Question 1

People tend to shrink as they get older. One longitudinal study found that adults lost an average of about _____ inches over a 30-year period.
A)1½
B)2
C)2½
D)3

Accepted Answer

Adults tend to lose about 1½ inches in height over a 30-year period due to factors such as changes in posture, compression of spinal discs, and loss of bone density.

Question 2

With respect to Kohlberg's moral reasoning, broad principles are to social relationships as _____ is to _____.
A)preconventional; postconventional
B)conventional; postconventional
C)unconventional; conventional
D)postconventional; conventional

Accepted Answer

Kohlberg's moral reasoning theory includes three stages: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. In the postconventional stage, individuals develop a broader, more abstract set of ethical principles based on universal moral values such as justice, equality, and human rights. This is contrasted with the conventional stage, in which people are more focused on fitting in with societal norms and rules. Therefore, the correct answer is D - postconventional is to broad principles as conventional is to social relationships.

Question 3

Does fertility decline in men?
A)Yes, around age 40.
B)Yes, around age 50.
C)Yes, around age 60.
D)No, fertility doesn't decline in men.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Does fertility decline in men?
A)Yes, around age...

Question 4

From the late teens into the mid-20s, individuals are in a transitional phase that developmental psychologists call _____ adulthood.
A)emerging
B)beginning
C)developing
D)launching

Accepted Answer

Emerging adulthood is a term used by developmental psychologists to describe the stage of life that occurs between adolescence and adulthood, typically spanning from the late teens to the mid-20s. This period is characterized by exploring various life possibilities, such as education, work, relationships, and personal identity, and is often associated with a sense of instability, uncertainty, and self-discovery. The term "beginning adulthood" is not commonly used in developmental psychology, whereas "developing adulthood" and "launching adulthood" are not specific enough to describe the unique features of this phase.

Question 5

Jack registered as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. He believed that it is wrong to take human life. He was willing to serve time in jail, rather than take part in an armed conflict. Jack's reasons for not going to war reflect Kohlberg's _____ level of moral reasoning.
A)preconventional
B)conventional
C)postconventional
D)postoperational

Accepted Answer

Postconventional moral reasoning involves evaluating moral decisions based on universal ethical principles, rather than just following societal norms or avoiding punishment. Jack's decision to register as a conscientious objector and go to jail rather than participate in war shows that he is making a moral decision based on his own ethical principles, rather than just following the rules or avoiding punishment (which would be characteristic of preconventional or conventional morality).

Question 6

When a woman stops ovulating and becomes incapable of reproduction, she experiences:
A)amenorrhea.
B)andropause.
C)menopause.
D)menarche.

Accepted Answer

Menopause is when a woman stops ovulating and becomes incapable of reproduction. Amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstrual periods, which may or may not be related to menopause. Andropause is a term used to describe a decline in testosterone levels in men, which is not relevant to menopause. Menarche is the first menstrual period a girl experiences at the onset of puberty, which is not related to menopause.

Question 7

Erickson et al. (2011) randomly assigned older adults to one of two activities: a gentle stretching condition, or a more intense aerobic exercise condition. The activity is the _____ variable in this study.
A)control
B)experimental
C)independent
D)dependent

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or changed in the study. In this case, the researchers have randomly assigned older adults to one of two activities: gentle stretching or more intense aerobic exercise. The activity is the variable that is being manipulated, so it is the independent variable.

Question 8

Longitudinal research by Schaie and his colleagues suggests that measurable cognitive decline is not apparent before age:
A)40
B)50
C)60
D)70

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal research by Schaie and his colleagues indicate that cognitive decline is not measured before the age of 60. This suggests that cognitive decline is not an inevitable aspect of the aging process and that individuals can maintain their cognitive abilities until at least age 60.

Question 9

Grace is a 19-year-old college sophomore. She is living away from home for the first time and is trying to decide on a major. Grace is in a phase of life many developmental psychologists call _____ adulthood.
A)developing
B)beginning
C)emerging
D)launching

Accepted Answer

Emerging adulthood is a term coined by developmental psychologists to describe the period between adolescence and adulthood, typically ranging from ages 18-25. This period is characterized by exploring different identities, making important life decisions such as choosing a major or career path, and gaining independence. Grace fits well within this age range and the description of this developmental stage.

Question 10

Erickson et al. (2011) randomly assigned older adults to one of two activities: a gentle stretching condition or a more intense aerobic exercise condition. Because Erickson et al. randomly assigned participants to activities and because they deliberately manipulated the activity, their investigation is an example of the _____ research method.
A)correlational
B)experimental
C)case study
D)naturalistic observation

Accepted Answer

Erickson et al.'s investigation is an example of the experimental research method because they randomly assigned participants to activities (manipulated the independent variable) and then observed the effects on their cognitive function (measured the dependent variable).

Question 11

According to the text, physical exercise in late adulthood encourages the birth of new neurons in areas responsible for learning and memory. In other words, exercise facilitates _____ in the _____.
A)neurogenesis; amygdala
B)neurogenesis; hippocampus
C)synaptogenesis; amygdala
D)synaptogenesis; hippocampus

Accepted Answer

The text states that physical exercise in late adulthood encourages neurogenesis (the birth of new neurons) in areas responsible for learning and memory. The hippocampus is a brain region that plays a crucial role in learning and memory, as well as in neurogenesis. Therefore, the best answer is B. The amygdala is not as strongly implicated in those processes and synaptogenesis (the formation of new synapses between neurons) was not mentioned in the text as being facilitated by exercise.

Question 12

In their late 30s, women experience an approximately _____% reduction in fertility.
A)10
B)15
C)25
D)30

Accepted Answer

The answer of In their late 30s, women experience an...

Question 13

Late adulthood begins at about age:
A)55.
B)65.
C)70.
D)75.

Accepted Answer

Late adulthood is typically defined as the period of life beginning at age 65, which is when most people retire and become eligible for various senior benefits and services. While there is some variation in how different researchers and organizations define late adulthood, age 65 is a commonly used cutoff point.

Question 14

Which of these is an operational definition of crystallized intelligence?
A)the speed with one performs numerical calculations
B)one's score on a vocabulary test
C)the accuracy with which one solves analogies between abstract diagrams
D)the speed with which one reads nonfiction

Accepted Answer

Crystallized intelligence refers to accumulated knowledge and skills, typically acquired through education and experience. A score on a vocabulary test can be seen as a measure of one's accumulated knowledge and would therefore be an operational definition of crystallized intelligence. The other options, such as speed or accuracy in specific tasks, do not necessarily reflect accumulated knowledge and skills.

Question 15

According to Kohlberg, decisions at the postconventional level of moral reasoning are based on:
A)social approval.
B)personal gain.
C)beliefs about morality.
D)external consequences.

Accepted Answer

According to Kohlberg, postconventional moral reasoning is based on a personal set of ethical principles and beliefs about morality, rather than external consequences, social approval or personal gain. Individuals at the postconventional level have developed a more complex sense of morality, and their decision-making is guided by a sense of justice, social responsibility, and respect for individual rights.

Question 16

Criticism of Kohlberg's theory of moral development has revolved around:
A)its potential female bias.
B)its potential lack of generality across cultures.
C)its focus on moral behavior.
D)the fact that it only has three stages.

Accepted Answer

Kohlberg's theory of moral development has been criticized for its potential lack of generality across cultures. Some researchers have argued that the stages of moral development identified by Kohlberg may only apply to certain cultural contexts and may not be universal.

Question 17

Over the past 40 years in the United States, the average age at first marriage has _____ for both men and women.
A)remained constant
B)decreased by about 2 years
C)increased by about 2 years
D)increased by about 5 years

Accepted Answer

Over the past 40 years, there has been a significant increase in the average age at first marriage for both men and women in the United States, with the average age increasing by about 5 years. This trend reflects changes in societal norms, economic factors, and individual priorities.

Question 18

The frequency of exercise is _____ correlated with good bone density in middle age and late life.
A)not
B)negatively
C)positively
D)perfectly

Accepted Answer

The word "correlated" suggests a relationship between two factors. "Not" and "negatively" would suggest that exercise has no effect or a negative effect on bone density, which is not supported by the statement. "Perfectly" would suggest that there is a direct, 100% correlation between exercise and good bone density, which may not be accurate or realistic. Therefore, the best choice is C, positively correlated, as this suggests that there is a relationship between exercise and good bone density, implying that exercise can help improve bone density.

Question 19

According to the textbook, during late adulthood, the brain processes information more slowly and brain regions responsible for memory deteriorate. Based on this information, and on your knowledge of the brain, you infer that the ____ deteriorates in old age.
A)cerebellum
B)hypothalamus
C)amygdala
D)hippocampus

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is the brain region responsible for memory consolidation and retrieval, and it is known to deteriorate in old age.

Question 20

What percentage of adults attain Piaget's formal operational stage of cognitive development?
A)50
B)65
C)75
D)100

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that approximately 50% of adults reach the formal operational stage, where they can think abstractly and reason logically.

Quiz 8: Cognition, Language, and Intelligence

People tend to shrink as they get older. One longitudinal study found that adults lost an average of about _____ inches over a 30-year period.

With respect to Kohlberg's moral reasoning, broad principles are to social relationships as _ is to _.

Does fertility decline in men?

From the late teens into the mid-20s, individuals are in a transitional phase that developmental psychologists call _____ adulthood.

Jack registered as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. He believed that it is wrong to take human life. He was willing to serve time in jail, rather than take part in an armed conflict. Jack's reasons for not going to war reflect Kohlberg's _____ level of moral reasoning.

When a woman stops ovulating and becomes incapable of reproduction, she experiences:

Erickson et al. (2011) randomly assigned older adults to one of two activities: a gentle stretching condition, or a more intense aerobic exercise condition. The activity is the _____ variable in this study.

Longitudinal research by Schaie and his colleagues suggests that measurable cognitive decline is not apparent before age:

Grace is a 19-year-old college sophomore. She is living away from home for the first time and is trying to decide on a major. Grace is in a phase of life many developmental psychologists call _____ adulthood.

According to the text, physical exercise in late adulthood encourages the birth of new neurons in areas responsible for learning and memory. In other words, exercise facilitates _ in the _.

In their late 30s, women experience an approximately _____% reduction in fertility.

Late adulthood begins at about age:

Which of these is an operational definition of crystallized intelligence?

According to Kohlberg, decisions at the postconventional level of moral reasoning are based on:

Criticism of Kohlberg's theory of moral development has revolved around:

Over the past 40 years in the United States, the average age at first marriage has _____ for both men and women.

The frequency of exercise is _____ correlated with good bone density in middle age and late life.

According to the textbook, during late adulthood, the brain processes information more slowly and brain regions responsible for memory deteriorate. Based on this information, and on your knowledge of the brain, you infer that the ____ deteriorates in old age.

What percentage of adults attain Piaget's formal operational stage of cognitive development?