Question 1

Girls and young women tend to have self-esteem issues and depressive symptoms more frequently than do boys and men.What happens in late adulthood?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that gender differences in self-esteem and depressive symptoms tend to decrease or disappear in late adulthood. This may be due to a number of factors, such as changes in social roles and responsibilities, health status, and social support networks. Studies have found that older men and women tend to have similar levels of self-esteem and depressive symptoms, with some evidence suggesting that older women may actually have slightly higher levels of self-esteem than older men.

Question 2

One national American study of adults ages 18 and over found that adults over age 55 were less likely than any younger age group to report symptoms that fit the diagnosis of _____.

Accepted Answer

The study found that adults over age 55 were less likely than any younger age group to report symptoms that fit the diagnosis of major depressive disorder.

Question 3

According to Carstensen and her colleagues,the goals that people have for their social relationships when they are younger are _________.

Accepted Answer

Carstensen and her colleagues suggest that younger individuals prioritize knowledge-based goals in their social relationships, focusing on acquiring information and learning from others.

Question 4

According to Erikson,ego _____ involves looking back on one's life and accepting the outcome of it; whereas,ego _____ entails regrets and bitterness about the course of one's life,and a conclusion that it has not gone well and now cannot be changed.

Accepted Answer

Erikson's final stage of psychosocial development is integrity vs despair. In this stage, individuals look back on their lives and either feel a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment (integrity) or regret and bitterness (despair). Inferiority and mistrust are stages from earlier in Erikson's model, and do not pertain to this question.

Question 5

Erik Erikson,in his theory of the lifespan,proposed that late adulthood is when the central challenge is _____.

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's theory, ego integrity vs. despair is the central challenge of late adulthood. This stage involves reflecting on one's life and accepting the choices that were made, as well as reconciling with the inevitability of death. Achieving a sense of integrity leads to a sense of fulfillment and wisdom, whereas despair can lead to feelings of regret, disappointment, and hopelessness.

Question 6

Your uncle,who is 82 years old,has very been having serious difficulties with his hearing.Although he does not want to get hearing aids,you know that if he does not get some help with his hearing,he is likely to become _________.

Accepted Answer

As per the given scenario, the uncle is facing serious difficulties with his hearing, but he is not willing to get hearing aids. This can lead to him feeling left out in conversations and activities, which can eventually cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and depression.

Question 7

An individual who is in late adulthood can be categorized into Erikson's stage of _____.

Accepted Answer

Late adulthood corresponds to Erikson's eighth and final stage of psychosocial development, ego integrity vs. despair. This stage involves reflecting on one's life and coming to terms with one's accomplishments and regrets. It is a time for accepting one's limitations and finding satisfaction in one's achievements, rather than dwelling excessively on missed opportunities or unfulfilled goals.

Question 8

The majority of research on emotions and the self-concept of individuals in late adulthood have concluded that most individuals have a greater number of _____.

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently found that individuals in late adulthood experience a greater number of positive emotions and have a more positive self-esteem. This is often attributed to a greater sense of wisdom, acceptance of aging, and the ability to focus on what is important in life.

Question 9

Research on emotions and the self-concept of individuals during late adulthood has speculated that positive emotions and self-esteem tend to be high because older adults _____.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that older adults tend to experience positive emotions and have a high level of self-esteem because they are more accepting of their past and present selves. They have also had more life experiences and have learned to cope with challenges, which can lead to a greater sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance. While factors such as financial stability and successfully completing an identity crisis may contribute to positive emotions and self-esteem, they are not the main reasons why older adults tend to experience these outcomes.

Question 10

A longitudinal study (Smith & Freund,2002)examined the "possible selves" of Germans who were between 70 and 103 years old over a four-year period and found that they _____.

Accepted Answer

The study found that Germans between 70-103 years old still had goals for self-development that they wanted to achieve. This suggests that despite their age, they still had a sense of purpose and desire to continue growing and improving themselves. The other answer choices (A, B, and C) are not supported by the study.

Question 11

According to Erikson,an individual who experiences ego despair has _______.

Accepted Answer

Erikson believed that in the last stage of life, ego integrity versus despair, an individual reflects on their life and may experience either a sense of satisfaction or regret and bitterness. Those who experience ego despair feel that they have not accomplished what they wished, and that their life has been wasted.

Question 12

In asking Fred,who is in late adulthood,if he could go back to any age in his life and change anything,which age would it be? Fred replies that he is content,that his life has been good,and that he rather not change anything about it,even his mistakes.According to Erikson,it is clear that Fred possesses _________.

Accepted Answer

Fred's response indicates a sense of satisfaction with his life, including his mistakes, which aligns with Erikson's concept of ego integrity. This refers to the final stage of psychosocial development in which individuals who have successfully navigated the challenges of earlier stages achieve a sense of wholeness and acceptance of their life as it is. Ego despair and ego mistrust are stages that occur earlier in life and would not apply to Fred in this context. Ego contentment is not a recognized stage in Erikson's theory.

Question 13

In a classic study (Neugarten; 1972,1977),Americans in late adulthood were interviewed and the study revealed a variety of different paths of self-development.The most common was what she termed the "integrated personality" in which the individual _______.

Accepted Answer

According to the text, the most common path of self-development in Americans in late adulthood is the "integrated personality," which implies that the individual accepts becoming older. Therefore, the best choice is D. A is incorrect because mourning implies a negative attitude towards aging, while the integrated personality is a positive path of self-development. B is incorrect because rejection also implies a negative attitude towards aging. C is incorrect because ambivalence implies mixed feelings towards aging, while the integrated personality is characterized by a more positive and accepting attitude.

Question 14

According to Erikson,an individual who experiences ego integrity has _____.

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, ego integrity is the final stage, which occurs during late adulthood. In this stage, individuals reflect upon their life and have a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. They have come to terms with their past and have accepted both the good and the bad outcomes of their life. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer.

Question 15

Erikson proposed that late adulthood is when the central challenge is _______.

Accepted Answer

Erikson proposed that the central challenge of late adulthood is integrity versus despair, which involves reflecting on one's life and feeling a sense of satisfaction or regret. This stage is marked by the potential for wisdom and acceptance of mortality.

Question 16

Which of the following is Laura Carstensen's theory that proposes older adults maximize their emotional well-being by becoming increasingly selective in their social contacts?

Accepted Answer

Laura Carstensen's theory that proposes older adults maximize their emotional well-being by becoming increasingly selective in their social contacts is called the socioemotional selectivity theory.

Question 17

Mroczek (2001)asked over 2,700 Americans aged 25 to 74 years about their emotional status during the past 30 days.Mroczek found that positive emotions _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mroczek (2001)asked over 2,700 Americans aged 25...

Question 18

According to Carstensen,the goals that people have for their social relationships when they are in late adulthood are _________.

Accepted Answer

According to Carstensen, the goals that people have for their social relationships in late adulthood are emotions-based, which includes seeking emotional satisfaction, enjoyment, and nurturing relationships.

Question 19

From research on emotions in the self-concept of individuals during late adulthood,descriptors such as "cheerful","calm and peaceful",and "in good spirits" describe _____.

Accepted Answer

Descriptors such as "cheerful," "calm and peaceful," and "in good spirits" are all associated with positive emotions.

Question 20

For both self-esteem and depressive symptoms,studies have consistently found that the gender differences that exist in earlier development _____.

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently found that gender differences in self-esteem and depressive symptoms diminish or disappear by late adulthood. This may be due to societal expectations and roles becoming less rigid as individuals age, leading to a decreased emphasis on gender differences. Additionally, factors such as increased life experience and coping strategies may contribute to a more equal distribution of self-esteem and depressive symptoms among older adults.

Quiz 12: Late Adulthood