Deck 24: Seciton 3: Late Adulthood: Cognitive Development

Question 1

Which of the following is an example of prospective memory?

A) Phyllis remembers that she is meeting friends for lunch tomorrow.
B) Adam remembers that he had lunch with friends yesterday.
C) Robert remembers that he used to bring his lunch to work every day.
D) Christina remembers that she forgot to eat lunch at noon.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The ability to hold information in memory for a moment before evaluating, calculating, and inferring its significance is known as _____.

A) prospective memory
B) working memory
C) source amnesia
D) control processes

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which of the following statements is a possible explanation for greater brain activity in older adults?

A) Older adults compensate for losses by using more parts of their brains.
B) Older adults have increased brain reserves.
C) Older adults use only one hemisphere of the brain.
D) The processing speed of older adults increases.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

The brain reduces an older person's awareness of sensory losses by _____.

A) amplifying the sights and sounds that are collected
B) automatically filling in the missed sights and sounds
C) generating multiple responses based on a variety of possible inputs
D) exerting more effort to detect more details from sensory inputs

Question 5

Edna, age 71, has excellent pronunciation but poor spelling. She frequently forgets the word or phrase she is trying to use, telling others that it is "on the tip of her tongue." These characteristics may be the result of _____.

A) decreased inhibition
B) poor muscular coordination
C) inadequate control processes
D) impaired vision

Question 6

How does high-SES correlate with brain senescence? High-SES people _____.

A) enter late adulthood with less robust and flexible minds
B) are more likely to be exposed to pollution and drugs
C) have better medical care
D) exercise less and have poorer nutrition

Question 7

With age, which of the following occurs in the brain?

A) All growth ceases.
B) Activity level always decreases.
C) Using both hemispheres simultaneously becomes more likely.
D) Plaque and tangles form.

Question 8

Delores, age 75, believes her memory is fading with age, and the anxiety this causes her actually diminishes her memory. This is an example of _____.

A) sensory threshold
B) source amnesia
C) stereotype threat
D) information processing

Question 9

What benefit does neurogenesis provide for an older adult?

A) increased cognitive adaptability
B) resistance to neurodegenerative diseases
C) ability to store more memories
D) greater nomadic skills

Question 10

Which of the following brain changes in later life surprised scientists when it was discovered?

A) neural fluid decreases
B) myelination thins
C) neurons are created
D) the corpus callosum increases

Question 11

Which of the following happens to the brain during senescence?

A) neural fluid increases
B) myelination thickens
C) neurotransmitter production decreases
D) the corpus callosum increases

Question 12

Which parts of the brain shrink the most in later life?

A) hippocampus and prefrontal cortex
B) hippocampus and corpus callosum
C) prefrontal cortex and thalamus
D) prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT correlated with deterioration of cognition?

A) slower movement
B) physical disability
C) gait speed
D) level of education

Question 14

Which of the following is most affected by brain shrinkage?

A) reading the newspaper
B) selecting an outfit
C) remembering bus routes
D) multitasking

Question 15

Otto, age 81, just relayed a news story to his friends over coffee, but cannot remember where he heard or read about the tale. Otto has _____.

A) sensory threshold
B) source amnesia
C) stereotype threat
D) information processing

Question 16

White matter lesions start to appear on MRIs after age 50 or so. Which of the following is NOT true about these lesions?

A) They may result from tiny impairments in blood flow.
B) They increase the time it takes to think.
C) They may disrupt transmission from parts of the cortex and cerebellum.
D) They encourage the processing of novel stimuli.

Question 17

Overall brain slowdown is evident in which of the following ways?

A) faster reaction time
B) slower reaction time
C) faster thinking
D) faster talking

Question 18

The elderly use _____ more often for processing information than do younger adults.

A) prior knowledge
B) new knowledge
C) analysis
D) others' expertise

Question 19

A marked decrease in brain processing and memory in some older adults may be attributed to _____.

A) the use of both hemispheres of the brain
B) inadequate control processes
C) increased production of neurotransmitters
D) more neural fluid that slows cerebral blood flow

Question 20

As an individual ages, small sensory losses such as a decreased ability to hear nuances of emotion in speech _____.

A) impair cognition
B) are noticed immediately by the person experiencing them
C) are unusual and usually a sign of a serious problem
D) are sufficiently filled in by the brain

Question 21

For the average individual in late adulthood, traditional tests of intelligence demonstrate that _____.

A) cognitive abilities remain stable
B) cognitive abilities continue to increase
C) cognitive abilities decline
D) some cognitive abilities increase and others decline

Question 22

Ralph was in a minor car accident in the grocery store parking lot. He backed his car into another car that was also backing out of a parking space. The other driver honked but Ralph didn't stop. Why not?

A) Ralph technically had the right-of-way.
B) The honking did not cross his sensory threshold.
C) Ralph became confused by driving backwards, confusing the gas pedal with the brake.
D) His sensory memory perceived the honk but thought it was directed at someone else.

Question 23

People who are diagnosed with mild neurological disorder will _____.

A) always return to their previous cognitive functioning over time
B) always display progressively worse cognitive functioning over time
C) have significant problems with memory, but function well at work and home
D) usually develop major cognitive losses

Question 24

Control processes depend on which part of the brain?

A) amygdala
B) cerebellum
C) prefrontal cortex
D) hypothalamus

Question 25

Dementia is _____.

A) benign forgetfulness
B) a problem that affects most of the elderly
C) a problem that affects only the elderly
D) the pathological loss of brain functioning

Question 26

According to the Seattle Longitudinal Study, the cognitive decline of late adulthood was most evident in which of the following primary mental abilities?

A) fluid intelligence
B) verbal meaning
C) processing speed
D) inductive reasoning

Question 27

The divide between what is sensed and what is not is known as the _____.

A) input level
B) sensory threshold
C) source amnesia
D) working memory

Question 28

According to the most recent DSM (DSM-5), the appropriate term for the pathological loss of brain functioning is _____.

A) dementia
B) neurocognitive disorders
C) delirium
D) senility

Question 29

The idea that cognition should be measured in terms of everyday tasks and circumstances is _____.

A) priming
B) recall
C) recognition
D) ecological validity

Question 30

According to the information-processing approach to cognition, which of the following is another term for the "sensing" stage of cognition?

A) input
B) erasing
C) reminding
D) priming

Question 31

Which of the following terms would be ageist?

A) dementia
B) major neurocognitive disorder
C) delirium
D) senility

Question 32

Older adults have _____ vocabularies but _____ fluency.

A) extensive; limited
B) extensive; extensive
C) limited; limited
D) limited; extensive

Question 33

According to the Seattle Longitudinal Study, the five primary mental abilities _____ around age 60.

A) start to decline in only one least-used area
B) decline
C) show no change
D) begin to increase

Question 34

Storage mechanisms, retrieval strategies, selective attention, and problem solving are all considered _____.

A) implicit memories
B) explicit memories
C) control processes
D) unconscious processes

Question 35

Which of the following statements is characteristic of the memory of older adults?

A) The spelling of older adults is better than their speech.
B) Older adults are better at recall than recognition.
C) Older adults are less likely to have tip-of-the-tongue forgetfulness.
D) Older adults benefit from learning memory strategies.

Question 36

Loss of working memory is particularly likely to affect the ability to _____.

A) retain the image of a picture just seen
B) remember public events of the past
C) recognize friends on the street
D) repeat a series of numbers just heard

Question 37

The ability to recall a string of digits backward tends to _____ with age, while memory for vocabulary tends to _____ with age.

A) increase; increase
B) stay the same; decrease
C) decrease; decrease
D) decrease; stay the same

Question 38

The primary reason older people receive less input into their brains is that _____.

A) they are less interested in new things
B) their senses decline, reducing the sensory input
C) their threshold increases, reducing sensory input
D) they are not able to store information effectively

Question 39

Control processes depend on the _____, which shrinks with age.

A) amygdala
B) cerebellum
C) prefrontal cortex
D) hypothalamus

Question 40

One function of working memory is _____.

A) temporary storage of information for conscious use
B) long-term storage of unconscious information
C) storage of visual and auditory afterimages
D) prevention of memory loss

Question 41

Which of the following behaviors is a characteristic of frontal lobe dementias?

A) more careful planning
B) deterioration of social behavior
C) pronounced emotional involvement
D) memory loss

Question 42

The major cause of Parkinson's disease is _____.

A) loss of dopamine-producing neurons
B) overabundance of dopamine-producing neurons
C) loss of serotonin-producing neurons
D) overabundance of serotonin-producing neurons

Question 43

When Alzheimer disease sets in early and impacts those under age 60, the final phase of the disease typically occurs around _____ years after the first signs of the disease appear.

A) 1 to 2
B) 3 to 5
C) 6 to 9
D) 10 to 15

Question 44

Which of the following is NOT a reason why women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with neurological disorders?

A) genes
B) stress
C) education achieved
D) exposure to toxins

Question 45

Joan suffered a ministroke, but the symptoms disappeared shortly thereafter and the event went unnoticed by friends and family. What is likely to happen next?

A) She will continue with a full, active life because ministrokes are isolated events that do not often happen again.
B) She will develop Parkinson disease.
C) She will need physical therapy to prevent future problems.
D) She will most likely have other strokes; the first one was a warning.

Question 46

Autopsies show that the brains of Alzheimer victims _____.

A) have a proliferation of plaques and tangles
B) exhibit damage from strokes
C) have shrunk to half of normal size
D) appear to be normal

Question 47

Vera was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease while in middle age. Her doctor told her family that compared to the kind of Alzheimer disease that develops in old age, this version _____.

A) is much more benign
B) progresses more rapidly
C) progresses more slowly
D) has many more symptoms

Question 48

The most common form of frontal lobe dementia is _____.

A) Alzheimer disease
B) vascular dementia
C) Lewy body dementia
D) Pick disease

Question 49

The estimated number of U.S. residents living with a serious neurocognitive disorder is at around _____ million.

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4

Question 50

Researchers believe that Alzheimer disease is _____ genetic.

A) not
B) completely
C) partly
D) rarely

Question 51

Eli underwent major surgery that required general anesthesia. Which neurocognitive complication, while rare, is possible as a result?

A) ministroke
B) Alzheimer disease
C) dementia
D) mild neurocognitive disorder

Question 52

Len developed Alzheimer disease well before the age of 60; early Alzheimer disease is associated with a condition that Len was born with called _____.

A) Pick disease
B) trisomy-21
C) cerebral palsy
D) Huntington disease

Question 53

Brains of Alzheimer victims display plaques, which are _____, and tangles, which are _____.

A) a protein called tau; a protein called beta-amyloid
B) a protein called beta-amyloid; a protein called tau
C) presenilin 1; presenilin 2
D) amyloid precursor protein; presenilin

Question 54

Mr. Avery was a hard-driving investment banker before his retirement. His workaholic lifestyle alienated his children, who chose to spend little time with him once they grew up. One day, Mr. Avery called his daughter, Melissa, to invite her over to see his paintings. When she arrived, she found her father dressed in an old sweat suit and standing in front of several abstract paintings in bright, vibrant colors. Mr. Avery smiled widely and held his daughter's hand as he showed off his work. She was perplexed-something was wrong, but she loved her father's "new" personality. Which neurocognitive disorder could account for his symptoms?

A) Alzheimer disease
B) Pick disease
C) Parkinson's disease
D) mad cow disease

Question 55

Which neurocognitive disorder is most likely to occur prior to age 70?

A) Alzheimer disease
B) vascular dementia
C) frontal lobe dementia
D) Lewy body dementia

Question 56

Vascular dementia is caused by _____.

A) Alzheimer disease
B) inadequate nutrition
C) insufficient supply of blood to the brain
D) environmental toxins

Question 57

Parkinson's disease produces dementia as well as _____.

A) flabbiness in the muscles
B) rigidity in the muscles
C) many little strokes
D) high blood pressure

Question 58

Developing nations report lower rates of dementia. Which of the following is NOT a likely explanation for this?

A) poorer health care, so dementia is not diagnosed
B) people in early stages are not identified and counted in all countries
C) higher levels of physical exercise preserve mental functioning
D) a shorter overall lifespan

Question 59

The main symptom of frontal lobe dementias is _____.

A) personality change
B) memory loss
C) seizures
D) tremor.

Question 60

Tests for assessing neurocognitive disorders are _____.

A) precise and accurate
B) designed with well-established cut-offs that everyone accepts
C) indicators of possible problems
D) redundant, as each individual test is sufficient for determining symptoms

Question 61

The fact that many older people begin to demonstrate an interest in painting, music, or woodworking supports the idea that older people _____.

A) are generally very bored
B) develop an appreciation for the aesthetic
C) still have a drive for power and prestige
D) become less interested in being with people

Question 62

Which of the following is NOT a reason why prescription drugs may produce larger side effects in the elderly?

A) Recommended doses are based on younger adults.
B) Clinical trials exclude people with multiple diseases.
C) The elderly are less likely to miss a dose.
D) Metabolism is slower in the elderly.

Question 63

A study of extraordinarily creative people found that in their 70s, 80s, and 90s, they _____.

A) tended to lose their creativity
B) became more competitive and focused on their status in their chosen field
C) remained as focused, efficient, and committed as they had been earlier
D) thought age impaired the quality of their work

Question 64

Some dementias, including _____, begin with impaired motor control.

A) Alzheimer disease
B) vascular dementia
C) Parkinson's disease
D) Pick disease

Question 65

Which of the following does NOT characterize self-actualization?

A) spiritual understanding
B) the longing for a secure and stable home
C) an appreciation for or engagement in artistic pursuits
D) philosophical reflection

Question 66

Nelma is a healthy 70-year-old who would like to learn to play video games with her grandson. According to research on learning late in life, which of the following is most likely TRUE?

A) Nelma is past the age where learning to play video games is possible.
B) Nelma should spend her time doing crossword puzzles instead, as they help prevent dementia.
C) Nelma could learn to play games if she starts at the easiest level and practices regularly.
D) Nelma could learn to play games in the short term, but would soon forget how and need to be retaught.

Question 67

The most common reversible condition that is mistaken for neurological disorder is _____.

A) depression
B) arteriosclerosis
C) diabetes
D) high blood pressure

Question 68

Erikson called elders _____, as they are both aware of changes between generations and have a broad view of the human experience.

A) the elderly
B) self-actualized
C) social witnesses
D) cognitively superior

Question 69

After seeing a specialist, Jack started taking a medicine for his heart that led to digestive problems. He saw a different doctor for that issue and was prescribed another drug, which led to headaches. Yet another doctor prescribed another drug for his headaches. Jack has just experienced _____.

A) a ministroke
B) reversible dementia
C) a prescribing cascade
D) clinical practice guidelines

Question 70

Which of the following is the most important non-genetic factor in preventing the onset of cognitive impairment?

A) good nutrition
B) physical exercise
C) mental exercise
D) healthy diet

Question 71

Since Russell's wife died, he has been eating the exact same thing-and a very small amount of it-for breakfast and lunch every day. Most nights, he skips dinner. Sometimes he seems confused when his granddaughter calls to check in on him. Based solely on this information, which diagnosis is most likely?

A) Malnutrition is causing symptoms that mimic dementia.
B) He must have had a ministroke.
C) He is likely in the early stages of Alzheimer disease.
D) Lewy body dementia is the most likely cause of his symptoms.

Question 72

_____ can disrupt the flow of oxygen to the brain, thereby worsening the symptoms of dementia.

A) Diabetes
B) Pregnancy
C) Exercise
D) Lipids

Question 73

Abraham Maslow maintains that older adults are _____.

A) more likely than younger people to reach self-actualization
B) less likely than younger people to reach self-actualization
C) just as likely as younger people to reach self-actualization
D) too emotionally impaired to reach self-actualization

Question 74

The fact that many elderly people take many different medications means that _____.

A) they are less likely to have adverse reactions
B) their dosages should be increased
C) the drugs can interact and produce adverse reactions
D) they are especially aware of possible drug overdose

Question 75

A main symptom in Lewy body dementia is loss of _____.

A) inhibition
B) memory
C) speech
D) small motor control

Question 76

_____ is a common condition because many elderly people take many different prescription drugs.

A) Polypharmacy
B) Undernourishment
C) Reversible dementia
D) Pick's disease

Question 77

Verna has dementia. Her motor control and memory have been impacted, though their impairment is not the most significant symptom of her condition. The most significant symptom is her loss of inhibition, evident in her chronic gambling. Verna most likely has _____.

A) Lewy body dementia
B) vascular dementia
C) Parkinson's disease
D) Pick disease

Question 78

One infectious disease that can produce dementia is _____.

A) tuberculosis
B) AIDS
C) sickle-cell anemia
D) pneumonia

Question 79

All of the following are true about learning late in life EXCEPT _____.

A) learning new knowledge is possible, but gaining new skills is not
B) people younger than 80 can learn almost anything if the training is targeted to their ability and motivation
C) regular practice is key to learning anything new
D) developmentalists do not discourage older adults from trying to learn new things

Question 80

Recently, Betty has difficulty lifting her feet to climb steps. Sometimes her hands tremble when she's drinking her afternoon cup of tea. Which neurocognitive disorder is she likely suffering from?

A) Alzheimer disease
B) vascular dementia
C) Parkinson's disease
D) Pick disease