Question 1

According to Erikson, __________ occurs when aging adults feel they have made many wrong decisions, yet time is too short to find an alternate route to integrity.

Accepted Answer

The concept of despair is a characteristic of the eighth and final stage of psychosocial development according to Erikson, which applies to late adulthood. Aging adults feel that they have made many wrong decisions, yet time is too short to find an alternate route to integrity. This leads to feelings of despair and hopelessness.

Question 2

Research suggests that as people grow older, __________.

Accepted Answer

As people age, they often experience increases in both body transcendence (overcoming physical limitations) and ego transcendence (finding fulfillment beyond oneself), reflecting a positive adaptation to aging.

Question 3

Contemporary older people in industrialized nations are largely __________.

Accepted Answer

Contemporary older people in industrialized nations are largely present- and future-oriented, with many focusing on personal growth, pursuing new hobbies or education, and making plans for their future. While they may not be completely free from concerns about mortality, this nearness of death is not their primary focus. Additionally, research shows that older people are generally more positive and emotionally stable than younger adults, countering the idea that they are biased toward negative emotions. While some may reminisce about the past, this is not the dominant focus of contemporary older people in industrialized nations.

Question 4

Marlon, an extraverted 75-year-old, reminisces about his wife, who passed away when Marlon was 56. He enjoys reliving his relationship with his wife. Marlon engages in __________ reminiscence.

Accepted Answer

Marlon is reminiscing about his wife, which suggests that his reminiscence is other-focused, centered on someone other than himself.

Question 5

While 80-year-old Naomi's contemporaries have died, she faces the reality of death constructively through efforts to make life more secure, meaningful, and gratifying for younger generations. According to Peck, Naomi has attained __________.

Accepted Answer

According to Peck's theory of psychological development in late adulthood, ego transcendence is the task of accepting one's own mortality and finding meaning and satisfaction in life by having a positive impact on future generations. Naomi's efforts to make life more secure, meaningful, and gratifying for younger generations reflect this concept of ego transcendence. Body transcendence (B) and body differentiation (D) are not directly related to Peck's theory of development, and ego differentiation (C) refers to the ability to distinguish oneself as an individual and is more relevant to earlier stages of development.

Question 6

__________ reminiscence is linked to adjustment problems.

Accepted Answer

Self-focused reminiscence is linked to adjustment problems because it involves a preoccupation with one's own personal past, often with a negative emotional tone, which can lead to issues like depression or anxiety.

Question 7

Tessa tells stories about people and events from her past and shares associated thoughts and feelings. Tessa engages in __________.

Accepted Answer

Tessa is engaging in reminiscence, which is the act of recalling past experiences, events, and people.

Question 8

When they cannot avoid negative experiences, older adults are especially effective at __________.

Accepted Answer

Older adults are particularly adept at emotion-centered coping, which involves managing the emotional response to a problem when the situation cannot be changed, rather than attempting to change the situation itself. This strategy is often more effective for dealing with situations that are beyond one's control.

Question 9

As he approached his ninetieth year, Franco spent more time in quiet reflection. He had a heightened inner calm and contentment. According to Joan Erikson, Franco had reached __________.

Accepted Answer

Franco's inner calm and contentment are reflective of the developmental stage of gerotranscendence, which is characterized by a "redefining of the self and of relationships to others and the wider cosmos." The Third Age refers to the period of life after retirement, affect optimization is the process of maximizing emotional well-being, and body differentiation refers to the process of developing a unique sense of bodily identity. None of these concepts are directly applicable to Franco's situation as described.

Question 10

Neil, age 73, has learned to focus on his psychological strengths. He overcomes his physical limitations by emphasizing the compensating rewards of cognitive, emotional, and social powers. According to Peck, Neil has attained __________.

Accepted Answer

Peck's theory of psychological development in later life includes the concept of body transcendence, which refers to the ability of individuals to focus on psychological strengths as a way to compensate for the physical limitations that come with aging. Neil's ability to overcome his physical limitations by emphasizing cognitive, emotional, and social strengths is an example of body transcendence.

Question 11

Which statement is true about reminiscence?

Accepted Answer

Research has found no age differences in total quantity of reminiscing, meaning that both younger and older adults engage in similar amounts of reminiscence. Option A is incorrect as the life review form of reminiscence has been found to be adaptive for many older adults, allowing them to find meaning and closure in life events. Option C is incorrect as counselor-led life review has been found to improve psychological well-being in older adults. Option D is also incorrect as the life review form of reminiscence occurs more often among older adults.

Question 12

According to Robert Peck, __________ involves affirming self-worth through family, friendships, or community life for those who invested heavily in their careers.

Accepted Answer

Ego differentiation involves affirming self-worth through means other than work, such as family, friendships, or community life, especially for those who have heavily invested in their careers. This concept is part of Robert Peck's theory on the psychological development in later life.

Question 13

Erikson's widow, Joan Erikson, suggested an additional stage of psychosocial development called __________.

Accepted Answer

Erikson's widow, Joan Erikson, proposed the ninth and final stage of psychosocial development called gerotranscendence, which refers to an individual's understanding and acceptance of the aging process and their impending mortality. The other options (disengagement, body differentiation, and reminiscence) do not represent additional stages proposed by Joan Erikson.

Question 14

Mr. Suko is 80 years old. He is argumentative, bitter, and regretful. He has a tendency to blame others for his personal failures. According to Erikson, Mr. Suko's behavior disguises __________.

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, the final stage is integrity vs. despair. This stage is characterized by reflecting back on one's life and feeling a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment (integrity) or feeling like one has not lived up to their potential and experiencing regrets and despair. Mr. Suko's behavior suggests that he is experiencing self-contempt and regret, which are common in the despair aspect of this stage.

Question 15

In a study that followed a sample of women diverse in SES throughout adulthood, __________ predicted ego integrity in late adulthood.

Accepted Answer

Midlife generativity, or a sense of contributing to society and leaving a positive impact, has been found to predict ego integrity in late adulthood. College graduation may be a factor in early adulthood but is not specifically linked to ego integrity in late adulthood. Early retirement may have both positive and negative effects on ego integrity, depending on individual circumstances. Adolescent identity foreclosure, or committing to an identity without exploring other options, is not a predictor of ego integrity in late adulthood.

Question 16

For young and old alike, reminiscence __________.

Accepted Answer

Reminiscence often occurs during times of life transition, such as retirement or loss of a loved one, as a way to process and make meaning of one's life experiences. It can be a positive and adaptive process for both young and old individuals. Option A is incorrect because reminiscence does not necessarily have to be overly reflective or negative. Option B is incorrect because reminiscence can also reinforce positive memories and self-concepts, not just negative stereotypes. Option D is incorrect because reminiscence has been found to have positive effects on mood and well-being in many studies.

Question 17

According to Erikson, the final psychological conflict, __________, involves coming to terms with one's life.

Accepted Answer

Ego integrity versus despair is the final psychological conflict according to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. It occurs during late adulthood when individuals reflect on their lives and come to terms with their successes and failures. The resolution of this conflict leads to a sense of fulfillment and acceptance of one's life, while failure to resolve it can lead to feelings of despair and hopelessness. The other options (A, B, D) are conflicts that occur during earlier stages of development.

Question 18

Older adults who score high in openness to experience engage, at times, in __________ reminiscence, drawing on their past for effective problem-solving strategies.

Accepted Answer

Older adults who score high in openness to experience draw on their past experiences as part of their knowledge base for effective problem-solving. This indicates knowledge-based reminiscence rather than negative-based or self/other-focused reminiscence.

Question 19

Seventy-year-old Isabel's life goals emphasized money and prestige. She is likely to __________.

Accepted Answer

Isabel's life goals have been focused on external factors such as money and prestige, which may indicate a fear of the end of life and a desire to hold onto material possessions and status.

Question 20

Emme selectively attends to and better recalls emotionally positive over negative information. Emme has the ability to maximize positive emotion and dampen negative emotion. This ability is known as __________.

Accepted Answer

The ability to selectively attend to and better recall emotionally positive over negative information is known as the positivity effect. This is the ability to maximize positive emotion and dampen negative emotion, as seen in Emme's behavior. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Quiz 18: Emotional and Social Development in Late Adulthood