Question 1

Sociologists argue that what we experience as stages of life are
A)defined by biological changes.
B)socially constructed.
C)rooted in psychological states.
D)exactly the same around the world.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists argue that stages of life, such as childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, are not purely determined by biological changes but are socially constructed. Cultural norms and expectations shape how individuals experience and understand different stages of life. For example, the expectations and experiences of adolescence differ across different societies and may change over time within a single society.

Question 2

Portraying elderly people as a whole as senile, rigid, or old-fashioned is an example of
A)racism.
B)classism.
C)ageism.
D)sexism.

Accepted Answer

Ageism is the discrimination or prejudice against individuals based on their age, and portraying elderly people as senile, rigid, or old-fashioned perpetuates negative stereotypes and can lead to discrimination. Racism, classism, and sexism all involve discrimination based on race, social class, or gender, respectively, and are not directly related to discrimination against elderly individuals.

Question 3

Of the levels of "old" discussed in the text, which category is increasing the most rapidly in number?
A)the "younger old"
B)the "elder old"
C)the "older old"
D)the "oldest old"

Accepted Answer

The text states that the fastest growing segment of the older population is the "oldest old," defined as those aged 85 and older.

Question 4

The average age of the U.S.workforce is
A)going up.
B)going down.
C)staying about the same.
D)going up for men and going down for women.

Accepted Answer

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average age of the U.S. workforce has been steadily increasing over the past few decades due to a combination of factors such as fewer young people entering the workforce, a aging population, and longer life expectancy.

Question 5

The fact that the death of a spouse is a very difficult experience helps explain why
A)surviving partners thrive once this transition is behind them.
B)the surviving partner is at high risk of death, sometimes by suicide.
C)divorce rates are high as people enter old age.
D)single people typically outlive married people.

Accepted Answer

The death of a spouse can be an incredibly traumatic and difficult experience that can lead to a range of negative outcomes for the surviving partner, including depression, anxiety, and increased mortality risk, including suicide. Research has shown that the risk of death for a surviving partner can increase significantly in the months following the death of their spouse, and some studies have suggested that this risk may persist for several years afterward. While divorce rates may be higher among older adults, this is not necessarily related to the experience of losing a spouse to death, and there is no clear evidence to suggest that single people consistently outlive married people.

Question 6

What percentage of the 72,000 centenarians in the United States (people aged 100 years or older) are women?
A)21 percent
B)41 percent
C)61 percent
D)81 percent

Accepted Answer

The majority of centenarians in the United States are women, with the percentage being approximately 81%. This reflects broader demographic trends where women generally have longer life expectancies than men.

Question 7

In Japan, a very low birthrate has resulted in
A)a rapid increase in the share of Japan's population over the age of sixty-five.
B)rapid population increase for decades to come.
C)a decline in the number of elderly people.
D)an increasing share of males in Japan's population.

Accepted Answer

A low birthrate means fewer children are born, resulting in a smaller younger population, while the older population grows in comparison. This leads to an increase in the share of Japan's population over the age of sixty-five.

Question 8

Which of the following terms refers to the socially constructed stages people pass through as they live out their lives?
A)aging
B)geriatrics
C)gerontology
D)the life course

Accepted Answer

The term "the life course" refers to the socially constructed stages people pass through as they live out their lives, including childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle age, and old age. Aging refers specifically to the process of growing older, while geriatrics and gerontology are fields of study focused on the medical and social aspects of aging, respectively.

Question 9

Which one of the following statements is correct?
A)Most elderly men and most elderly women live alone.
B)Most elderly men live alone; most elderly women live with a husband.
C)Seventy-two percent of elderly men live with a wife; just 46 percent of elderly women live with a husband.
D)Eighty percent of both elderly men and elderly women live with a spouse.

Accepted Answer

According to the statement, 72% of elderly men live with a wife, while only 46% of elderly women live with a husband. Therefore, option C is the correct statement. The other statements are not supported by the given information.

Question 10

In 1987, Congress passed legislation that
A)set ages of mandatory retirement for everyone.
B)allowed each state to decide if mandatory retirement should exist.
C)required employers to phase out mandatory retirement policies.
D)made mandatory retirement policies optional for companies.

Accepted Answer

The legislation passed in 1987 required employers to phase out mandatory retirement policies, meaning that companies could no longer have policies in place that mandated retirement based on age.

Question 11

By 2030, according to projections, people over the age of sixty-five will represent what percentage of the U.S.population?
A)2 percent
B)20 percent
C)30 percent
D)50 percent

Accepted Answer

By 2030, it is projected that people over the age of sixty-five will represent about 20 percent of the U.S. population, reflecting the aging of the Baby Boomer generation and increased life expectancy.

Question 12

In comparison with the word elder, commonly used in preindustrial societies, the modern term elderly
A)has the same meaning.
B)has a more positive meaning.
C)has a more negative meaning.
D)is without meaning.

Accepted Answer

The modern term elderly has a more negative connotation compared to the term elder that was commonly used in preindustrial societies. The term elder was associated with wisdom and leadership, while the term elderly is often associated with decline and frailty in modern times.

Question 13

In a ______, the greatest wealth, power, and prestige belong to a society's oldest members.
A)theocracy
B)democracy
C)meritocracy
D)gerontocracy

Accepted Answer

A gerontocracy is a form of social organization in which the elderly hold the majority of power and resources in society. This form of leadership is typically found in traditional societies with a strong emphasis on respect for elders and the accumulated knowledge and experience they possess.

Question 14

Our society began to define elder abuse as a social problem in the
A)1950s.
B)1960s.
C)1970s.
D)1980s.

Accepted Answer

Elder abuse began to be recognized as a social problem in the 1980s, with the passage of the first state laws addressing elder abuse and neglect. Prior to that, elder abuse was often hidden and not reported, and there was little awareness of the issue as a social problem.

Question 15

In 1950, people in the United States typically retired at about age sixty-eight; after dropping to age sixty-three in 2005, by 2014, the retirement-age number was about
A)fifty-five.
B)sixty-five.
C)sixty-nine.
D)seventy.

Accepted Answer

The passage states that people in the United States typically retired at age sixty-three in 2005, and by 2014, the retirement-age number was about the same. Therefore, the best choice is B, which is sixty-five.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about elderly widows (females) or widowers (males) remarrying is correct?
A)Widowers are more likely to remarry than widows.
B)Widows are more likely to remarry than widowers.
C)Widowers and widows are equally likely to remarry.
D)Widows and widowers rarely remarry.

Accepted Answer

Widowers are generally more likely to remarry than widows. This can be attributed to various social, emotional, and demographic factors, including differences in life expectancy, availability of partners, and societal expectations.

Question 17

Which of the following terms refers to the average life span of a country's population?
A)longevity
B)life expectancy
C)life course
D)age cohort

Accepted Answer

Life expectancy refers to the average number of years a person is expected to live based on current mortality trends.

Question 18

When older people, especially women, appear on television or in films, it is most often
A)in stereotypical roles.
B)in leading roles.
C)as physically active people.
D)as the most wealthy and powerful people.

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, in mainstream media, older people, especially women, are often portrayed in stereotypical roles such as the wise grandmother or cranky old lady. Rarely are they given leading roles or portrayed as physically active or wealthy and powerful.

Question 19

Which of the following terms refers to a branch of the social sciences dealing with aging and the elderly?
A)geriatrics
B)aging
C)gerontology
D)gerontocracy

Accepted Answer

Gerontology specifically refers to the social sciences branch dealing with aging and the elderly. Geriatrics refers to the medical care of older adults, aging is a broader concept that includes biological, psychological and social aspects of aging, and gerontocracy refers to a political system where the elderly hold the majority of power.

Question 20

The most common source of support and companionship for elderly people is
A)community senior citizen centers.
B)religious institutions.
C)family members.
D)educational programs like Elderhostel.

Accepted Answer

Family members are the most common source of support and companionship for elderly people. Community senior citizen centers, religious institutions, and educational programs like Elderhostel may also provide support and socialization opportunities, but they are not as common or consistent as family relationships.

Quiz 5: Aging and Inequality

Sociologists argue that what we experience as stages of life are

Portraying elderly people as a whole as senile, rigid, or old-fashioned is an example of

Of the levels of "old" discussed in the text, which category is increasing the most rapidly in number?

The average age of the U.S.workforce is

The fact that the death of a spouse is a very difficult experience helps explain why

What percentage of the 72,000 centenarians in the United States (people aged 100 years or older) are women?

In Japan, a very low birthrate has resulted in

Which of the following terms refers to the socially constructed stages people pass through as they live out their lives?

Which one of the following statements is correct?

In 1987, Congress passed legislation that

By 2030, according to projections, people over the age of sixty-five will represent what percentage of the U.S.population?

In comparison with the word elder, commonly used in preindustrial societies, the modern term elderly

In a ______, the greatest wealth, power, and prestige belong to a society's oldest members.

Our society began to define elder abuse as a social problem in the

In 1950, people in the United States typically retired at about age sixty-eight; after dropping to age sixty-three in 2005, by 2014, the retirement-age number was about

Which of the following statements about elderly widows (females) or widowers (males) remarrying is correct?

Which of the following terms refers to the average life span of a country's population?

When older people, especially women, appear on television or in films, it is most often

Which of the following terms refers to a branch of the social sciences dealing with aging and the elderly?

The most common source of support and companionship for elderly people is