Question 1

In the United States today, most middle-aged women express little regret about entering menopause.

Accepted Answer

According to research and surveys, most middle-aged women in the United States do not express regret about entering menopause.

Question 2

According to Arline Geronimus, the term "weathering" describes:

Accepted Answer

Arline Geronimus coined the term "weathering" to describe the cumulative effects of stress associated with poverty and discrimination on the health of marginalized communities.

Question 3

Men are much more satisfied than are women with their sexual partners throughout adulthood.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Studies have shown that overall, men and women report similar levels of satisfaction with their sexual partners. However, there may be individual differences and factors that influence satisfaction, such as communication, emotional connection, and physical compatibility.

Question 4

Of the physical changes in the senses that are associated with aging, decline in vision is usually the first to occur.

Accepted Answer

Visual acuity usually remains stable from adolescence through the 40s and early 50s, and vision for distant objects often becomes better. However, the sense of hearing begins to decline at about age 20 for most people.

Question 5

Levinson's investigation of midlife crises in males revealed large differences between the experiences of successful middle-class men and unsuccessful lower-class men.

Accepted Answer

Levinson's original work was a study of primarily highly successful middle-class White men. However, he later extended his conclusions to most people, including women, and concluded that the midlife crisis is a common developmental event.

Question 6

The personal and psychological adjustments associated with menopause are experienced by women around the world in highly similar ways.

Accepted Answer

The text cites research indicating that in some Indian castes, women generally report no negative symptoms associated with menopause, suggesting that culture defines to a large extent how women experience this biological event.

Question 7

According to the text, adult members of minority populations in the United States are less likely than the White population to suffer from:

Accepted Answer

According to the text, White Americans are more likely than members of minority groups to suffer from depression.

Question 8

Most researchers nowadays agree with Levinson's view of middle adulthood in men as routinely involving a midlife crisis.

Accepted Answer

Researchers today more often view the transition into middle adulthood as continuous and non-traumatic. Although some people may experience a "midlife" crisis, for those who do this is just as likely to come in the 30s or 50s, and is likely to reflect the specific events in an individual's life.

Question 9

According to the results of the MIDUS survey, it is apparent that ______________ contribute to the health risks of low-income minority populations.

Accepted Answer

The results of the MIDUS survey suggest that low income and minority status both contribute to the health risks of low-income minority populations.

Question 10

According to the text, which of the following is LEAST likely to be a problem for older workers who are retraining in new, technology-oriented jobs?

Accepted Answer

The text does not mention anything about older workers having lower intelligence than younger workers, so this option is the least likely to be a problem. The text does mention that older workers may have poorer vision and slower reaction times, and may struggle initially with learning new skills, but these can be overcome with training and accommodations.

Question 11

Hormone replacement therapy has been found to be associated with many positive benefits, but very few, if any, health risks.

Accepted Answer

Research on the health risks associated with HRT is inconclusive, but it does seem to provide relief for the troublesome symptoms of menopause and to slow or stop bone loss, but it also seems to be linked to higher incidence of some cancers (especially breast cancer) and may increase women's risk of heart disease. It also may be linked to positive protective factors associated with cognitive decline.

Question 12

Although most adults experience gradual decline in their overall health during middle adulthood, their sense of well-being and satisfaction with life remain intact during these years.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that despite the physical changes and health challenges that can occur during middle adulthood, many individuals report stable or even increased levels of life satisfaction and well-being, often due to factors like life experience, emotional regulation, and established relationships.

Question 13

S. women age 50 and over, the best estimate is that about 20% will suffer a broken bone related to osteoporosis.

Accepted Answer

The percentage is actually closer to 50%.

Question 14

The period of middle adulthood occurs at the same time and lasts the same length of time for everyone.

Accepted Answer

Middle adulthood is a cultural construction of the 20^th century, and its beginning and ending points depend on the life experiences the person is going through.

Question 15

According to the text, which of the following types of institutions are most likely to be involved in the retraining of an older workforce?

Accepted Answer

Community colleges are more likely to offer vocational and technical courses that can help older workers gain new skills and transition into new careers. They also tend to have more flexible schedules and lower tuition costs, making them a more accessible option for older learners. 4-year private colleges and state universities may offer retraining programs as well, but they may be more geared towards traditional college-aged students. High schools generally do not provide retraining programs for older workers.

Question 16

Professionals that adjust the way that machines and technologies work so that older workers can learn and operate them more efficiently are called:

Accepted Answer

The text notes that "human factors engineers study these situations and re-design machines to make them easier to use."

Question 17

Most decision makers in government, corporations, and society are middle aged.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that most decision makers in government, corporations, and society are middle aged. This is due to their experience, knowledge, and established career paths.

Question 18

Although reaction time usually slows somewhat during middle adulthood, performance usually does not decline much, due to the greater experience that middle-aged adults have that allows them to compensate.

Accepted Answer

As people age, their reaction time tends to slow down, and this change typically becomes more noticeable during middle adulthood. However, the extent of this decline can vary from person to person and may be influenced by factors such as overall health, physical fitness level, and cognitive abilities.

Question 19

The climacteric is experienced by both men and women, but menopause is a biological event that only women experience.

Accepted Answer

The climacteric, which is the period of hormonal change that occurs during midlife, can be experienced by both men and women. However, menopause, which is the end of a woman's reproductive ability due to a cessation of ovulation, is something that only women experience.

Question 20

Drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra and Levitra, are effective for a relatively small percentage of the men who take them.

Accepted Answer

The text reports that these drugs are effective for 60-80% of the men who take them.

Quiz 14: Middle Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development