Question 1

Which of the following represents patterns of aging in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

A

Question 2

The author of your text had a grandmother who lived to be over 108 years old. She is an example of a/an:

Accepted Answer

The best choice is E, centenarian, which refers to a person who is 100 years old or older. The fact that the author's grandmother lived to be over 108 years old fits this definition. The other choices (A) gerontologist, (B) sandwich generation, (C) ADL, and (D) triple jeopardy, do not apply to the author's grandmother.

Question 3

A government cash assistance entitlement program for the elderly that we have come to call "Social Security" is actually titled:

Accepted Answer

This is the actual title of the program, commonly referred to as "Social Security." It provides cash assistance to eligible individuals based on their age, disability status, or survivorship. Medicare is a separate program that provides health insurance to individuals over 65, while regressive tax refers to a tax system where the rate decreases as the taxable amount increases, which is not directly related to this program. Poor laws and gerontology are not relevant to this question.

Question 4

The theoretical perspective that believes that many other theories about aging reinforce ageist attitudes about the elderly and legitimize policies that reinforce dependency at the expense of empowerment is:

Accepted Answer

The perspective that believes that many other theories about aging reinforce ageist attitudes about the elderly and legitimize policies that reinforce dependency at the expense of empowerment is critical theory. This perspective emphasizes the role of power dynamics and advocates for challenging and changing societal structures that perpetuate ageism and inequalities in aging.

Question 5

The largest component of the elderly's income comes from what source?

Accepted Answer

Social Security is the primary source of income for the majority of elderly individuals in the United States. According to the Social Security Administration, nearly 9 out of 10 people age 65 and older receive Social Security benefits, and it accounts for about two-thirds of the income received by seniors.

Question 6

According to Figure 12.6, by age 85 and over, about ________ of females are widowed, compared to about ________ of males who are widowed.

Accepted Answer

By age 85 and over, about three-quarters of females are widowed, compared to a little over one-third of males who are widowed.

Question 7

Most countries will see a ________ in both the sheer number of oldest-old, and their proportion of the elderly overall.

Accepted Answer

According to demographic projections, the number and proportion of oldest-old (age 85 and above) will increase rapidly in most countries in the coming years. This is due to a combination of factors, including higher life expectancy and declining fertility rates, which result in a larger and older population overall.

Question 8

Why is the world's population aging so quickly?

Accepted Answer

This choice accurately reflects the fact that people are living longer and having fewer children, leading to a higher proportion of older individuals in the population.

Question 9

All of the following would be denied to same-sex elderly couples EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Same-sex elderly couples should have the legal right to decide on the type of funeral for a partner, just like heterosexual couples. The other options (A, B, C, and E) are all potential benefits or protections that same-sex couples could be denied due to their gender or sexual orientation.

Question 10

An interdisciplinary science of aging that draws upon biology, medicine, and the social sciences is called:

Accepted Answer

Gerontology is the interdisciplinary study of aging that encompasses biology, medicine, sociology, psychology, and other related disciplines. It involves the study of the physical, psychological, and social aspects of aging and provides insights into how individuals can maintain and improve their health and well-being in later life. The other answer choices are not recognized terms in the field of gerontology.

Question 11

Life expectancy:

Accepted Answer

Life expectancy can be calculated at any age, not just at birth, and represents the average number of years a person can expect to live based on current mortality rates.

Question 12

Maxine is doing research on the elderly, and she is interested in discovering the ways that the elderly either continue the roles and activities they have developed over their lives or substitute new ones, because she assumes that older people are happiest when they stay involved. What theory guides her research?

Accepted Answer

Maxine's assumption that older people are happiest when they stay involved aligns with the principles of activity theory, which proposes that older adults remain happiest and most satisfied when they continue to engage in social and productive activities.

Question 13

The "oldest-old" cohort usually refers to people who are age

Accepted Answer

The "oldest-old" cohort typically refers to individuals who are 85 years old and above. This age group is characterized by increased health challenges, including chronic illnesses, mobility issues, and cognitive decline, which can impact their quality of life and ability to function independently.

Question 14

Cassie is experiencing "triple jeopardy," which refers to:

Accepted Answer

Triple jeopardy refers to the combination of three different factors that put someone at a disadvantage in society, such as being elderly, female, and a minority. Cassie, in this case, is likely facing discrimination and unequal treatment due to all three factors.

Question 15

According to the World Map, the area LEAST likely to see tremendous growth in the proportion of elderly in the population is:

Accepted Answer

Africa has the lowest proportion of elderly in the population and is therefore the area least likely to see tremendous growth in this demographic.

Question 16

Which of the following is true about the sex lives of elders?

Accepted Answer

Many elderly people are sexually active. While there may be some decline in sexual activity as people age, studies have shown that a significant number of older adults remain sexually active. This may be influenced by factors such as good physical and mental health, availability of partners, and access to appropriate healthcare services.

Question 17

After centuries of having a high fertility rate and low life expectancy, China has changed. Over the last few decades China has achieved very low fertility rates, and life expectancy has increased significantly. This is referred to as the:

Accepted Answer

The term "demographic transition" refers to the shift from high fertility rates and low life expectancy to low fertility rates and longer life expectancy. This process has occurred in China over the last few decades, making D the best choice. A, B, C, and E are not accurate descriptions of this phenomenon.

Question 18

Trevor earned $106,800 in 2010; therefore, he paid 6.2 percent of his income in Social Security taxes or $6,675. Meanwhile, Cody earned $213,600 and also paid 6.2 percent on his first $106,800, and then nothing on the rest, also coming to $6,675. Therefore, Social Security taxes are called _________.

Accepted Answer

Social Security taxes are regressive because they are a flat percentage of income up to a certain limit, which means that those with lower incomes pay a higher percentage of their income than those with higher incomes. This is because once a person's income exceeds the limit, they no longer have to pay Social Security taxes on any additional income.

Question 19

According to Figure 12.2, which compares the age-sex structure of developing countries and developed countries:

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Figure 12.2, which compares the...

Question 20

Which is true with respect to widowhood?

Accepted Answer

Over 14 million persons are classified as widowed in the U.S. and 85 percent of them are women.

Quiz 12: Aging Families