Question 1

Schaie (2000) found that there were gains in all cognitive abilities from early adulthood to middle age.

Accepted Answer

Schaie's study found that there were gains in all cognitive abilities from early adulthood to middle age.

Question 2

Lehman (1953) found that psychologists were at their peak (in terms of achievement) at an older age than any other profession examined.

Accepted Answer

Lehman (1953) found that peak productivity for most creative professionals, including psychologists, typically occurred in their late 30s to early 40s, not at an older age compared to other professions.

Question 3

How well a person adjusts to a new lifestyle in late middle age and whether the turning point ushers in psychological growth, stagnation or loss will depend largely on cultural norms rather than the individual's personality.

Accepted Answer

While cultural norms can influence how a person adjusts to changes in late middle age, individual personality, resilience, personal experiences, and support systems play a significant role in determining whether they experience psychological growth, stagnation, or loss during such transitions.

Question 4

In Indigenous Australians, as among the New Zealand Maori, the ascent to elder status brings with it reduced social status but increased spiritual and cultural responsibilities.

Accepted Answer

In Indigenous Australian cultures, as well as among the New Zealand Maori, ascending to elder status typically brings with it increased social status, respect, and responsibilities, including spiritual and cultural duties, rather than a reduction in social status.

Question 5

Once oestrogen levels in the bloodstream drop to about one half, menstruation ceases and the habitual cyclic ups and downs of the menses are replaced by a steadier hormonal balance.

Accepted Answer

Menstruation ceases when estrogen levels drop significantly, typically during menopause, not when they drop by half. The cessation of menstruation is due to the end of ovarian follicular activity, not a reduction to half of estrogen levels.

Question 6

Mitchell and Helson (1990) found that 50- year- olds feel happier, healthier, more proud of themselves and more confident than 30- and 40- year olds and older women in their 60s and 70s.

Accepted Answer

Mitchell and Helson (1990) found that 50-year-olds feel happier, healthier, more proud of themselves, and more confident than other age groups. They did not mention older women in their 60s and 70s feeling happier and more confident than 50-year-olds.

Question 7

Some grandparents feel that this role makes them feel young again, although others mention how tired they become after a day with a grandchild and relish the luxury, not accorded to parents, of being able to give the child back.

Accepted Answer

The statement mentions that "some grandparents feel that this role makes them feel young again", indicating that it is true that some grandparents feel rejuvenated in their role as grandparents. It also mentions "others mention how tired they become after a day with a grandchild and relish the luxury, not accorded to parents, of being able to give the child back", which again is true and provides another perspective on the experiences of grandparents.

Question 8

Cox (1970) found that for North American families with offspring in their 30s, an uneasy truce is characteristic of the relationship of the younger generation with their parents in more than a third of cases. A sixth of the younger generation are angry and condemning towards their parents and only half of the group genuinely enjoy and value their parents.

Accepted Answer

The specific findings and percentages mentioned are not directly from Cox (1970). The study by Cox might discuss generational relationships, but the detailed statistics provided here do not accurately represent the findings of that specific research.

Question 9

Despite the relative suddenness and far- reaching hormonal and reproductive consequences of menopause, it has surprisingly little influence on the purely physical side of female sexuality.

Accepted Answer

While menopause can bring about changes in libido and vaginal dryness, it does not significantly impact the physical aspects of female sexuality such as genital anatomy and sensitivity.

Question 10

According to Tinsley and Parke (1987), grandmothers were found to do less caregiving (checking on the infant or changing nappies) and less serious teaching than grandfathers.

Accepted Answer

According to Tinsley and Parke (1987), grandmothers were found to do more caregiving (checking on the infant or changing nappies) and more serious teaching than grandfathers.

Question 11

For men, serious psychological upsets (e.g. divorce or job retrenchment) can boost the production of the stress hormone adrenal cortisone to the point where it interferes with the body's normal manufacture of testosterone.

Accepted Answer

This is a well-established phenomenon known as "adrenal fatigue" which can lead to decreased testosterone production, among other health issues.

Quiz 15: Late Adulthood: Physical, Cognitive, Social and Personality Development in a Nutshell