Question 1

The best predictor of a couple's marital satisfaction is the

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that the ratio of positive to negative interactions between couples is the strongest predictor of their marital satisfaction. Couples who have a higher ratio of positive interactions, such as expressing appreciation and warmth towards each other, are more likely to have a satisfying and long-lasting marriage. The frequency of sexual intimacy and intensity of passionate feelings are less reliable predictors and can vary depending on individual preferences and circumstances. Prior marriage experience can also affect marital satisfaction, but it is not as strong of a predictor as the couple's current interactions with each other.

Question 2

During the time following the death of a loved one

Accepted Answer

Research shows that there is no one "right" way to grieve and that individuals who express their grief strongly immediately after the loss do not necessarily purge their grief more quickly. Grief is a highly individualized process and can take different forms and durations for each individual.

Question 3

The terminal decline phenomenon involves a decrease in mental ability that accompanies the approach of

Accepted Answer

Terminal decline is a phenomenon related to cognitive decline in the years leading up to death. It is believed that cognitive abilities begin to decline rapidly, sometimes several years before the actual onset of death.

Question 4

The age at which people are expected to leave home, get a job, and marry has changed dramatically in Wallonia over the past 50 years. Developmentalists would say that the country's ________ has been altered.

Accepted Answer

The social clock refers to the culturally preferred timing of certain life events, such as leaving home, getting a job, and getting married. The fact that these expectations have changed in Wallonia over the past 50 years suggests that the social clock has been altered. Pruning process, maturation cycle, and critical period are not relevant concepts in this context.

Question 5

Older adults who feel satisfied when reflecting on their lives demonstrate what Erikson called a sense of

Accepted Answer

Erikson's theory of psychosocial development proposes that during the final stage of life, individuals either develop a sense of integrity, which involves feeling satisfied with the way their life has unfolded and accepting both the good and bad experiences, or they develop a sense of despair, which involves feelings of regret and a sense that their life has been wasted. Therefore, the correct answer is (C) integrity.

Question 6

When children grow up and leave home, parents most frequently report feeling

Accepted Answer

According to research, parents most frequently report feeling happy when their children grow up and leave home. This is known as the "empty nest syndrome," which is a term for the feeling of sadness or loss that parents may experience when their children leave home. However, studies have shown that most parents actually report feeling happy and satisfied with their lives after their children leave home.

Question 7

An integrated understanding of successful aging in terms of appropriate nutrition, family support, and an optimistic outlook is most clearly provided by

Accepted Answer

A biopsychosocial approach takes into account the physical, psychological, and social factors that contribute to successful aging. It recognizes that nutrition is a key factor in physical health, that family support can promote social well-being, and that an optimistic outlook can have a positive impact on psychological functioning. Cross-sectional studies may provide some insights into these factors, but they cannot fully capture the complexity of successful aging. Intuitionist perspectives and Piaget's cognitive development theory are not directly relevant to understanding successful aging in terms of nutrition, family support, and an optimistic outlook.

Question 8

Compared with their counterparts of 40 years ago, American men today are marrying

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compared with their counterparts of 40 years...

Question 9

People have been most likely to describe themselves as a "sandwich generation" during their

Accepted Answer

The term "sandwich generation" refers to people who are in the middle of taking care of their own children as well as their aging parents. This typically occurs during middle adulthood, when individuals are balancing their own career and family responsibilities with the needs of their aging parents.

Question 10

Among employed women, the task of raising children is especially likely to be associated with ________ marital satisfaction. The departure of mature children from the home is typically associated with ________ marital satisfaction.

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that the task of raising children is associated with lower marital satisfaction among employed women. On the other hand, the departure of mature children from the home is typically associated with an increase in marital satisfaction, as it allows couples to focus on their own relationship and spend more time together without the demands of parenting. Therefore, the best choice is B, decreasing marital satisfaction associated with raising children and increasing marital satisfaction associated with the departure of mature children from the home.

Question 11

Researchers have discovered that the midlife transition between early and middle adulthood is characterized by unusually high levels of

Accepted Answer

The answer of Researchers have discovered that the midlife transition...

Question 12

Marie feels socially useful in her career as a financial investment advisor. Erik Erikson would have suggested that Marie experiences a sense of

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, generativity is the stage that typically occurs during middle adulthood where individuals desire to contribute positively to society through career, family, or other means. Marie feeling socially useful in her career as a financial investment advisor suggests a sense of generativity.

Question 13

According to Erikson, adolescence is to identity as late adulthood is to

Accepted Answer

According to Erikson's theory, the psychosocial crisis for late adulthood is integrity versus despair. This stage involves reflecting on one's life and accomplishments, accepting the limitations and losses of aging, and achieving a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction with one's life choices. Autonomy is the crisis of early childhood, generativity is the crisis of middle adulthood, and intimacy is the crisis of early adulthood.

Question 14

Professor Parker suggested that heterosexual adults are genetically predisposed to form monogamous bonds because this practice facilitated the cooperative nurture and survival of children. The professor's suggestion best illustrates a(n) ________ perspective.

Accepted Answer

The suggestion that humans have a genetic predisposition for monogamous bonding because it facilitates child survival reflects an evolutionary perspective.

Question 15

The same people are retested over a long period in a ________ study.

Accepted Answer

A longitudinal study involves testing the same people over a long period of time, often years or even decades, in order to observe changes and development over time. This is in contrast to a cross-sectional study, which involves testing different groups of people at one point in time, or a concrete operational study, which focuses on cognitive development in early childhood. A postconventional study would be related to Kohlberg's theory of moral development, which is not relevant to the question.

Question 16

Erik Erikson suggested that the major psychosocial task of middle adulthood was to discover a sense of contributing to the world by being productive. According to Erikson, those who do this effectively demonstrate

Accepted Answer

Erikson's theory posits that a sense of generativity, or the desire to contribute to future generations and improve society, is the major psychosocial task of middle adulthood. Those who are successful in this task often exhibit qualities such as leadership, mentoring, and community involvement.

Question 17

People typically experience an increasing sense of confidence and self-esteem

Accepted Answer

While there may be fluctuations, research suggests that people generally experience an increasing sense of confidence and self-esteem from the teens to midlife. In contrast, self-esteem may decrease as people reach later adulthood and confront increased physical and cognitive challenges.

Question 18

After living together for a year, Sylvia and Yefim have decided to marry. Research on premarital cohabitation most strongly suggests that

Accepted Answer

Research on premarital cohabitation consistently shows that couples who cohabit before marriage have a higher likelihood of divorce compared to those who do not. This effect is known as the "cohabitation effect" and is attributed to a variety of factors such as lower commitment levels, less social support for the relationship, and a lack of preparation for the challenges of marriage. Thus, the best choice is D, their marriage will have a higher-than-average probability of ending in divorce.

Question 19

There is very little relationship between the age of an adult and his or her

Accepted Answer

Age does not necessarily predict level of life satisfaction. This can vary greatly among individuals and may be influenced by various factors such as personality, life experiences, and circumstances.

Question 20

As people progress into late adulthood, they increasingly use words that convey ________ emotions, and the amygdala shows diminishing activity in response to ________ events.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that as individuals age, they become more focused on positive information and use more positive words to describe their experiences. Additionally, the amygdala, which is responsible for processing emotions, shows diminished responses to negative events in late adulthood. Therefore, the best choice is D, positive words and a decrease in amygdala activity in response to negative events.

Quiz 4: Developing Through the Life Span