Question 1

Research on people's feelings of satisfaction with their lives indicates that
A) adolescents report being slightly happier than people older than 65 years.
B) people older than 65 years report being slightly happier than adolescents.
C) middle-aged adults report being slightly happier than both adolescents and people older than 65 years.
D) compared with other phases of life,the over-65 years are not notably unhappy.

Accepted Answer

Research shows that compared with other phases of life, the over-65 years are not notably unhappy. This debunks the stereotype that aging is associated with unhappiness and dissatisfaction with life. However, satisfaction with life is a subjective experience and can vary from person to person.

Question 2

Emotional instability has been found to be
A) highest among 30-year-olds.
B) highest among 40-year-olds.
C) highest among 50-year-olds.
D) similar among adults at all of these ages.

Accepted Answer

Emotional instability does not significantly vary across these specific age groups (30s, 40s, 50s), as emotional experiences and regulation tend to stabilize in adulthood, showing similar patterns across these ages.

Question 3

Erik Erikson maintained that the two basic aspects of life that dominate adulthood are
A) identity and independence.
B) intimacy and identity.
C) intimacy and generativity.
D) independence and generativity.

Accepted Answer

Erik Erikson believed that during adulthood, individuals face the psychosocial stage of intimacy versus isolation, which involves forming close relationships with others. He also believed that adults must grapple with the stage of generativity versus stagnation, which focuses on making meaningful contributions to society and future generations. Therefore, the two basic aspects of life he identified for adulthood are intimacy and generativity.

Question 4

In explaining pair-bonding among humans,it has been suggested that parents who cooperated to nurture their children to maturity were more likely to have their genes passed on to future generations.This best illustrates a(n)________ perspective.
A) neurological
B) cross-sectional
C) evolutionary
D) longitudinal

Accepted Answer

The explanation suggests that the perspective being referred to is evolutionary, which focuses on how behaviors and traits have evolved over time through natural selection.

Question 5

Dr.Anders is a 44-year-old physician who experiences a sense of personal fulfillment in contributing to the well-being of others through her medical practice.Erik Erikson would have suggested that Dr.Anders experiences
A) plasticity.
B) autonomy.
C) neurogenesis.
D) generativity.

Accepted Answer

Erikson's theory proposed that in middle adulthood, the primary psychosocial crisis is generativity vs. stagnation. Generativity involves a sense of contributing to the future, often through work or parenting, and experiencing personal fulfillment in these roles. Dr. Anders experiences a sense of personal fulfillment through contributing to the well-being of others through her medical practice, which aligns with the concept of generativity.

Question 6

Professor Appledorn emphasizes that whether people flourish in late adulthood depends on a continuous interaction among their inborn temperaments,their personal relationships,and their mental expectations regarding the aging process.The professor's viewpoint best illustrates a
A) longitudinal study.
B) developmental stage theory.
C) cross-sectional study.
D) biopsychosocial approach.

Accepted Answer

The professor's viewpoint emphasizes the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors which is the central idea of the biopsychosocial approach. This approach recognizes that the aging process is influenced by many different factors and takes a holistic view of individuals and their experiences.

Question 7

Compared with younger adults,older adults are ________ attentive to positive news and they have ________ problems in their social relationships.
A) more;more
B) less;fewer
C) more;fewer
D) less;more

Accepted Answer

Older adults tend to focus more on positive news, a phenomenon known as the "positivity effect," and generally report fewer problems in their social relationships compared to younger adults. This is attributed to their life experience and possibly a greater emphasis on emotional well-being.

Question 8

As adults advance in age,their positive moods become
A) less extreme and more enduring.
B) more extreme and less enduring.
C) less extreme and less enduring.
D) more extreme and more enduring.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that as adults age, their positive moods become less extreme and more enduring, meaning that they experience fewer highs and lows but enjoy a more consistent level of happiness.

Question 9

The grief experienced over the death of a loved one is especially severe when death is experienced
A) as a time that requires sharing honest emotions with others.
B) after years of anticipating the death of one's loved one.
C) as a time for celebrating the life and memory of the deceased person.
D) as coming before its expected time on the social clock.

Accepted Answer

When death comes before its expected time on the social clock, such as when a child passes away before their parents, it can be particularly difficult to cope with and lead to more severe grief. The other options may also be valid factors, but none are mentioned as being especially severe.

Question 10

Compared with their counterparts of 30 years ago,people in Western countries today are better educated and ________.These trends may help explain why the American divorce rate has ________ since 1980.
A) marrying later;slightly declined
B) marrying earlier;increased
C) marrying later;increased
D) marrying earlier;slightly declined

Accepted Answer

People in Western countries today are marrying later and the American divorce rate has slightly declined since 1980. This could be due to the fact that people are better educated and may have more stable careers and financial situations before deciding to marry.

Question 11

The term social clock refers to
A) the culturally preferred time to leave home,marry,have children,and retire.
B) an optimal time for developing social bonds between children and caregivers.
C) the average age of people in different social groups and organizations.
D) the different ways in which societies evaluate the physical and cognitive changes accompanying the aging process.

Accepted Answer

The term social clock refers to the culturally preferred time to leave home, marry, have children, and retire. It is a societal expectation and norm that influences individual choices and decision-making regarding major life events.

Question 12

In Erikson's theory,the sense of integrity achieved in late adulthood refers to the feeling that
A) one's life has been meaningful.
B) one is healthy and not dependent upon others.
C) one is acting ethically.
D) one's life is full of close friendships.

Accepted Answer

In Erikson's theory, the sense of integrity achieved in late adulthood refers to the feeling that one's life has been meaningful. This involves looking back on one's life with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, feeling that one has made a positive contribution to the world and that one's life has had purpose and significance. It is not necessarily dependent upon being healthy, acting ethically, or having close friendships, although these may certainly contribute to one's sense of integrity.

Question 13

Compared with noncohabiting couples,which of the following is true of couples who live together before engagement and marriage?
A) They are initially more committed to the ideal of an enduring marriage,and they tend to become increasingly more marriage-supportive while cohabiting.
B) They are initially less committed to the ideal of an enduring marriage,and they tend to become increasingly more marriage-supportive while cohabiting.
C) They are initially more committed to the ideal of an enduring marriage,and they tend to become increasingly less marriage-supportive while cohabiting.
D) They are initially less committed to the ideal of an enduring marriage,and they tend to become increasingly less marriage-supportive while cohabiting.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that couples who cohabit before engagement or marriage tend to start with lower levels of commitment to the idea of marriage and, over time, may become even less supportive of marriage. This phenomenon is often associated with what is known as the "cohabitation effect," where premarital cohabitation is linked to higher rates of divorce and lower marital satisfaction.

Question 14

George is 95,has pneumonia,and expects to die within a few months.Which of the following best describes how he feels?
A) He is likely to be more positive.
B) He is likely to be angry.
C) He is likely to be in denial.
D) He is likely to be extremely sad.

Accepted Answer

Older adults, like George, who are near the end of life and have had time to reflect on their mortality, often exhibit a more positive emotional outlook due to a lifetime of coping skills and perspective.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a predictor of happiness with work?
A) having a career that matches your interests
B) having a career that has flexible working hours
C) having a career that gives you a sense of competence
D) having a career that gives you a sense of accomplishment

Accepted Answer

While having flexible working hours can certainly make work more enjoyable, it is not necessarily a predictor of overall happiness with work. The other options are all related to feeling fulfilled and satisfied in one's career, which are stronger predictors of happiness.

Question 16

Kathryn and Rafael's third and last child is leaving home for college next year.Their empty nest is likely to be a(n)________ place.
A) depressed
B) happy
C) anxious
D) boring

Accepted Answer

The phrase "empty nest" typically refers to when children have left home and parents now have an empty house. While some parents may feel sad or anxious about their children leaving, the word "likely" in the sentence suggests that the most probable outcome is that Kathryn and Rafael will feel happy about this transition, as it opens up new possibilities for their lives. Thus, the best choice is option B) happy.

Question 17

Which of the following is a current trend in how romantic couples are meeting?
A) They are meeting more often at work.
B) They are meeting more often at college.
C) They are meeting more often online.
D) They are meeting more often at nightclubs.

Accepted Answer

According to recent studies, online dating has become the most popular way for romantic couples to meet.

Question 18

Compared with the amygdala in younger adults,the amygdala in older adults shows
A) diminishing activity in response to positive events.
B) enhanced activity in response to negative events.
C) diminishing activity in response to negative events.
D) enhanced activity in response to positive events.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that the amygdala in older adults tends to show diminished activity in response to negative events, which is part of the broader pattern of emotional regulation and processing changes with age. This suggests a shift towards a positivity bias in older age.

Question 19

Garland and Patty have been married for 25 years.One reason for their marital success is that they
A) lived together for a time before they became engaged and marry.
B) focused their time and energy on their growing children's needs.
C) engaged in less frequent sexual interactions.
D) engaged in more laughing,complimenting,and touching than sarcasm,criticism,and insults.

Accepted Answer

Engaging in more positive interactions, such as laughing, complimenting, and touching, rather than negative interactions, such as sarcasm, criticism, and insults, is a key factor in maintaining a successful marriage. Option A may also contribute to a better understanding and compatibility between the partners, but it is not directly related to their marital success. Option B may detract from the couple's relationship if their focus on their children's needs causes neglect of their own relationship. Option C suggests a lack of sexual intimacy, which can be a source of dissatisfaction and strain in a marital relationship.

Quiz 4: Developing Through the Life Span

Research on people's feelings of satisfaction with their lives indicates that

Emotional instability has been found to be

Erik Erikson maintained that the two basic aspects of life that dominate adulthood are

In explaining pair-bonding among humans,it has been suggested that parents who cooperated to nurture their children to maturity were more likely to have their genes passed on to future generations.This best illustrates a(n) ________ perspective.

Dr.Anders is a 44-year-old physician who experiences a sense of personal fulfillment in contributing to the well-being of others through her medical practice.Erik Erikson would have suggested that Dr.Anders experiences

Professor Appledorn emphasizes that whether people flourish in late adulthood depends on a continuous interaction among their inborn temperaments,their personal relationships,and their mental expectations regarding the aging process.The professor's viewpoint best illustrates a

Compared with younger adults,older adults are attentive to positive news and they have problems in their social relationships.

As adults advance in age,their positive moods become

The grief experienced over the death of a loved one is especially severe when death is experienced

Compared with their counterparts of 30 years ago,people in Western countries today are better educated and .These trends may help explain why the American divorce rate has since 1980.

The term social clock refers to

In Erikson's theory,the sense of integrity achieved in late adulthood refers to the feeling that

Compared with noncohabiting couples,which of the following is true of couples who live together before engagement and marriage?

George is 95,has pneumonia,and expects to die within a few months.Which of the following best describes how he feels?

Which of the following is NOT a predictor of happiness with work?

Kathryn and Rafael's third and last child is leaving home for college next year.Their empty nest is likely to be a(n) ________ place.

Which of the following is a current trend in how romantic couples are meeting?

Compared with the amygdala in younger adults,the amygdala in older adults shows

Garland and Patty have been married for 25 years.One reason for their marital success is that they