Question 1

Until recently,the least studied part of the life span has been
A) adolescence.
B) young adulthood.
C) middle adulthood.
D) older adulthood.

Accepted Answer

Middle adulthood has historically been less studied compared to other life stages, but recent research has started to focus more on this period.

Question 2

In the United States,middle adulthood is
A) a troublesome period, marked by significant physical losses.
B) a time of stress and storm as lifestyles take a severe turn for the worse.
C) currently the age of the best educated and most affluent cohort to ever reach middle age anywhere.
D) a poorly studied period of the life span with contradictory information.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that the current middle-aged cohort in the US is the healthiest, best-educated, and wealthiest to ever reach this stage of life, indicating that middle adulthood in the US is a time of relative prosperity and stability rather than turmoil or decline. Options A, B, and D are incorrect as they are either untrue or lacking in empirical evidence.

Question 3

Aaron,who is now 48 years old,has noticed that he needs to add a lot more spice to his foods to be able to really taste their flavor.According to your text,the best explanation for Aaron's observation is
A) an increase in the number of his olfactory cells.
B) a decrease in the sensitivity of his taste buds.
C) social pressure to eat spicier foods.
D) presbycusis.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

People in middle adulthood are likely to be involved in
A) running departments.
B) children leaving home.
C) caring for aging parents.
D) All of these

Accepted Answer

People in middle adulthood are often involved in running departments, as they may have advanced in their careers and taken on leadership roles. They may also have children leaving home, as this is a common time for children to go off to college or start their own lives. Additionally, many people in middle adulthood are caring for aging parents, as their parents may require more assistance with daily living activities or medical care. Therefore, all of these options are likely scenarios for people in middle adulthood.

Question 5

Jim must hold a newspaper at arm's length to read it.He should be checked for
A) nearsightedness.
B) glaucoma.
C) presbyopia.
D) myopia.

Accepted Answer

Presbyopia is the age-related decline in the ability to focus on near objects, which necessitates holding reading material farther away in order to see it clearly. This is a common problem for people over the age of 40. Nearsightedness (myopia) would make it easier to read material at a close distance, and glaucoma would not necessarily affect one's ability to hold a newspaper at arm's length to read it.

Question 6

Driving ability in middle adulthood usually
A) declines, because of physical losses.
B) is better than ever before, because of experience.
C) is no better or worse than at any other time of life.
D) declines in women but not in men.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that middle-aged individuals tend to have better driving ability than younger drivers, largely due to their experience and knowledge of the roads. While physical declines can occur with age, these are not significant enough to affect overall driving ability in most cases. There is no evidence to suggest that driving ability in middle adulthood declines in women but not in men.

Question 7

Tim has recently realized that he has difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds when he listens to his favorite music on the stereo.His condition is referred to as
A) presbyopia.
B) atonia.
C) presbycusis.
D) pertussis.

Accepted Answer

Presbycusis is the gradual loss of hearing that occurs as people age, particularly in the higher frequency ranges. Therefore, Tim's difficulty in hearing high-pitched sounds indicates that he may be experiencing presbycusis. Presbyopia refers to the age-related decline in near vision, atonia refers to the lack of muscle tone, and pertussis is a contagious respiratory disease.

Question 8

Hearing loss in middle age is
A) greater for women than men.
B) usually sudden.
C) most noticeable in the upper frequencies.
D) most noticeable in the lower frequencies.

Accepted Answer

Hearing loss in middle age is most noticeable in the upper frequencies, which means that people may have difficulty understanding speech or hearing certain sounds, such as birds chirping or alarms ringing. This type of hearing loss is often caused by noise exposure, genetics, or natural aging processes, and affects both men and women. It typically occurs gradually over time, rather than suddenly.

Question 9

According to the MIDUS study,most middle-aged individuals are in good _____ shape and feel good about the quality of their lives.
A) physical
B) cognitive
C) emotional
D) All of these

Accepted Answer

The MIDUS study found that most middle-aged individuals are not only in good physical shape, but also have high levels of cognitive and emotional well-being. Therefore, all of the choices (physical, cognitive, and emotional) are correct.

Question 10

Loss of taste sensitivity in middle age usually
A) is primarily due to the loss of smell.
B) does not begin until well into the sixties.
C) results from injury.
D) results from a decline in the sensitivity of taste buds.

Accepted Answer

Loss of taste sensitivity in middle age is often due to a decline in the sensitivity of taste buds, which can occur naturally as part of the aging process.

Question 11

Tristan,now 54 years old,is constantly complaining to his wife that she keeps the house too dark and he can't see to read his newspaper.It is likely that Tristan is beginning to suffer from
A) presbyopia.
B) presbycusis.
C) arthritis.
D) myopia.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Tristan,now 54 years old,is constantly complaining to...

Question 12

The acronym MIDUS stands for
A) Midlife in the United States Study.
B) Middle Age in the United States Study.
C) Mental Age in the United States Study.
D) Midlife in the Unified States Study.

Accepted Answer

The correct acronym for MIDUS is Midlife in the United States Study. The study focuses on the physical, psychological, and social factors that shape individuals' lives in midlife and beyond.

Question 13

Penelope is 42 years old.According to findings from the MIDUS study,we would expect that she
A) has begun to suffer serious cognitive declines.
B) is in better physical shape than she was in her twenties.
C) is in good emotional shape.
D) is rather pessimistic most of the time.

Accepted Answer

The MIDUS study found that middle-aged individuals, such as Penelope, tend to be in good emotional shape, with increased emotional stability and better control over their emotions. The study did not indicate that she would experience serious cognitive declines or be in better physical shape than in her twenties, and there is no evidence provided to suggest that she is rather pessimistic most of the time.

Question 14

Stacy is reevaluating her earlier career goals,spending more time with her husband after her adult children have left home,and taking stock of her life.She is most likely in
A) adolescence.
B) young adulthood.
C) middle adulthood.
D) later adulthood.

Accepted Answer

Stacy is likely experiencing a midlife crisis, which is a common occurrence in middle adulthood. She is reevaluating her goals and taking stock of her life, which are common experiences during this stage of life.

Question 15

The baby boomers are a part of what life stage today?
A) Early adulthood
B) Middle adulthood
C) Later adulthood
D) Older adulthood

Accepted Answer

Baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964, which means that the youngest of the baby boomers are currently in their mid-50s, while the oldest are in their mid-70s. Therefore, as a generation, they are currently in the middle adulthood stage of life.

Question 16

Changes in appearance in middle age are due to all of the following EXCEPT
A) the layer of fat beneath the skin becomes thinner and skin becomes less taut.
B) less melanin causes hair to become gray and thinner.
C) shrinkage of intervertebral disks.
D) less vitamin and mineral content in diets.

Accepted Answer

The changes in appearance in middle age are primarily due to natural aging processes such as the thinning of the layer of fat beneath the skin and the reduction in skin tautness, as well as a decrease in melanin production that can cause hair to become gray and thinner. Shrinkage of intervertebral disks can also occur with age. However, changes in appearance are not typically caused by a decrease in vitamin or mineral content in diets, as long as individuals are consuming a balanced and healthy diet.

Question 17

Loss of strength after age 45 is attributed to
A) severe health problems in middle age.
B) loss of muscle fiber.
C) loss of fat.
D) injuries for which the body is unable to compensate.

Accepted Answer

Loss of strength after age 45 is primarily attributed to the loss of muscle fiber, which accelerates after the age of 45. This leads to muscle atrophy and a decrease in overall strength. Severe health problems and injuries can also contribute to a loss of strength, but they are not the primary cause. Loss of fat is not directly related to loss of strength.

Question 18

There is no consensus on specific biological or social events that mark the beginning or the end of middle age.All of the following are considered in determining this period EXCEPT
A) the biological aspect, with subjective upper limits due to improved health.
B) the context of family and whether children are grown or still at home.
C) a person's marital status.
D) arbitrary assignment based on chronological age span from 40 to 65.

Accepted Answer

A person's marital status is not relevant to determining middle age. The other options are all commonly considered when determining this period.

Question 19

Loss of endurance during middle adulthood results from a gradual decrease in the rate of
A) physical capacity.
B) basal metabolism.
C) stress-induced stamina.
D) reaction time.

Accepted Answer

During middle adulthood, there is a gradual decrease in basal metabolism, which can contribute to a loss of endurance. Basal metabolism refers to the rate at which the body uses energy while at rest to maintain vital functions such as breathing and keeping warm. As this rate decreases, it can affect overall energy levels and endurance.

Question 20

According to your text,the high-pitched flute solo from the symphony last night would be most difficult for whom to appreciate?
A) A 9-year-old boy
B) A 22-year-old woman
C) A 34-year-old man
D) A 52-year-old woman

Accepted Answer

High-pitched sounds become harder to hear as people age, especially for those over 50, making the flute solo most difficult for the 52-year-old woman to appreciate.

Quiz 15: Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood

Until recently,the least studied part of the life span has been

In the United States,middle adulthood is

Aaron,who is now 48 years old,has noticed that he needs to add a lot more spice to his foods to be able to really taste their flavor.According to your text,the best explanation for Aaron's observation is

People in middle adulthood are likely to be involved in

Jim must hold a newspaper at arm's length to read it.He should be checked for

Driving ability in middle adulthood usually

Tim has recently realized that he has difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds when he listens to his favorite music on the stereo.His condition is referred to as

Hearing loss in middle age is

According to the MIDUS study,most middle-aged individuals are in good _____ shape and feel good about the quality of their lives.

Loss of taste sensitivity in middle age usually

Tristan,now 54 years old,is constantly complaining to his wife that she keeps the house too dark and he can't see to read his newspaper.It is likely that Tristan is beginning to suffer from

The acronym MIDUS stands for

Penelope is 42 years old.According to findings from the MIDUS study,we would expect that she

Stacy is reevaluating her earlier career goals,spending more time with her husband after her adult children have left home,and taking stock of her life.She is most likely in

The baby boomers are a part of what life stage today?

Changes in appearance in middle age are due to all of the following EXCEPT

Loss of strength after age 45 is attributed to

There is no consensus on specific biological or social events that mark the beginning or the end of middle age.All of the following are considered in determining this period EXCEPT

Loss of endurance during middle adulthood results from a gradual decrease in the rate of

According to your text,the high-pitched flute solo from the symphony last night would be most difficult for whom to appreciate?