Deck 16: Middle Adulthood: Social and Emotional Development

Question 1

According to the textbook, which of the following questions represents one of the major financial decisions facing middle-aged adults?

A) Should they help their aging parents, who may require expensive long-term care, or should they focus on their own financial stability and security, knowing they will in time receive an inheritance?
B) Should they help their adult children, or should they focus on their own financial stability and security?
C) Should they sell what has been considered the family home and downsize to provide the extra cash that would support their aging parents?
D) Should they sell what has been considered the family home and downsize to provide the extra cash needed to support their children's postsecondary education?

Answer 1

B

Question 2

According to Erikson's psychosocial theory of development, which of the following is NOT suggested that adults do during middle adulthood?

A) find a purpose in their life
B) embrace their role as grandparents, if the opportunity exists
C) attempt to produce something that will be long-lasting and worthwhile
D) find a partner to start their lives with

Answer 2

D

Question 3

According to Erikson's psychosocial theory of development, which of the following best characterizes people who are unable to have children?

A) stagnant
B) unable to become generative
C) in need of substitutes to fill their drive for generativity
D) better off psychologically than those who have more than two children

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following is common to the theories of development during middle adulthood?

A) They distinguish middle adulthood as a distinct event.
B) They agree that a midlife crisis exists.
C) They agree that middle adulthood begins at age 35.
D) They question whether middle adulthood is a distinct stage or simply a phase of life.

Question 5

According to Erikson's concept of generativity, which of the following best characterizes Mary, who is unable to have children?

A) Her life will remain unfulfilled.
B) She will need to adopt a child to remain satisfied with life.
C) She needs to find a substitute activity.
D) She will find life fulfillment through work and her marriage.

Question 6

According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, what stage of development occurs during middle adulthood?

A) intimacy vs. isolation
B) launching vs. empty nest
C) generativity vs. stagnation
D) identity vs. identity confusion

Question 7

According to Havighurst, keeping our work performance at a satisfactory level is considered a developmental task during which stage?

A) adolescence
B) early adulthood
C) middle adulthood
D) late adulthood

Question 8

According to Erikson (1980), what is psychosocial generativity based on?

A) the need for appreciation from peers
B) an instinctual drive toward procreativity, bearing and rearing children
C) a learned behaviour, causing people to behave in socially acceptable ways
D) cognitive processes whereby people can think hypothetically about their futures

Question 9

When Elliott Jaques coined the term midlife crisis he based this term on which of the following?

A) His studies of clinical patients who were dealing with depression and angst about getting older.
B) His role as an addiction researcher, when supporting his patients through their alcoholism treatment based on their fears of aging and regret.
C) His patients in his physiotherapy practice who were seeking out advice on how to increase their physical endurance in order to delay aging.
D) His patients in his cosmetic surgery practice who were seeking out treatment to increase their physical beauty as a means to ward off aging.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a developmental task of middle adulthood identified by Havighurst (1972)?

A) preparing for retirement
B) developing a range of leisure activities
C) adjusting to the demands of an aging parent
D) establishing a deeper relationship with our partner

Question 11

Which of the following does NOT define the concept of generativity?

A) caring for future generations
B) caring for one's own children
C) caring for other people
D) caring for animal rights

Question 12

Approximately what percentage of Canadians aged 45-64 are still working to pay off their mortgage?

A) 25%
B) 35%
C) 45%
D) 55%

Question 13

According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, which of the following results in stagnation?

A) people rejecting their natural drive to have children
B) people's salary upgrades no longer increasing as they get older
C) adult children moving out of their parents' house
D) the decline of cognitive processes that leads to declines in productivity

Question 14

According to Erikson's theory, which of the following best characterizes those who are NOT generative during middle adulthood?

A) They will become stagnant.
B) They are incapable of progressing to the next stage of life.
C) They have a better purpose than those who are generative.
D) They are happier and more satisfied than those who are generative.

Question 15

According to Erikson's psychosocial theory of development, what is generativity?

A) the ability to create power
B) the ability to produce something
C) what is needed during early adulthood
D) a negative outcome of middle adulthood

Question 16

Kathy is walking down the street.According Daniel Levinson's sociological process, as she looks encounters various individuals, she will categorize everyone by three dimensions.Which dimension will she NOT categorize people by?

A) age
B) race
C) economic status
D) gender

Question 17

Mary, who is unable to have children, began volunteering at a homeless shelter when she was in her 40s.According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, which of the following best characterizes Mary?

A) She is becoming stagnant.
B) She is unable to reach her potential.
C) She is successfully becoming generative.
D) She is unable to complete her developmental tasks for middle adulthood.

Question 18

Because of her life situation, Janet states that she can point to a perfect example of "the boomerang" generation.Which of the following is Janet referring to?

A) her 23-year-old daughter who just graduated from university and has moved home
B) her past six years of employment that led her to move from job to job because of the changing economy
C) her 79-year-old mother who has just moved from home to hospital to a long-term care facility
D) having been married in her 20s, divorced in her 30s, remarried in her late 40s, and now juggling the needs of her blended family

Question 19

Which of the following best characterizes Havighurst's (1972) model of developmental tasks during middle adulthood?

A) It is based on the media's interpretation.
B) It encompasses the lives of diverse individuals.
C) It has NO relevance to modern life.
D) It describes tasks that are NOT relevant to all adults.

Question 20

Stanley and his wife never had children.Now that Stanley is 50, he feels something is missing from his life.According to Erikson's psychosocial theory of development, what has happened to Stanley?

A) He is stagnant.
B) He is regressing to an earlier stage.
C) He is unable to overcome his loss.
D) He is becoming generative.

Question 21

Which of the following best characterizes many adults' view of their middle years?

A) painful and depressing
B) overwhelmed by the changing world and global problems
C) no different from early adulthood
D) filled with opportunities for new direction and fulfillment

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of most adults during midlife?

A) They are at their peak earning level.
B) They are settled geographically and vocationally.
C) They have strong social connections.
D) They fear the empty nest.

Question 23

When does the onset of midlife occur?

A) It occurs at age 35.
B) It occurs at age 40
C) It occurs at age 45.
D) It depends on when you were born.

Question 24

What is the focus of the life-events approach to middle adulthood?

A) intellectual crises
B) stages of development
C) physical declines that lead to depression
D) challenges and changes that people face during this time

Question 25

According to Daniel Levinson and his colleagues, which of the following best characterizes the midlife transition?

A) It occurs around age 30 to 35.
B) It is the same as the midlife crisis.
C) It does NOT exist; no time of midlife is distinct from other parts of adulthood.
D) It is a shift when people start to think of how much time they have left to live.

Question 26

According to Levinson's "seasons of life" theory, which of the following best distinguishes middle adulthood from other stages of life?

A) the midlife crisis
B) great happiness and feelings of accomplishment
C) fear because there is too much to look forward to and NOT enough time
D) unfulfilled dreams and goals

Question 27

Which of the following best describes a woman's perspective on the last child leaving home?

A) Apart from death of a loved one, it is the most stressful life event for mothers.
B) It is viewed positively only for working mothers.
C) Modern mothers often view this life stage as a positive event.
D) It is seldom viewed positively but is easier for stay-at-home mothers.

Question 28

Which of the following best characterizes most people's experience of the midlife transition?

A) They will have a midlife crisis.
B) They are likely to get divorced or buy a sports car.
C) They may experience positive and negative emotions.
D) They may experience negative emotions and numerous regrets

Question 29

According to the textbook, which of the following best characterizes most people's experience during midlife?

A) Most experience little physical decline.
B) Most have significant psychological upset.
C) Most find their intellectual development stalls.
D) Most find setting future goals difficult and overwhelming.

Question 30

According to Levinson and colleagues (1978), which of the following best characterizes the midlife crisis?

A) It is a time when psychotherapy is necessary.
B) It is a time when most people experience significant depression.
C) It is a time of stock-taking of one's life.
D) It depends on which generation you were born in.

Question 31

Which of the following best represents the view of middle adulthood by observers of human development?

A) Physical prowess is at its peak for most people.
B) Middle adulthood is seen as a time of steep decline.
C) Middle adulthood is NOT considered an important stage of life.
D) The views vary in terms of whether middle adulthood is a time of crisis or renewal.

Question 32

Which of the following best characterizes Becker's (2006) view of psychotherapy?

A) Psychotherapy is a sign of weakness.
B) Psychotherapy is ineffective for people over age 25.
C) Psychotherapy can be an overzealous decision for people during midlife.
D) Psychotherapy may be useful for those going through a midlife transition.

Question 33

Maude turned 40 this past year and now she has quit her job and taken up with a much younger man after leaving her husband of 15 years.According to Levinson, which of the following is Maude experiencing?

A) stagnation
B) generativity
C) a midlife crisis
D) a transition in life that all adults experience

Question 34

Which of the following best characterizes middle adulthood?

A) a time of few stressors
B) a time of both positive and negative aspects
C) a time of great responsibility, but few positive aspects
D) a time when few people cope well with multiple stressors

Question 35

Which of the following best characterizes Levinson's view of the midlife crisis?

A) It is a problem everyone experiences during middle adulthood.
B) It can be triggered by menopause or the death of a friend or parent.
C) It is a problem only for men.
D) It is a developmental milestone essential for further growth.

Question 36

Which of the following best characterizes Levinson and his colleagues' (1978) view of the transition to midlife?

A) It is a time to take stock of one's life.
B) It is a time to focus on one's grandchildren.
C) It is a time when many find they fall short of others' expectations of them.
D) It is a time when one's outstanding goals are pursued.

Question 37

According to the textbook, the latest trend in Canadian divorce rates could lead us to use which of the following expressions?

A) the 7-year itch
B) the 17-year itch
C) the 27-year itch
D) the 30-year itch

Question 38

According to Levinson, which of the following is NOT likely to be exhibited by people experiencing a midlife crisis?

A) a sense of self-doubt and anxiety
B) behaviours that deny their aging
C) the desire to have a sports car or an extramarital affair
D) pride in their life's accomplishments and planning ahead

Question 39

Elliott Jaques coined the term midlife crisis.What did he base this term on?

A) his studies of clinical patients who were dealing with depression and angst about getting older
B) his role as an addiction researcher, when supporting his patients through their alcoholism treatment based on their fears of aging and regret
C) his patients in his physiotherapy practice who were seeking advice on how to increase their physical endurance and delay aging
D) his patients in his cosmetic surgery practice who were seeking out treatment to increase their physical beauty as a means to ward off the aging process

Question 40

Which of the following best represents the onset of the midlife transition?

A) turning 30
B) turning 35
C) turning 45
D) turning half your lifespan

Question 41

Karen has many life stressors: her job loss, her mother's illness, and her daughter's difficulties in school.Which of the following will NOT determine how Karen will be affected by these stressors?

A) whether she believes the stressors will change over time
B) the amount of social support she has
C) whether she feels she has control over her life
D) her marital status

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT considered a life event?

A) the birth of a child
B) the death of a parent
C) separation and divorce
D) beginning a new exercise regime following a serious illness

Question 43

Ann is neat, organized, and thorough with her homework.She would score high on what aspect of the big five personality model?

A) neuroticism
B) extroversion
C) agreeableness
D) conscientiousness

Question 44

Sandra got divorced, lost her job, and moved to an apartment in a run-down area.She believes these setbacks are temporary.Which of the following will most likely happen to Sandra?

A) She will remarry, start a new job, and move to a better area.
B) She will become severely ill.
C) She will become severely depressed and feel unable to cope.
D) She will manage her stress better than someone who believes this situation will NOT change.

Question 45

Which of the following acts as a moderator of stressful life events?

A) one's perception of the situation
B) the number of family members one has
C) the number of stressors one experiences
D) one's stability in the workforce

Question 46

Which of the following best characterizes the effect of stressful life events?

A) They may alter cognitive abilities.
B) They have little effect on physical health.
C) They have little effect on psychological health.
D) They are important to keep people mentally alert.

Question 47

Which of the following is the most likely effect of an accumulation of stressful life events?

A) acceleration of age-related declines in memory functioning
B) little effect on most people physically, but NOT psychologically
C) little effect on most people psychologically, but NOT physically
D) the same impact if the individual events had occurred at different times

Question 48

Richard is friendly, gregarious, and talkative.In the big five personality model, what does Richard score high in?

A) neuroticism
B) extroversion
C) agreeableness
D) conscientiousness

Question 49

Mario was fired from his job of 20 years, experienced the death of his mother, and rarely sees his children since his divorce.He believes that he has bad luck and that everything he does seems to end badly.Which of the following will most likely happen to Mario?

A) He will become depressed.
B) He will bounce back soon.
C) He will learn new skills more easily than in the past.
D) He will moderate his experience of stressful life events.

Question 50

How does stress affect people during middle adulthood?

A) People experience stress in a series of predictable stages.
B) Those who believe they have control are less likely to be depressed.
C) Those who believe a stressor is global are less likely to be depressed.
D) Those who believe that stressful life events cannot be changed are less likely to be depressed.

Question 51

John scores low on the extroversion portion of the big five test of personality.Which word most likely describes John?

A) shy
B) selfish
C) meticulous
D) outgoing

Question 52

Paul is nervous a lot and often moody.He would score high in which of Costa and McCrae's (2006) personality factors?

A) neuroticism
B) extroversion
C) agreeableness
D) openness to experience

Question 53

Which of the following statements characterizes the "empty nest syndrome"?

A) It no longer exists.
B) It is a positive life event.
C) It affects most middle-aged adults.
D) It affects some parents more than others.

Question 54

Donna believes that life is difficult, often gloomy, and negative.She would score high on what factor of the big five model of personality?

A) neuroticism
B) agreeableness
C) conscientiousness
D) openness to experience

Question 55

Which of the following best characterizes the belief that a stressor is global rather than specific?

A) It is a sign of mental illness.
B) It is more likely to lead to depression.
C) It is more helpful in being able to deal with one's problems.
D) It occurs more often in early adulthood than middle adulthood.

Question 56

Which of the following is NOT one of the five basic personality factors identified by Costa and McCrae (2006)?

A) happiness
B) neuroticism
C) extroversion
D) openness to experience

Question 57

Kelly is pleasant, kind, and trustworthy.In the big five personality model, what does Kelly score high in?

A) neuroticism
B) extroversion
C) agreeableness
D) conscientiousness

Question 58

Cynthia scores low on the neuroticism scale of the big five model of personality.Which of the following phrases best describes Cynthia?

A) distrustful and hostile
B) sociable and outgoing
C) inquisitive and imaginative
D) able to cope with negative events

Question 59

Which of the following best describes the experience of most middle-aged women?

A) They see the "empty nest syndrome" as a time of great depression.
B) They are active in the workforce and find life satisfaction outside of the home.
C) They see their last child moving out of the home as the end of their lives.
D) They often look back and realize all they missed out on while raising their children.

Question 60

Which of the following is NOT considered to be an extremely stressful life event?

A) the death of a child
B) divorce
C) a change in work responsibilities
D) the empty nest

Question 61

Which of the following has been shown by longitudinal and cross-sectional research on personality development?

A) Extroverted adults tend to be become introverted as they get older.
B) Agreeableness and conscientiousness tend to increase during adulthood.
C) People become more neurotic as they get older.
D) People with extroverted personalities become more solidified if they marry other extroverts.

Question 62

Martha and Jack appear to represent typical personality development from young adulthood to middle adulthood.Which of the following best describes Martha and Jack?

A) For both, their traits of neuroticism will increase.
B) Martha's trait of neuroticism will decline, but Jack's will increase.
C) For both, their traits of conscientiousness will increase
D) Martha's trait of conscientiousness will increase, but Jack's will decline.

Question 63

What trend was shown by longitudinal research on group personality change?

A) Agreeableness declines from young adulthood to middle adulthood.
B) Those who are most extroverted in young adulthood will become more introverted in middle adulthood.
C) Conscientiousness declines from young adulthood to middle adulthood.
D) Neuroticism declines from young adulthood to middle adulthood.

Question 64

Which of the following best characterizes middle-aged workers?

A) They are less fulfilled than they were as young adults.
B) They are less realistic about their careers than they were when they were younger.
C) They are less content because they realize they have NOT attained their lifelong dreams.
D) They have more expertise and higher salaries, which may lead to higher job satisfaction.

Question 65

Which of the following has been shown by research on job satisfaction during middle adulthood?

A) Few people are satisfied with their jobs.
B) Most workers are satisfied with their jobs.
C) Earnings levels have little to do with job satisfaction.
D) Most people are happy with how much they are paid.

Question 66

Which of the following best characterizes the effects of unemployment?

A) It affects all individuals in the same way.
B) It is harder on younger adults than middle-aged adults.
C) It harms the physical and psychological well-being of many individuals.
D) It affects those with more social support to a greater degree because they are more embarrassed to have lost their jobs.

Question 67

Laurie is silent, passive, and reserved.In the big five personality model, what factor would Laurie score low on?

A) extroversion
B) conscientious
C) agreeableness
D) openness to experience

Question 68

According to the research cited in the textbook, which of the following is NOT related to job satisfaction?

A) one's age
B) one's gender
C) one's additional life roles; being a parent
D) one's occupational level (white collar or blue collar)

Question 69

Carlo is imaginative and creative in his use of paints in art class.In the big five personality model, what does Carlo score high in?

A) neuroticism
B) extroversion
C) conscientiousness
D) openness to experience

Question 70

What was the finding of cross-cultural research on the big five personality factors?

A) Personality traits may have an inborn component.
B) Personality is learned within the first five years of life.
C) Most personality characteristics are related to one's ethnicity.
D) Once someone has developed a behaviour, that person will rarely change.

Question 71

Stan was laid off from his job as an accountant.He does NOT have much money saved, is NOT sure what steps to take in his job search, and feels that if he had worked harder, he might NOT have been laid off.Which of the following statements is most likely to characterize Stan?

A) He is depressed and has a lower physical well-being than some of his peers.
B) He is depressed regardless of whether he has friends or loved ones he can rely on.
C) He is initially depressed but can become focused and re-energized after career counselling.
D) He will reflect on his life and will acknowledge that he did NOT like being an accountant.

Question 72

Why do people change careers during middle adulthood?

A) for strictly economic reasons
B) for better insurance, but NOT for more money
C) for more prestige, more money, more security
D) for reduction of both responsibility and stimulation

Question 73

More than 2,000 university employees were studied regarding their job satisfaction.Which of the following best reflects the study's findings?

A) Job satisfaction declined during middle adulthood.
B) Women were happier with their work than men.
C) Job satisfaction increased steadily during middle adulthood.
D) Working women reported the least amount of job satisfaction.

Question 74

According to research, how do older unemployed women differ in their experience compared with younger unemployed women?

A) They are more likely to experience financial strains.
B) They are more likely to experience discrimination.
C) They are more likely to experience a decline in their well-being.
D) They are more likely to take a job they do NOT like as long as the pay is sensible.

Question 75

According to the textbook, which of the following statements best describes changing one's job?

A) It is more likely in middle adulthood than early adulthood.
B) In middle adulthood, it typically involves changing into related areas.
C) It is rarely voluntary during middle adulthood.
D) It is normally done to seek out emotional fulfillment.

Question 76

Which of the following is a finding of research on personality development?

A) Childhood has specific stages of development.
B) Getting married leads to dramatic changes in personality.
C) Personality is learned within the first three years of life.
D) Personality characteristics show a fair amount of stability over a lifetime.

Question 77

Kelly and Steve appear to represent typical personality development from young adulthood to late adulthood.Which of the following best describes Kelly and Steve?

A) For both, the traits of being open to new experience will increase more in late adulthood.
B) Steve's trait of being open to new experience increases more in late adulthood, but Kelly's will decline.
C) For both, their traits of agreeableness will increase.
D) Kelly's traits of agreeableness will increase, but Steve's will decline.

Question 78

Stella is careless with how she prepares her reports for work and is often late for meetings.She would score low on what factor of the big five model of personality?

A) neuroticism
B) agreeableness
C) conscientiousness
D) openness to experience

Question 79

Which of the following has been shown by longitudinal studies of personality?

A) Most people change their personalities radically during middle adulthood.
B) People with introverted personalities become more solidified when they marry extroverts.
C) Personalities show consistency in general, but some general developmental trends are evident across adulthood.
D) Personality traits show little consistency from early to late adulthood.

Question 80

According to longitudinal research on group personality change, what personality trait will usually increase from young adulthood to middle adulthood?

A) neuroticism
B) openness to experiences
C) conscientiousness
D) extroversion