Question 1

Which statement best summarizes the research on the "midlife crisis"?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that while many middle-aged individuals experience some questioning of self during midlife, only a small percentage actually experience a true midlife crisis. Additionally, research has found no significant differences between males and females in their likelihood of experiencing a midlife crisis.

Question 2

Mickelson is about to retire. In preparation, he has begun to take up golf as a way to fill some of the time he would normally have been at work. Mickelson's response best fits with the _____ theory concerning successful aging.

Accepted Answer

The activity theory suggests that continued involvement in activities after retirement is linked to higher levels of life satisfaction and successful aging. Mickelson's decision to take up golf after retirement is consistent with the activity theory.

Question 3

The debate concerning successful aging in old age involves the _____ debate.

Accepted Answer

The activity-disengagement debate centers on whether older adults should remain active and engaged in society to achieve successful aging or whether it is appropriate for them to disengage and become less involved. The other options are not relevant to this particular debate.

Question 4

Research on successful aging has found

Accepted Answer

Research on successful aging generally supports activity theory, which suggests that staying active and engaged leads to better outcomes in aging, rather than disengagement theory, which posits that withdrawing from social roles is beneficial.

Question 5

Sixty-year-old Irene has been a secretary for 30 years. Despite her advancing age, her typing skills remain excellent. This is in most part due to the fact that Irene continues to practice her typing every day. The Baltes' would suggest that the process of _____ is most responsible for Irene's continued high level of performance.

Accepted Answer

Baltes' theory of selective optimization with compensation suggests that individuals can maintain or improve their performance in a specific domain by selectively choosing activities that optimize their performance and compensating for any declines in other areas. Irene's continued practice of typing every day demonstrates her use of selective optimization, and her excellent typing skills despite her age support the theory that optimization can lead to continued success in a specific domain.

Question 6

Yumi has just entered the phase of retirement best described as "realistic and satisfying." This would indicate that she is in the _____ phase of retirement.

Accepted Answer

The reorientation phase of retirement is marked by a shift from initial detachment and uncertainty to a more optimistic and realistic outlook. Yumi's experience of retirement being realistic and satisfying aligns with this phase. The honeymoon phase is marked by excitement and novelty, the midlife phase by a sense of loss or questioning, and the disenchantment phase by disappointment or disengagement.

Question 7

Erikson would argue that 80-year-old Mable is most likely confronting the psychosocial issue of

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, the final stage of development in late adulthood involves the resolution of the conflict between integrity (acceptance of one's life as meaningful and complete) and despair (feelings of regret and disappointment). Therefore, Mable is likely confronting the issue of integrity versus despair at 80 years old.

Question 8

As she nears her 100th birthday, Kijana, though remaining happy, has begun to become much less involved with her church and other social groups. Ruth's reaction to aging best fits with the _____ theory concerning successful aging.

Accepted Answer

The disengagement theory suggests that as people age, they gradually withdraw from social engagements and relationships, which aligns with Kijana's reduced involvement in social groups.

Question 9

Which event is best associated with Erikson's integrity versus despair stage of development?

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson, the integrity versus despair stage occurs in late adulthood when individuals engage in a life review to assess their accomplishments and failures. Therefore, the best event associated with this stage is a life review (option D).

Question 10

The phrase, "If only I had my life to live over again I would…" is best associated with Erikson's _____ psychosocial stage of development.

Accepted Answer

The phrase "If only I had my life to live over again I would..." reflects an individual in the later stages of life looking back on their life and assessing the meaning and satisfaction of their life. This is consistent with Erikson's final psychosocial stage of development, integrity versus despair, which occurs in late adulthood and involves reflecting on one's life and accepting or despairing over the outcome. The other options are associated with earlier stages of development.

Question 11

Research on women's vocation development has found that

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that giving birth can negatively impact a woman's earning potential due to factors such as time off for maternity leave and reduced work hours after returning to the workforce.

Question 12

Which factor is associated with a NEGATIVE retirement experience?

Accepted Answer

Involuntary retirement is often associated with negative feelings such as loss of identity and purpose, financial stress, and difficulty adjusting to a new routine. Good physical health, being married, and having strong financial resources are all factors associated with a positive retirement experience.

Question 13

For Britta, the novelty of retirement has begun to wear off and she suddenly finds herself feeling quite unhappy. This indicates that Britta has entered the _____ phase of retirement.

Accepted Answer

The disenchantment phase of retirement is characterized by feelings of disappointment, unhappiness, and a sense of loss. It typically occurs after the initial honeymoon phase of retirement, when the individual is adjusting to the new lifestyle and has not yet experienced significant changes or challenges. Britta's sudden change in mood suggests that she may be transitioning from the honeymoon phase to the disenchantment phase of retirement. The reorientation and midlife phases occur later in retirement and involve more active exploration and adaptation to new roles and activities.

Question 14

What is the best advice concerning successful aging?

Accepted Answer

Older adults should be encouraged to find a good fit between their personality, preferences, and the environment in which they live.

Question 15

About one year after she retired, Betty Joe suddenly became very unhappy and expressed the opinion that she now had nothing to do in her life. Atchley would argue that Betty Joe appears have entered the _____ phase of retirement.

Accepted Answer

The disenchantment phase of retirement is characterized by feelings of disappointment and unhappiness as retirees adjust to the reality of their new lifestyle, which seems to fit Betty Joe's situation.

Question 16

Sal has decided that his wife and he should sit down and begin talking about how their financial status when they retire in a few years. This indicates that Sal is in the _____ phase of retirement.

Accepted Answer

Sal is in the preretirement phase, which involves planning and preparing for retirement, including discussions about financial status.

Question 17

The idea of remaining effective by developing ways to get around the need for other skills than the ones you already possess best fits with the _____ component of the selective optimization with compensation theory.

Accepted Answer

The compensation component of the selective optimization with compensation theory focuses on individuals developing ways to get around areas where they may not have skills or abilities, in order to remain effective. This best fits with the idea of developing ways to get around the need for other skills, as stated in the question. The selective component refers to selectively choosing which skills to focus on, and the optimization component refers to maximizing the skills and abilities that are already present. The integrity component is not relevant to this question, as it refers to maintaining personal standards and values.

Question 18

When 50-year-old Mustafa says, "I need to decide which work goals are more important and then develop skills to meet these goals," he is speaking about the process of

Accepted Answer

Mustafa is speaking about the process of selection, which involves choosing certain work goals as more important than others and developing skills to meet those goals. Optimization refers to maximizing resources or opportunities, compensation refers to payment or benefits for work, and generativity refers to the desire to leave a lasting impact on future generations. None of these concepts accurately describe Mustafa's statement.

Question 19

According to Atchley's model, a month or so after retirement, most workers are in the _____ phase.

Accepted Answer

Atchley's model suggests that after retirement, individuals often experience a "honeymoon" phase where they enjoy their newfound freedom and engage in activities they couldn't do while working.

Question 20

Which statement concerning career issues is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Gender-role expectations can have a significant impact on one's career, especially in fields that are traditionally associated with one gender.

Quiz 11: Self and Personality