. Agreeableness C. Neuroticism D.

Q: Most research studies indicate that the greatest change in personality traits occurs in: A. midlife. B. late midlife. C. late adulthood. D.

Q: Which of the following Big Five personality factors describes a person as either disciplined or impulsive? A. Openness to experience B. Conscientiousness C. Neuroticism D.

Q: Becky is careless, impulsive, and disorganized. According to the Big Five personality factors, Becky is most likely to score low on _____. A. openness to experience B. agreeableness C. neuroticism D.

Q: Which of the following Big Five personality factors describes whether a person is sociable or retiring? A. Extraversion B. Openness to experience C. Conscientiousness D.

Q: Identify the Big Five personality factor that describes whether an individual is fun-loving or somber. A. Agreeableness B. Openness to experience C. Conscientiousness D.

Q: Diana is fun-loving, sociable, and affectionate with all her friends and acquaintances. Identify the Big Five personality factor that describes this aspect of Diana's personality. A. Extraversion B. Conscientiousness C. Neuroticism D.

Q: Identify the Big Five personality factor that classifies a person as either organized or disorganized. A. Openness to experience B. Extraversion C. Conscientiousness D.

Q: Which of the following is the conclusion of the study conducted by Costa and McCrae on approximately 1,000 college-educated men and women aged 20 to 96? A. Considerable stability occurs in the five personality factors. B. Extraversion is the most unstable personality factor. C. While extraversion and openness remained stable, agreeableness and conscientiousness varied greatly. D.

Q: Which of the following is one of the Big Five factors of personality? A. Generativity B. Extraversion C. Transitivity D.

Q: A recent study by Specht, Egloff, and Schukle found that _____ showed a continuous increase from early adulthood to late adulthood. A. agreeableness B. extraversion C. conscientiousness D.

Q: Which of the following Big Five personality factors describes whether an individual is imaginative or practical? A. Agreeableness B. Extraversion C. Conscientiousness D.

Q: Identify the Big Five personality factor that describes whether a person is independent or conforming. A. Openness to experience B. Extraversion C. Conscientiousness D.

Q: List four strategies that distinguish an expert from a novice. Strategies that distinguish an expert from a novice are the following:

Q: Discuss the career challenges faced by middle-aged workers in the 21st century. How can these challenges be addressed and reduced? Middle-aged workers today face globalization, rapid developments in information technologies, downsizing of organizations, outsourcing of jobs, early retirement, and concerns about pensions and health care. All of these concerns have led to a decreasing sense of personal control for middle-aged workers and delayed plans for retirement.

Q: When men use fight-or-flight manner to respond to stress, they are most likely to: A. withdraw from social contact. B. be merciful and forgiving. C. seek social alliances. D.

Q: Which of the following supertraits deals with emotional stability and describes an individual as being calm or anxious? A. Conscientiousness B. Extraversion C. Openness D.

Q: Which of the following is NOT one of the five big personality traits identified by Costa and McCrae? A. Extraversion B. Openness C. Adaptability D.

Q: Briefly discuss the conditions that may occur with menopause. What are things one can do to alleviate these symptoms? In menopause, production of estrogen by the ovaries declines dramatically, and this decline produces uncomfortable symptoms in some menopausal women: hot flashes, nausea, fatigue, and rapid heartbeat. Cross-cultural studies reveal wide variations in the menopause experience. It is difficult to determine the extent to which these cross-cultural variations are due to genetic, dietary, reproductive, or cultural factors. Though menopause overall is not the negative experience most women nowadays, the loss of fertility is an important marker for women as it means that they have to make final decisions about having children.

Q: What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? Identify some of the risks associated with it. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) augments the declining levels of reproductive hormone production by the ovaries. HRT can consist of various forms of estrogen, and usually a progestin. HRT has been linked to an increased risk of stroke and dementia. On the positive side, HRT lowered the risk of hip fractures and did not increase the risk of heart attack or breast cancer. Recent research studies in a number of countries have found that coinciding with the decreased use of HRT in recent years has been a related decline in the incidence of breast cancer.

Q: What are the hormonal changes and related developments in middle-aged men? What are treatments one can use to alleviate these symptoms? Men experience hormonal changes in their fifties and sixties. Testosterone production begins to decline about 1 percent a year during middle adulthood, and sperm count usually shows a slow decline, although men do not lose their fertility in middle age. The gradual decline in men's testosterone levels in middle age can reduce their sexual drive. Erectile dysfunction is a common development in middle-aged men. The percentage of men with erectile dysfunction increased the older they were and decreased if they engaged in regular exercise. Recent research finds that as many as 75 percent of the erectile dysfunctions in middle-aged men stem from physiological problems. A recent large-scale study of U.S. adults 40 to 80 years of age found that early ejaculation and erectile difficulties.

Q: What are the significant findings regarding sexual attitudes and behaviors of middle-aged adults? Although the ability of men and women to function sexually shows little biological decline in middle adulthood, sexual activity usually occurs on a less frequent basis than in early adulthood. The Sex in America survey finds that the frequency of having sex was greatest for individuals aged 25 to 29 years old and dropped off for individuals in their fifties. Other research indicates that middle-aged men want sex, think about it more, and masturbate more often than middle-aged women. For many other forms of sexual behavior, male and female middle-aged adults report similar frequency of engagement. Although middle-aged adults have sex less frequently than when they were younger adults, only 30 percent reported that they were less satisfied with their sex life.

Q: Distinguish between crystallized intelligence and fluid intelligence with examples. Explain how they change in middle adulthood.

Q: What are the leading causes of death in middle adulthood? What can one do to avoid these issues? In middle age, many deaths are caused by a single, readily identifiable condition, whereas in old age, death is more likely to result from the combined effects of several chronic conditions. For many years heart disease was the leading cause of death in middle adulthood, followed by cancer; however, in 2005 more individuals 45 to 64 years of age in the United States died of cancer, followed by cardiovascular disease. The gap between cancer as the leading cause of death widens as individuals age from 45 to 54 and 55 to 64 years of age. Men have higher mortality rates than women for all of the leading causes of death.

Q: Identify the term that refers to the mental ability to quickly and accurately make simple discriminations in visual stimuli.

Q: Identify the theorist who initiated the Seattle Longitudinal Study that involves extensive evaluations of intellectual abilities in the adult years.

Q: Identify the term that refers to the mental "workbench" where individuals manipulate information and solve problems.

Q: Identify the term that refers to the type of coping that involves drawing on beliefs, values, and goals to change the meaning of a stressful situation especially in times of chronic stress such as the death of a loved one.

Q: Describe the differences between LDL and HDL and some of the changes one can make in lifestyle to affect cholesterol levels. Cholesterol comes in two forms: LDL (low-density lipoprotein) an HDL (high-density lipoprotein). LDL levels should low; when the level of LDH is high, it sticks to the blood vessels, which can lead to hardening of the arteries and cardiovascular disease. Cholesterol levels are influenced by heredity but LDL can be reduced and HDL increased by eating food that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and by regular exercise.

Q: Identify the term that refers to the disorders characterized by a slow onset and a long duration.

Q: Identify the term that refers to the midlife transition, for both men and women, in which fertility declines.

Q: Identify the term that refers to the transitional period from normal menstrual periods to no menstrual periods at all, which often takes up to 10 years.

Q: Identify the term that refers to a kind of (adult) intelligence that consists of one's accumulated knowledge base and verbal skills.

Q: Identify the term that refers to a kind of (adult) intelligence that consists of one's ability to reason abstractly.

Q: Which of the following statements is supported by Crystal Park's research on chronic stress and religious experiences? A. Individuals who are religious rarely experience a disruption in their values after the death of a loved one. B. Religion can serve as a meaning system through which the bereaved are able to reframe their loss. C. Nonreligious individuals show better adjustment to the loss of a loved one than religious individuals. D.

Q: Which of the following is TRUE about Roy Baumeister and Kathleen Vohs's need for efficacy? A. This need refers to the fact that present events draw meaning from their connection with future events. B. This need can lend a sense of goodness or positive characterization of life and justify certain courses of action. C. This need involves the belief that one can make a difference. D.

Q: Identify the theorist who referred to midlife as "the afternoon of life."

Q: Identify the term given to age-related loss of muscle mass and strength.

Q: Identify the term that is given to a condition, often occurring in middle and late adulthood, which is characterized by hypertension, obesity, and insulin resistance. This disorder may lead to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Q: Roy Baumeister and Kathleen Vohs believe that a meaningful life can be understood in terms of four main needs. Which of the following is NOT one of those needs? A. The need for shelter B. The need for purpose C. The need for values D.

Q: Which of the following statements about spirituality is TRUE? A. Only a small minority of U.S. adults consider themselves to be religious. B. Most US middle-aged adults do not consider spirituality a major part of their lives. C. There is no evidence of changes in spirituality and religiousness in people as they age. D.

Q: Religiousness has been associated with all of the following EXCEPT: A. a lower rate of depression. B. a lower rate of hypertension. C. a lower risk of cancer. D.

Q: Drawing on beliefs, values, and goals to change the meaning of a stressful situation is known as: A. self-efficacy. B. problem-focused coping. C. meaning-making coping. D.

Q: Which of the following is TRUE about Austrian psychiatrist Viktor Frankl? A. He argued that examining the finiteness of our existence and the certainty of death adds meaning to life. B. He said that the two most distinct human qualities are religiousness and philanthropy. C. Spirituality, in his view, has a religious underpinning. D.

Q: According to Viktor Frankl, the three most distinct human qualities are freedom, responsibility, and _____. A. authority B. spirituality C. fraternity D.

Q: In the United States, approximately _____ of individuals 40 to 59 years of age are employed. A. 30 percent B. 50 percent C. 65 percent D.

Q: Which of the following is one of the outcomes of the restructuring, downsizing, and outsourcing resulting from globalization? A. Offering incentives to middle-aged employees to retire early B. Encouraging middle-aged professionals to take up entrepreneurship C. Offering incentives to young professionals to outperform middle-aged employees D.

Q: Which of the following is one of the reasons why many middle-aged workers are delaying their retirement plans? A. The increase of retirement age to 75 years B. The increasing opportunity for middle-aged professionals C. The increased productive health owing to medical advances D.

Q: What percentage of Americans considers themselves to be religious? A. Between 35 and 40 percent B. Not more than 55 percent C. More than 70 percent D.

Q: In a longitudinal study of individuals from their early thirties through their late sixties/early seventies showed that: A. a significant increase in spirituality occurred between late middle and late adulthood. B. spirituality peaked in late middle adulthood. C. there was no significant change in spirituality from late middle to late adulthood. D.

Q: According to Denise Park, much of the blame for declining memory in late middle age is a result of: A. neuroanatomical changes during late middle age. B. decreased blood supply to various parts of the brain. C. physiological and cognitive atrophy during late middle age. D.

Q: Which of the following strategies would be most helpful in improving memory in middle age? A. Avoid using vivid imagery to keep from becoming distracted. B. Use a recall rather than recognition strategy whenever possible. C. Use an organization strategy to categorize information to be remembered. D.

Q: Which of the following statements about novices and experts is TRUE? A. Novices are more creative in solving problems than experts. B. Novices are more flexible in solving problems than experts. C. Experts avoid the use of strategies and shortcuts when solving problems. D.

Q: According to Salthouse, a recent analysis of research found: A. no evidence for significant changes in everyday cognition from 20 to 75 years of age. B. that everyday cognition continued to increase from 20 to 75 years of age. C. evidence of significant decline in everyday cognition from 20 to 75 years of age. D.

Q: Which of the following statements is TRUE about work in midlife? A. There are always huge differences in the work performance of young adults and middle-aged adults. B. Age related declines occur in some occupations such as air traffic controllers and professional athletes. C. There is usually little emphasis on work during middle adulthood regardless of the work being full-time, part-time or volunteer work. D.

Q: The slowdown in learning new information has been linked to changes in _____, where individuals manipulate and assemble information when making decisions, solving problems, and comprehending written and spoken language. A. working memory B. brain circuitry C. episodic memory D.

Q: Which of the following is a common way to assess speed of information processing? A. Reaction-time task B. Phonic simulation C. Visual perception test D.

Q: An adult in middle age will be most likely to do POORLY on which of the following tasks? A. Understanding verbal directions B. Completing a crossword puzzle C. Hitting the brakes of a car when the light suddenly turns red D.

Q: In Schaie's Seattle Longitudinal Study, verbal memory peaked in the: A. twenties. B. thirties. C. sixties. D.

Q: According to cognitive aging expert Denise Park, the slowdown in learning new information has been linked to changes in: A. dopamine levels. B. working memory. C. cognitive atrophy. D.

Q: According to the Seattle Longitudinal Study, which of the following abilities showed signs of early decline? A. Spatial orientation B. Perceptual speed C. Inductive reasoning D.

Q: According to the Seattle Longitudinal Study of individuals aged 25 to 95, which of the following abilities showed the least decline with age? A. Verbal comprehension B. Spatial orientation C. Inductive reasoning D.

Q: Which of the following is the finding of the longitudinal and cross-sectional assessment of intellectual abilities conducted by Schaie? A. Decline in intellectual abilities was more likely in the cross-sectional assessments than in the longitudinal assessments. B. When assessed longitudinally, inductive reasoning showed a consistent decline in the middle adulthood years. C. When assessed cross-sectionally, inductive reasoning increased until toward the end of middle adulthood. D.

Q: What is the notable finding of Schaie's assessment of intellectual abilities of parents and their children? A. The second generation scored higher on numerical abilities. B. The second generation showed higher levels of cognitive functioning in inductive reasoning. C. The offspring generation showed cognitive decline from 60 to 67 years of age. D.

Q: Which of the following is TRUE about research by Schaie and Salthouse? A. B. Salthouse recently has argued that his longitudinal research on aging and cognitive functioning should not be dismissed. C. Salthouse agrees with Schaie that cognitive functioning involving accumulated knowledge, such as vocabulary and general information, does not show early age-related decline but rather continues to increase at least until 60 years of age. D. Schaie has argued that reasoning, memory, spatial visualization, and processing speed begin declining in early adulthood and show further decline in the fifties.

Q: A participant in a study was asked to memorize a list of words and then try to recall as many as possible. This exercise was designed to test the participants _____. A. muscle memory B. implicit memory C. verbal memory D.