Question 1

After Ralph turned 50, he began to have occasional problems with erectile dysfunction. If he asked his physician for a prescription to help with this problem, he should assume that the drugs prescribed would help about _____ of the men that have this problem.

Accepted Answer

Drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction are effective in 60-80% of the men for whom they are prescribed.

Question 2

Which of the following statements is most accurate, regarding the relationship between educational level and early death?

Accepted Answer

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as cited in the text, people with more than a high school education are at less than half the risk of dying early than are those with 12 years of schooling or less. Figure 14-6 also makes this point.

Question 3

Statistically speaking, which of the following people would most likely report the LOWEST level of sexual satisfaction?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that sexual satisfaction tends to decrease with age, so the individuals who are older (Laurie and Peter) are more likely to report lower levels of sexual satisfaction compared to the younger individuals (Linda and Bob). Additionally, women tend to have lower levels of sexual satisfaction compared to men, so Laurie may be particularly likely to report lower levels of sexual satisfaction.

Question 4

About what percent of middle-aged men experience erectile dysfunction on more than an infrequent basis?

Accepted Answer

About 10-20% of middle-aged men experience erectile dysfunction on more than an infrequent basis.

Question 5

At what age does sexual behavior reach its highest level?

Accepted Answer

Sexual behavior tends to peak in the mid-20s for many individuals. This period is often characterized by the highest levels of sexual desire and activity, influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors.

Question 6

Between the ages of 45 and 54, the cause of the largest percentage of deaths is __________; between the ages of 55 and 64, the cause of the largest percentage of deaths is _________.

Accepted Answer

Cancer is the leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 45 and 54, and it remains the leading cause of death for the next age group, 55 to 64.

Question 7

The text defines sensuality as:

Accepted Answer

Sensuality is defined as behaviors that involve physical touch and intimacy, such as hugging, touching and stroking, which may or may not lead to sexual activity. It encompasses a broad range of physical experiences and can enhance emotional intimacy in a relationship.

Question 8

The life expectancy today for individuals who have reached the age of 45 in the United States is:

Accepted Answer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the current life expectancy for persons who have reached the age of 45 in the United States is approximately 80 years.

Question 9

According to the text, adults age 55-64 are LESS likely to die from which of the following conditions than are adults age 45-54?

Accepted Answer

Adults age 55-64 are less likely to die from accidents, suicides, and homicides than are adults age 45-54. The text does not provide information on the likelihood of death from cancer, heart disease, or respiratory diseases in these age groups.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the typical pattern of satisfaction with sexual partners at age 30, and at age 55.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that men and women report similar levels of sexual satisfaction at age 30, but by age 55 men report higher levels of satisfaction compared to women. This may be due to changes in hormonal levels and physical functioning in women with age that can affect sexual satisfaction. However, it should be noted that individual experiences and factors such as relationship quality can also have a significant impact on sexual satisfaction at any age.

Question 11

In 1965, about of U.S. adults smoked cigarettes; today about do so.

Accepted Answer

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 1965 approximately 42% of U.S. adults smoked cigarettes, while in 2021 this percentage has decreased to around 20%.

Question 12

Which of the following groups has the LOWEST death rate during middle adulthood?

Accepted Answer

Research shows that individuals with higher levels of education have lower mortality rates. Therefore, option A has a higher death rate than option B. However, option C has a lower death rate than both options A and B. As for option D, males generally have higher mortality rates than females, which eliminates it as the best choice.

Question 13

According to the text, which of the following chronic health conditions affects the largest proportion of middle-aged adults?

Accepted Answer

According to the text, arthritis affects approximately 52.5% of middle-aged adults, making it the chronic health condition that affects the largest proportion of this demographic. Mental illness, diabetes, and lung diseases and dysfunctions are also mentioned in the text but are not stated to affect as large of a proportion of middle-aged adults as arthritis.

Question 14

According to the text, the greatest age-related decline in deaths from ages 35-44 to ages 55-64 is in which of the following causes of death?

Accepted Answer

Accidents show the greatest age-related decline in deaths from ages 35-44 to ages 55-64, as other causes like cancer and heart disease tend to increase with age.

Question 15

At every age level throughout the lifespan, the death rate of men is about _____ that of women.

Accepted Answer

Studies consistently show that men have a higher mortality rate than women at every age level throughout the lifespan, with men's death rates being approximately double those of women. This is believed to be due to a combination of biological, behavioral, and social factors, including higher rates of risky behaviors and occupational hazards among men, and lower rates of healthcare utilization and disease screening.

Question 16

Paul is 35 years old and Mark is 55 years old. In comparison to Paul, Mark's sexual activity is likely to be ______ frequent and to involve ______ satisfaction.

Accepted Answer

Frequency of sexual activity, but for men the satisfaction with sexual partners increases after about age 50.

Question 17

According to the text, compared to early adulthood, in middle adulthood men generally take _____ time to achieve erection and orgasm and women generally take _____ time to achieve orgasm.

Accepted Answer

In middle adulthood, physiological changes often lead to men taking more time to achieve erection and orgasm, and women also generally take more time to achieve orgasm compared to early adulthood.

Question 18

Hal, age 60, is concerned about his mortality. According to the text, Hal is statistically most likely to die from:

Accepted Answer

According to statistics, the leading cause of death for individuals aged 60 and over is cancer. While accidents, suicides, and homicides are a concern for people of all age groups, chronic liver disease and HIV infection resulting in AIDS are not as common causes of death for individuals in this age demographic.

Question 19

If you were to conduct a survey that included responses from 1,000 men over the age of 40, about how many of them would report experiencing some erectile dysfunction (assuming they were truthful)?

Accepted Answer

Studies report that about 50% men over the age of 40 will experience some erectile dysfunction.

Question 20

Which of the following groups has the HIGHEST death rate during middle adulthood?

Accepted Answer

Males with less than 12 years of education have been shown to have higher rates of health risk behaviors, such as smoking and substance abuse, which can lead to higher mortality rates during middle adulthood. Females with less than 12 years of education also have higher mortality rates compared to those with higher levels of education, but not as high as males in the same situation. Therefore, A is the best choice as it specifically mentions males, who have the highest death rate during this stage of life.

Quiz 14: Middle Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development