Question 1

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 2

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 3

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 intelligence as a factor in the retraining of older workers. It focuses more on physical abilities such as vision and reaction times, as well as the potential for slower learning due to lack of familiarity with new technology.

Question 4

Studies show that many middle-aged adults have sex infrequently and most have conventional ideas about love, sex, and marriage.

Accepted Answer

Studies have found that middle-aged adults have sex infrequently and tend to have traditional views about love, marriage, and sexuality.

Question 5

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 6

For some adults in middle adulthood, an emphasis on sexuality gives way to a greater sense of sensuality.

Accepted Answer

As adults age, their focus on sexual activity may decrease, but their ability to experience pleasure and sensuality may increase.

Question 7

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.

Question 8

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 9

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

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that a majority of middle-aged women have a positive attitude towards menopause and do not express regret about entering this phase of life.

Question 10

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, women report higher levels of sexual satisfaction than men. However, there are individual differences and variations in sexual satisfaction between and within genders.

Question 11

Of U. 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 12

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 13

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

Middle-aged adults' experience allows them to compensate for any slowing of their reaction time, so their performance does not decline much.

Question 14

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 suggests that while physical health may decline, many adults report stable or even increased levels of well-being and life satisfaction during middle adulthood due to factors like emotional regulation, life experience, and established social relationships.

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 mentioned in the text as being particularly well-suited for the retraining of older workers due to their affordability, accessibility, and focus on practical skills training. The other options (4-year private colleges, state universities, and high schools) are not mentioned in this context.

Question 16

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.
Physical Continuity and Change

Question 17

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 18

Sexual activity reaches a peak for women at about age 40, but men reach this peak about 20 years earlier, at age 20.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Sexual activity does not have a peak age for either men or women, as it varies greatly among individuals and can be affected by a variety of factors such as relationships, health, and personal preferences.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that middle-aged individuals are more likely to hold positions of power and decision-making roles in government, corporations, and society. However, this is not an absolute rule and there are exceptions.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

The climacteric refers to the period of life when reproductive function begins to decline in both men and women. While men may experience symptoms such as decreased libido and energy levels during this time, they do not undergo menopause, which is the cessation of menstrual periods and marks the end of fertility in women.

Quiz 14: Middle Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development