Question 1

Which of the following is a reason for holding negative views about old age?

Accepted Answer

Each of the statements provided can contribute to negative views about old age. A) reflects societal attitudes towards mortality and decline; B) suggests ambiguity and uncertainty, which can foster negative stereotypes; and C) points to challenges in accommodating a growing and diverse elderly population, which can also lead to negative perceptions.

Question 2

Research cited in your textbook refutes the stereotype that adults in old age are unhappy and states that:

Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

According to the research study cited in your textbook regarding positive and negative affect and personality traits of the elderly:

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is D because the research indicates that positive and negative affects are independent dimensions of emotional experience. This means that individuals can experience high levels of positive emotions without necessarily experiencing low levels of negative emotions, and vice versa.

Question 4

The developmental conflict inherent in Erik Erikson's eighth stage of development is:

Accepted Answer

Erik Erikson's eighth stage of development, which typically occurs in late adulthood, is characterized by the conflict between integrity and despair. This stage involves reflecting on one's life and either feeling a sense of fulfillment (integrity) or regret (despair).

Question 5

Dana is 93 years old, and although she cannot get around as well as she used to, she feels a sense of contentment for having lived an active, full, and complete life. According to Erikson's developmental theory, Dana is feeling a sense of:

Accepted Answer

Erikson's developmental theory posits that in old age, individuals strive for a sense of integrity, reflecting back on their life with a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, which aligns with Dana's feelings.

Question 6

An update of Erikson's The Life Cycle Completed:

Accepted Answer

Erikson's original theory included eight stages of development. The update, "The Life Cycle Completed," introduced by his wife, Joan Erikson, after his death, added a ninth stage to address the challenges of very old age.

Question 7

Many hospice care centers help their clients to look back on their lives, reminisce and share family history from one generation to another. The client gains feelings of self-worth, continuity in personality, and happiness about preserving family history. Individuals also discover interesting life experiences and memories about each other. This process affirms the importance of life experiences and achievements and, for some, gives new meaning to life. This process is called:

Accepted Answer

The process described is known as "life review," a therapeutic approach in hospice care where individuals reflect on their lives, leading to increased self-worth, continuity, and happiness. It involves a more structured and comprehensive reflection on one's life experiences and achievements, often with the goal of finding new meaning or resolving past conflicts.

Question 8

Although she has retired from her job, Daisy feels a sense of satisfaction in her other roles as grandmother, literacy volunteer, club member, and musician. According to Robert Peck, she has attained:

Accepted Answer

According to Robert Peck, one of the tasks in later adulthood is "ego differentiation versus work-role preoccupation." This means finding satisfaction in aspects of life outside of work roles, such as family, community, and personal interests. Daisy's satisfaction in her roles as a grandmother, literacy volunteer, club member, and musician indicates she has attained ego differentiation.

Question 9

Randolph had been a professional athlete all of his life but has developed severe symptoms of Lou Gehrig's disease as an older adult. This has been a terrible blow to him and he is absorbed with his loss of physical function. According to Peck, he is in a state of:

Accepted Answer

According to Peck, being absorbed with loss of physical function and focusing on the limitations and problems associated with one's body, as Randolph is, indicates a state of body preoccupation. This contrasts with body transcendence, where an individual would move beyond physical limitations to find value in other aspects of life.

Question 10

The Wellingtons are an elderly couple who have decided to donate their fortune to create a scholarship so their legacy will live on after they have passed away. According to Peck, this is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Ego transcendence refers to the stage in late adulthood, as described by Erik Erikson, where individuals seek to ensure their lives have meaning beyond their own existence, often through contributions that will outlast them, such as creating a scholarship.

Question 11

Jack is 72 but refuses to grow old. He believes it is important to stay young by keeping fit and active. According to the trait theory of aging, Jack is a __________ type of integrated individual.

Accepted Answer

The trait theory of aging suggests that individuals adapt to aging in different ways. A "reorganizer" type, like Jack, is someone who replaces previous life roles with new ones, focusing on staying active and engaged, which aligns with his belief in keeping fit and active to stay young.

Question 12

Even at the age of 71, Janine is achievement-oriented, ambitious, and strives for success. She also has a need for tight control over events and is highly defensive against anxiety. According to the trait theory of aging, which type of personality is she?

Accepted Answer

Janine's characteristics of being achievement-oriented, ambitious, striving for success, needing tight control over events, and being highly defensive against anxiety align with the "armored-defended" personality type described in the trait theory of aging. This type is characterized by a strong defense mechanism against anxiety and a focus on control and achievement.

Question 13

Ken is 73 but refuses to retire from his job. He doesn't want to slow down, claiming, "I'll work until I drop dead." According to the trait theory of aging, Ken is a ___________ type of armored-defended individual.

Accepted Answer

According to the trait theory of aging, individuals who refuse to slow down and insist on maintaining their usual pace of life, like Ken, are described as "holder-on" types. This term reflects their determination to hold on to their roles and activities despite aging.

Question 14

Ronald is described as a "rocking chair" old-timer who has disengaged from life. According to the trait theory of aging, Ronald is a(n) ___________ type of passive-dependent individual:

Accepted Answer

The trait theory of aging categorizes Ronald as an "apathetic" type of passive-dependent individual because this term describes someone who has disengaged from life, showing a lack of interest or concern, which aligns with the description of Ronald as a "rocking chair" old-timer who has disengaged.

Question 15

Which of the following personality types exhibits gross deficits in psychological functions, an overall deterioration in their thought processes, and low life satisfaction and activity levels?

Accepted Answer

Unintegrated personality types are characterized by significant impairments in psychological functions, including a marked deterioration in thought processes, and they often experience low levels of life satisfaction and activity. This contrasts with integrated personalities, which demonstrate healthy psychological functioning and coping mechanisms.

Question 16

According to the _____________ theory of aging, aging is a progressive process of physical, psychological, and social withdrawal from the wider world.

Accepted Answer

The disengagement theory of aging suggests that aging involves an inevitable process where individuals gradually withdraw from social roles and relationships, leading to increased focus on self rather than societal engagement.

Question 17

The _____________ theory of aging states that most healthy older persons maintain fairly stable levels of activity as long as possible and then find substitutes when they must give them up.

Accepted Answer

The activity theory of aging suggests that older adults are happiest when they stay active and maintain social interactions. It posits that a person's self-concept is related to the roles held by that person and that successful aging occurs when older adults stay active and maintain social interactions.

Question 18

The _______________ theory of aging states that the elderly become increasingly vulnerable as their social relationship bargaining power is diminished.

Accepted Answer

The social exchange theory of aging suggests that as people age, their social interactions become more limited due to a decrease in the resources they have to offer in social exchanges, such as health, energy, and money. This decrease in bargaining power can lead to a reduction in the number and quality of their social relationships, making them more vulnerable.

Question 19

The _____________ theory of aging states that the status of the aged tends to be high in traditional societies and lower in urbanized, industrialized societies.

Accepted Answer

The modernization theory of aging suggests that the status of older individuals is higher in traditional, less industrialized societies, where their knowledge and experience are valued. In contrast, in more urbanized, industrialized societies, the status of the elderly tends to decline as their roles and contributions are often viewed as less relevant.

Question 20

The Baltes' life span model asserts that older people cope with aging through a strategy that involves focusing on the skills most needed, practicing those skills, and developing ways to compensate for other skills. This is called:

Accepted Answer

The Baltes' life span model introduces the concept of "selective optimization with compensation" as a strategy by which older adults cope with the challenges of aging. This involves selecting and focusing on the most important skills, optimizing those skills through practice, and compensating for declines in other areas.

Quiz 18: Late Adulthood: Emotional and Social Development