Question 1

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box "Boosting the Aging Brain" aerobic exercise had which of the following effects on the hippocampus in older adults?
A) Aerobic exercise resulted in a 1.4 percent decline in hippocampal volume over a one-year period.
B) Aerobic exercise resulted in an 80 percent increase in hippocampal volume over a one-year period.
C) Aerobic exercise resulted in a 2 percent increase in hippocampal volume over a one-year period.
D) Aerobic exercise improved memory but did not measurably affect the hippocampus.

Accepted Answer

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box "Boosting the Aging Brain," aerobic exercise resulted in a 2 percent increase in hippocampal volume over a one-year period in older adults.

Question 2

The majority of adults aged 65 and older in the United States are:
A) in nursing homes or other special care facilities.
B) incapacitated by illness or disability.
C) suffering from major neurocognitive disorder or other cognitive impairments.
D) healthy, active, and self-sufficient.

Accepted Answer

According to the US Census Bureau, as of 2019, only about 4% of individuals aged 65 and older were living in nursing homes or other care facilities. While some older adults may experience illness, disability, or cognitive impairments, the majority are healthy, active, and able to live independently.

Question 3

Psychological research has shown that the MOST important factor in determining whether day care will have negative effects on children in later life is:
A) the age at which the child entered day care.
B) the number of hours of day care per week.
C) the quality of the day care.
D) whether day care was in a day care center or in a private home.

Accepted Answer

Numerous studies have found that the quality of day care is the most important factor in determining whether it will have negative effects on children in later life. High-quality day care, where caregivers are responsive, warm, and have appropriate qualifications and training, tends to have positive effects on children's cognitive, social, and emotional development. On the other hand, low-quality day care, where caregivers are insensitive, unresponsive, or have little training, can have negative effects on children's development, such as insecure attachment, behavior problems, and cognitive delays. The age of entry and number of hours in day care are also important considerations, but they are secondary to quality. The type of day care setting (center or home) is unlikely to make a significant difference in outcomes.

Question 4

Which of these psychologists has conducted decades of research on cognitive changes in late adulthood?
A) Jean Piaget
B) Mary D. Salter Ainsworth
C) K. Warner Schaie
D) Lev Vygotsky

Accepted Answer

K. Warner Schaie is the psychologist who has conducted decades of research on cognitive changes in late adulthood.

Question 5

Mr. Lester and Mr. Vann are next-door neighbors. Both Mr. Lester and Mr. Vann live alone, both are 75, and both are in good physical health. Mr. Lester spends most of his time watching television and rarely leaves his house. Mr. Vann reads many books and magazines, walks every day, works as a volunteer at the local library, and frequently plays penny poker with some friends. Based on this information, you can predict that:
A) Mr. Lester and Mr. Vann are likely to experience the same level of decline in mental abilities, since both are the same age.
B) Mr. Lester is likely to experience less of a decline in mental abilities than Mr. Vann, because Mr. Lester conserves his strength and is less likely to get sick.
C) Because he remains mentally and physically active, Mr. Vann is less likely than Mr. Lester to experience a decline in mental abilities.
D) Mr. Vann's multiple roles may increase the level of stress that he experiences.

Accepted Answer

The scenario suggests that Mr. Vann is more mentally and physically active than Mr. Lester, which is likely to reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Studies have shown that engaging in mentally stimulating activities, like reading, volunteering or socializing, can help prevent or slow down age-related cognitive decline. On the other hand, a sedentary lifestyle, like Mr. Lester's, is associated with poorer cognitive outcomes. Although age is a risk factor for cognitive decline, it is not the sole determinant, and lifestyle factors can make a difference. Option A is therefore incorrect because age alone does not predict mental ability decline. Option B assumes that Mr. Lester's sedentary lifestyle is protective, which is not supported by evidence. Option D is a possibility, but it is not mentioned in the scenario, and we cannot determine the level of stress experienced by either of the men.

Question 6

Studies that compared attachment in infants who attended day care with attachment in infants who were cared for by a parent at home showed that:
A) most of the infants in both groups were securely attached.
B) most of the infants in day care were insecurely attached.
C) the proportion of infants in day care who were insecurely attached was four times that of infants who were cared for by a parent at home.
D) infants in day care were securely attached to their caregivers at the day care facility but were insecurely attached to their parents.

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently shown that the majority of infants in both groups, those in day care and those cared for by a parent at home, are securely attached. Therefore, option A is the best choice. Option B is incorrect because most infants in day care are not insecurely attached. Option C is also incorrect because the proportion of insecurely attached infants in day care is not four times higher than in infants who are cared for at home. Option D is incorrect because infants in day care can form secure attachments with their caregivers at the facility and with their parents outside of day care.

Question 7

According to the Critical Thinking box, "The Effects of Child Care on Attachment and Development," the majority of children under the age of five in the United States are in some type of child care. On average, how much time per week do they spend in child care?
A) 52 hours
B) 36 hours
C) 26 hours
D) 12 hours

Accepted Answer

According to the Critical Thinking box, the average amount of time per week that children under the age of five in the United States spend in child care is 36 hours. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer.

Question 8

Linda is trying to select a high-quality day care center for her two-year-old daughter. Which of the following day-care characteristics is NOT associated with high-quality care?
A) A low caregiver-to-child ratio should exist.
B) The daycare center should provide developmentally appropriate learning materials and toys that offer interesting, safe, and achievable activities.
C) Caregivers should be warm, responsive, and well-trained.
D) Caregivers should frequently be reassigned to different groups of children, so that children do not become overly attached to a particular caregiver.

Accepted Answer

Caregivers should not be frequently reassigned to different groups of children, as this can disrupt the child's sense of security and attachment to the caregiver. Consistency and stability in caregiver-child relationships are important for high-quality care. A low caregiver-to-child ratio, developmentally appropriate materials and toys, and well-trained and responsive caregivers are all important indicators of high-quality care.

Question 9

According to the activity theory of aging:
A) as people move from middle adulthood to older adulthood, they should greatly increase their level of activity.
B) older adults should gradually disengage from their social, vocational, and relationship roles and decrease their overall level of activity.
C) older adults should postpone retirement for as long as possible in order to maintain their physical health.
D) older adults will achieve the highest level of life satisfaction if they maintain their previous level of activity.

Accepted Answer

The activity theory of aging suggests that older adults will experience greater life satisfaction if they continue to engage in activities and maintain the level of activity they had in earlier life stages.

Question 10

Psychological research shows that among healthy older adults, ______ experience the LARGEST declines in mental abilities.
A) well-educated people
B) people who are poorly educated and live unstimulating lives
C) people who engage in many physical and mental activities
D) people who are living in a senior housing complex or nursing home

Accepted Answer

Research shows that mental abilities decline more rapidly among older adults who are poorly educated and have less cognitively stimulating lives. This is likely due to a lack of cognitive stimulation and engagement throughout their lives, leading to less overall cognitive reserve. Well-educated individuals and those who engage in many physical and mental activities tend to have higher cognitive reserve, which may help protect against declines in mental abilities with age. Living in a senior housing complex or nursing home may also be associated with declines in mental abilities, but this is not necessarily true for all individuals in these settings.

Question 11

In late adulthood, neurons appear to become _____ at communicating with one another, and this seems to result in _____ cognitive performance.
A) less efficient; slowed
B) more efficient; faster
C) less efficient; faster
D) more efficient; slowed

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that in late adulthood, neurons become less efficient at communicating with one another, which results in slowed cognitive performance.

Question 12

After age 60, a _____ percentage of adults experience _____ declines in general intellectual abilities.
A) large; sharp
B) small; sharp
C) large; slight
D) small; slight

Accepted Answer

After age 60, most adults experience only slight declines in general intellectual abilities, not sharp or large declines.

Question 13

Compared to now, by the year 2050 the number of Americans who will be 65 years of age or older will:
A) decrease.
B) double.
C) remain the same.
D) quadruple.

Accepted Answer

According to the United Nations, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2050. This increase is largely due to the aging Baby Boomer generation and longer life expectancies.

Question 14

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box, "Boosting the Aging Brain," dozens of studies have shown that _____ can improve cognitive functioning in old age.
A) napping
B) aerobic exercise
C) remaining sedentary
D) nothing

Accepted Answer

Dozens of studies have shown that aerobic exercise can improve cognitive functioning in old age.

Question 15

Psychologist Kirk Erickson and colleagues designed an experiment to test whether aerobic exercise could improve brain health and cognitive functioning in older adults who were sedentary but in good physical health. Which of the following statements is NOT a conclusion that can be drawn from the study's findings?
A) Even in late adulthood, behavioral interventions can affect brain structure.
B) Aerobic exercise helps keep the brain healthy and may protect brain tissue from age-related deterioration.
C) A sedentary lifestyle has no effect on brain health as long as people exercise in late adulthood.
D) A very moderate, simple exercise program can significantly improve cognitive abilities and brain health.

Accepted Answer

The study's findings actually suggest that a sedentary lifestyle does impact brain health and that exercise can help counteract the negative effects of sedentary behavior. Therefore, option C, "A sedentary lifestyle has no effect on brain health as long as people exercise in late adulthood," is not a conclusion that can be drawn from the study's findings.

Question 16

In the United States, average life expectancy for men is about _____ years, whereas average life expectancy for women is about _____ years.
A) 79; 72
B) 82; 89
C) 76; 81
D) 64; 71

Accepted Answer

As of recent data, the average life expectancy for men in the United States is approximately 76 years, and for women, it is about 81 years.

Question 17

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box, "Boosting the Aging Brain," why did researchers look for changes in the hippocampus when studying the effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive functioning and brain health in old age?
A) Changes in the hippocampus are easier to measure than changes in other brain structures.
B) The hippocampus is involved in memory.
C) The hippocampus typically shrinks in this age group.
D) The hippocampus is involved in bodily movement.

Accepted Answer

The hippocampus is involved in memory, which is a cognitive function particularly relevant to aging. Therefore, researchers chose to investigate the changes in the hippocampus when studying the effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive functioning and brain health in the elderly.

Question 18

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box "Boosting the Aging Brain" if older adults engage in _____, it can improve their memory and increase the volume of their hippocampus.
A) anaerobic exercise
B) aerobic exercise
C) psychotherapy
D) yoga

Accepted Answer

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box "Boosting the Aging Brain," engaging in aerobic exercise can improve memory and increase the volume of the hippocampus in older adults.

Question 19

According the Focus on Neuroscience box "Boosting the Aging Brain" which of the following behaviors is neuroprotective?
A) taking a daily multivitamin
B) aerobic exercise
C) napping
D) performing visualization exercises

Accepted Answer

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box "Boosting the Aging Brain," aerobic exercise is neuroprotective and can increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain, stimulate the growth of new brain cells, and enhance cognitive function. While taking a daily multivitamin may provide essential nutrients, it is not specifically mentioned as neuroprotective. Napping and performing visualization exercises may have some benefits but are not listed as neuroprotective behaviors in the box.

Question 20

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box "Boosting the Aging Brain" aerobic exercise in older adults improved their _____ and increased the volume of their _____.
A) memory; hippocampus
B) vision; primary visual cortex
C) decision making; frontal cortex
D) emotional well-being; amygdala

Accepted Answer

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box "Boosting the Aging Brain," aerobic exercise in older adults improved their memory and increased the volume of their hippocampus.

Quiz 9: Lifespan Development

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box "Boosting the Aging Brain" aerobic exercise had which of the following effects on the hippocampus in older adults?

The majority of adults aged 65 and older in the United States are:

Psychological research has shown that the MOST important factor in determining whether day care will have negative effects on children in later life is:

Which of these psychologists has conducted decades of research on cognitive changes in late adulthood?

Studies that compared attachment in infants who attended day care with attachment in infants who were cared for by a parent at home showed that:

According to the Critical Thinking box, "The Effects of Child Care on Attachment and Development," the majority of children under the age of five in the United States are in some type of child care. On average, how much time per week do they spend in child care?

Linda is trying to select a high-quality day care center for her two-year-old daughter. Which of the following day-care characteristics is NOT associated with high-quality care?

According to the activity theory of aging:

Psychological research shows that among healthy older adults, ______ experience the LARGEST declines in mental abilities.

In late adulthood, neurons appear to become _ at communicating with one another, and this seems to result in _ cognitive performance.

After age 60, a _ percentage of adults experience _ declines in general intellectual abilities.

Compared to now, by the year 2050 the number of Americans who will be 65 years of age or older will:

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box, "Boosting the Aging Brain," dozens of studies have shown that _____ can improve cognitive functioning in old age.

In the United States, average life expectancy for men is about _ years, whereas average life expectancy for women is about _ years.

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box, "Boosting the Aging Brain," why did researchers look for changes in the hippocampus when studying the effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive functioning and brain health in old age?

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box "Boosting the Aging Brain" if older adults engage in _____, it can improve their memory and increase the volume of their hippocampus.

According the Focus on Neuroscience box "Boosting the Aging Brain" which of the following behaviors is neuroprotective?

According to the Focus on Neuroscience box "Boosting the Aging Brain" aerobic exercise in older adults improved their _ and increased the volume of their _.