Deck 11: The Second Half: Midlife and Aging

Question 1

Identify a true statement about elderspeak.

A) It is unhelpful for people suffering from dementia or hearing loss.
B) It is grammatically simplified and exaggerated in pitch.
C) It conveys competence and extra information.
D) It occurs as a result of speech problems in the elderly.

Answer 1

It is grammatically simplified and exaggerated in pitch.

Question 2

Identify a true statement about ageism.

A) Most people accept ageism and age gracefully without resistance.
B) Medical care and employment are the only areas free of ageism.
C) Middle-aged people hold the most ageist attitudes.
D) Ageism is limited to only disabled seniors.

Answer 2

Middle-aged people hold the most ageist attitudes.

Question 3

Which of the following refers to people who are born in the same decade?

A) age cohort
B) span group
C) age epoch
D) None of these answers is correct.

Answer 3

age cohort

Question 4

Research on sexual attractiveness and aging suggests that

A) there is a double standard of aging.
B) ratings of women's and men's physical attractiveness decline at similar rates.
C) physical attractiveness and age are negatively correlated for both sexes.
D) there is a double standard of aging, and physical attractiveness and age are negatively correlated for both sexes.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is true of the physical health of people in middle and later life?

A) People of color, both men and women, have longer lives than White people, with less chronic illnesses and disabilities as they age.
B) It is highly unlikely for a woman in her 70s to have several chronic health concerns simultaneously.
C) Conditions that limit activity are two to three times more prevalent in women over the age of 75 than in men of the same age group.
D) Death from heart disease has actually decreased for women while increasing for men.

Question 6

Which of the following is true of people who commonly express ageism?

A) They assume an older person with whom they are interacting has memory problems.
B) They assume an older person with whom they are interacting is not worth their attention.
C) They assume an older person with whom they are interacting should not be taken seriously.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 7

In North American society, meaningful roles for elders are more apparent in

A) White Anglo-Saxon Protestant communities.
B) wealthy communities.
C) artistic communities, particularly for writers and poets.
D) collectivist cultures, including many Native American, Asian, and African American communities.

Question 8

Some people speak to the elderly as if they are small children or animals, an approach referred to as

A) majority speech.
B) infantilization.
C) dementia speech.
D) patronspeak.

Question 9

Matthew, a 55-year-old, and Damon, a 33-year-old, applied for a job. In spite of Matthew having more experience than Damon, the management decided to hire Damon because he was younger. This form of discrimination is referred to as

A) rankism.
B) ageism.
C) age stratification.
D) adultism.

Question 10

The belief that women are old at an earlier age than men is referred to as

A) the cohort effect.
B) the double standard of aging.
C) the fossilization effect.
D) elderspeak.

Question 11

Which of the following is a consequence of the double standard of aging?

A) There are few romantic leads for middle-aged women actors.
B) Men are perceived as becoming old later than women.
C) A man is more likely to marry a younger woman than vice versa.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 12

Which of the following is true of how aging men and women view their bodies?

A) Men tend to talk about their bodies as wholes, while women speak of parts of their bodies.
B) Men tend to talk about their bodies as if they were cars, while women speak of their bodies as if they were household appliances.
C) Men tend to talk about their bodies as improving with age, while women speak of their bodies as improving only with plastic surgery.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 13

The leading causes of death for U.S. women include

A) heart disease.
B) breast cancer.
C) car accidents.
D) diabetes.

Question 14

Simple, repetitious, slow, and exaggerated speech can be ________ elderly people.

A) patronizing and disrespectful toward
B) extremely helpful for most
C) disorienting for
D) amusing for

Question 15

Elderspeak, speaking with elders differently than with others, ________.

A) helps older adults who are really suffering from cognitive impairment
B) is a form of ageism
C) is a result of difficulty in understanding elders
D) is a good way to get better acquainted with elders

Question 16

Which of the following is a consequence of speaking to elders as if they are incompetent?

A) It can create a self-fulfilling prophecy.
B) It can lead to them acting as if they are in poorer health than they might otherwise.
C) It can be patronizing.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 17

Which of the following was revealed from an analysis of older women in Disney movies?

A) Older women are depicted as ugly.
B) Older women are depicted as evil, greedy, and power-hungry.
C) Older women are depicted as crazy.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 18

Which of the following usually triggers age stereotyping?

A) learning an older person's age
B) forgetfulness on the older person's part
C) appearance
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 19

Researchers found that older women are upset about changes in their bodies' ________, while older men reported being more upset by changes in their bodies' ________.

A) function; appearance
B) appearance; function
C) height; weight
D) weight; height

Question 20

Eloise has turned 67 years old. People she meets compliment her by saying, "You don't look your age." The implicit assumption in this remark is that she

A) is very pretty.
B) would be ugly if she looked her age.
C) must have exercised her whole life.
D) makes the most of her appearance.

Question 21

Modern researchers believe that hot flashes are caused by a(n)

A) increase in estrogen and a decrease in progesterone.
B) reduction in progesterone.
C) increase in progesterone and a decrease in estrogen.
D) decline in estrogen production.

Question 22

Which of the following statements is most likely true of the physical symptoms of menopause?

A) Ethnic differences in menopausal symptoms are unaffected by socioeconomic status.
B) A woman can be sure that she has reached menopause when she has not had a period for three months.
C) The physical symptoms of menopause are universal and stressful.
D) A decline in estrogen results in women experiencing hot flashes.

Question 23

Research suggests ________ greatly improves older people's health and feelings of well-being as they age.

A) exercise
B) support group
C) plastic surgery
D) family support

Question 24

Which of the following statements is true of menopause?

A) It is the onset of aging in women.
B) It is marked by the absence of periods for a full year.
C) It is caused by an increase in progesterone.
D) It can occur any time between the ages of 65 and 70.

Question 25

Studies of women's actual experiences with menopause suggest that

A) most women do not find menopause particularly stressful.
B) many women perceive menopause as similar to a major illness.
C) older women find menopause more stressful than younger women do.
D) beliefs about menopause have changed dramatically in recent years.

Question 26

Older adults are rarely included in research on

A) heart disease.
B) gender norms.
C) sex.
D) remarriage.

Question 27

Women over the age of 75 are two to three times more likely to have ________ than men in the same age group.

A) arthritis
B) diabetes
C) chronic illness
D) cardiac arrest

Question 28

Ellen is 51 years old and is at the threshold of menopause. Which of the following is Ellen most likely to experience?

A) hot flashes
B) discontinuance of menstruation
C) vaginal changes
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 29

Rasha is experiencing menopause, but she has not sought medical treatment for any symptoms. She and her husband have one child. Which of the following is Rasha most likely to feel?

A) slightly dismayed at not being able to have more children
B) relieved at no longer having to fear pregnancy
C) somewhat isolated from her younger friends who are still menstruating
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 30

Which of the following is true of the psychological experiences of menopause?

A) Depression is a normal part of menopause.
B) Menopause is unrelated to short-term moodiness.
C) Most women cope with the signs of menopause with little fuss.
D) Women feel dismayed that they can no longer become pregnant.

Question 31

Which of the following is revealed from studies of lesbians' experiences of aging?

A) Most lesbians said that being in a relationship was very important and became even more so as they got older.
B) Most lesbians find they're strongly represented in the media.
C) Although there are cases of continued heterosexism, it decreases.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 32

Research suggests that ________ women are most concerned about their appearances and most invested in treating their bodies as improvement projects.

A) working-class
B) African American/Black
C) White middle-class and affluent
D) Latina

Question 33

Which of the following is true of gender differences and coronary heart disease?

A) Estrogens protect women from coronary heart disease.
B) Heart disease has decreased for men but is increasing for women.
C) Heart disease is decreasing for women but staying the same for men.
D) None of these answers is correct.

Question 34

Treatment of women in terms of their reproductive function is exemplified by the

A) use of reproductive hormones to relieve signs of menopause.
B) diagnosis of housewife's disease.
C) empty nest syndrome.
D) diagnosis of retirement depression.

Question 35

Older women having weakness, lack of energy, and poor stamina

A) can "bounce back" only if they were athletic when they were younger.
B) often need to be told that this is a normal part of aging they must accept.
C) can improve strength, bone density, balance, and energy levels through exercise.
D) are typically not receiving the medications they need.

Question 36

Physicians sometimes misdiagnose serious problems like hypertension and heart disease as

A) depression.
B) menopausal symptoms.
C) hypochondria.
D) high blood pressure.

Question 37

One of the most important activities to maintain good health as one ages is

A) spending time with one's partner.
B) exercise.
C) spending time with children.
D) watching television game shows.

Question 38

Which of the following is most likely a factor that limits sexual expression for older heterosexual women?

A) an incapability of enjoying sexual intimacy
B) dating older men, which is seen as ridiculous
C) being aggressively focused in their dating pursuits
D) a shortage of men to go around

Question 39

Sexuality and sexual activity in older people is

A) often considered disgusting or ridiculous due to stereotypes.
B) viewed as an important part of well-being.
C) actually a very important part of life for many.
D) typically a cause of many problems and concerns.

Question 40

Current research on coronary heart disease indicates that

A) there is a shortage of information about women's symptoms.
B) women are less likely to be referred to a cardiac rehabilitation program than are men.
C) women receive very little information on heart disease.
D) there is a shortage of information about women's symptoms, and women are less likely to be referred to a cardiac rehabilitation program than are men.

Question 41

Evelyn's father has difficulty caring for himself since he had a stroke. She spends time with him and helps him around his house. Which of the following is most likely true about Evelyn?

A) She reports doing more for him than she actually does.
B) She experiences emotional strain related to care work.
C) She is an only child.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 42

Many grandmothers who are full-time caregivers of grandchildren report that

A) they are eager to raise another generation of children.
B) they appreciate the financial "breaks" they are afforded for raising children.
C) it was a nondecision as the children's parents were somehow incapacitated.
D) they are eager to raise another generation of children, and they appreciate the financial "breaks" they are afforded for raising children.

Question 43

Which of the following statements is most likely true of the gender difference due to the loss of a life partner?

A) Men cope better with spousal loss because of their financial stability and support networks.
B) Women cope better with spousal loss because widowhood occurs at a younger age than for men.
C) Women are more likely than men to abuse alcohol, suffer a heart attack, or commit suicide following the death of a spouse.
D) Men have less severe depression and fewer serious physical health problems than women.

Question 44

Data comparing women's and men's retirement suggest that

A) current models of retirement are not adequate to describe women's experiences.
B) women and men experience similar transitions when they retire.
C) retirement is more abrupt for women than for men.
D) no research has been done on men and retirement.

Question 45

Grandmother roles provide many women with

A) an awareness that they are growing older.
B) a sense that they are the "second shift."
C) things to do, since few grandparents have activities and hobbies.
D) a meaningful and important place in their families.

Question 46

Which of the following is true of women who care for elderly relatives?

A) They derive benefits from it.
B) They experience negative effects from it.
C) They do the job willingly.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 47

Which of the following is responsible for the changes in sexual activity for women in midlife?

A) finding a suitable partner
B) fewer concerns about pregnancy and interruptions by children
C) what the woman was taught when she was younger
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 48

Which of the following is discovered by women who become grandmothers?

A) They are upset at first because they associate the term with "old age."
B) Their role expectation is extremely strong.
C) The role is more disrespected than that of being a mother.
D) None of these answers is correct.

Question 49

Lesbians named ________ as their number one source of support.

A) their children
B) the gay community
C) their siblings
D) their friends

Question 50

In Native American families, the grandmother

A) is the center of the family and the one who holds it all together.
B) is secondary to the grandfather.
C) typically wants little to do with children.
D) is secondary to the grandfather and typically wants little to do with children.

Question 51

Maria recently got divorced at the age of 55. She has decided to go back to school to finish her B.S. It is likely, compared to other students, Maria will be

A) less successful in school.
B) more successful in school.
C) more committed to school.
D) less committed to school.

Question 52

For lower socioeconomic group women,

A) retirement is guaranteed.
B) retirement occurs earlier than for other women.
C) it is likely that retirement is never going to happen.
D) retirement is likely due to excellent employer benefits.

Question 53

According to research, who among the following does NOT generally provide elder care?

A) women who are disabled themselves
B) women who are too stressed
C) women who are married or have children
D) Asian American men

Question 54

About ________ of all poor older adults in the United States are women.

A) one-fourth
B) one-third
C) half
D) two-thirds

Question 55

Which of the following statements is true when an individual loses a lesbian life partner?

A) It is less stressful than the loss of a spouse in heterosexual marriages.
B) It is generally more difficult due to the added burden of heterosexism.
C) It rarely causes financial hardship to the surviving partner.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 56

Which of the following is an accurate statement?

A) Women are more likely to become widows than men to become widowers.
B) Men who are widowed are likely to remarry.
C) Younger widows usually recover better from their loss than older widows.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 57

The label used to describe middle-aged women who take responsibility for elderly parents, in-laws, and other relatives is

A) tug-of-war caregiver.
B) multiple role mother.
C) woman in the middle.
D) cross-generational caregiver.

Question 58

Which of the following statements is true of women in ethnic minority groups in comparison with European American women?

A) They are more likely to care for their elderly parents.
B) They are more likely to care for people with disabilities.
C) They are more likely to have primary responsibility for one or more grandchildren.
D) None of these answers is correct.

Question 59

Older women may enter school or begin a new career later in life. This is often a result of

A) having fewer family responsibilities.
B) redefining the self with new interests and goals.
C) increased income.
D) having fewer family responsibilities and redefining the self with new interests and goals.

Question 60

Which of the following is most likely true of "women in the middle"?

A) They are the middle generation in their families.
B) They are most often in their older years.
C) They are in the middle of two high-paying jobs.
D) They get high Social Security and retirement benefits when they get old.

Question 61

Activism on behalf of older women is likely to

A) be seen as an issue only among ethnic minority women.
B) be affected by gender-typing when the women were younger.
C) increase dramatically as the Baby Boomer cohort reaches midlife.
D) start with young women.

Question 62

Are women today more likely to be "in the middle"? Cite evidence to support your answer.

Question 63

What is ageism, and how does it affect older people? Provide examples from the daily life.

Question 64

What does the statement "like gender, age is a system of social classification" mean?

Question 65

Why do changes in women's life expectancy have implications for feminists? You may focus on either biological or social events.

Question 66

How do women become invisible as they age? Provide examples in your discussion.

Question 67

For some women, ________ act as a catalyst for activism.

A) too much bran and fiber
B) not enough on Lifetime TV can
C) having a bunch of extra money
D) experiences of ageism

Question 68

What evidence is there that aging is regarded more negatively by society for women than for men?

Question 69

Discuss the positive aspects of growing older from a woman's perspective.

Question 70

How has menopause been "medicalized"? In what ways are models that focus on illness and disease with regards to menopause harmful to women?

Question 71

What are the stresses and problems typically faced by widows? How well do widows cope compared to widowers, and why?

Question 72

Citing your text, what are the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a grandparent? How does ethnicity and social class affect women's experiences of becoming grandmothers?

Question 73

What are some factors that affect a person's likelihood to give care to elderly parents?

Question 74

Why is elder activism likely to increase over the next couple of decades?

Question 75

What are the additional strains on the surviving member of a lesbian couple?

Question 76

Describe the benefits of exercise for older people. What are the barriers that keep older people from engaging in exercise and sports?

Question 77

Why are women more likely than men to be caregivers for elderly relatives and aging spouses? How does personality affect who gets assigned care work? What are the psychological costs and rewards of being a caregiver?

Question 78

What is the difference between the age at which women are considered old as compared to the age at which men are considered old? What are the implications of this difference?

Question 79

Describe how the health, safety, and dignity of older people are affected by poverty, isolation, and ageism. What social, societal, and biological factors allow these problems to develop and continue?

Question 80

What is the difference between a woman's self-identity and her social identity? Why do discrepancies exist between the two?