Question 1

What has research discovered concerning the personality among elderly people?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that the personality of the elderly is similar to the personality shown in middle age, with some decrease in neuroticism and extraversion. They also tend to be more stable in their personality traits compared to younger individuals. However, there is variability among individuals, and some may experience increased depression and anxiety. Overall, elderly individuals do not have a homogeneous personality, and individual differences must be considered.

Question 2

Which of the following is most accurate as to the rate of affective disorders in younger vs. older Americans?

Accepted Answer

Affective disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are generally more prevalent in younger adults compared to older adults.

Question 3

The rates for completed suicide among the elderly

Accepted Answer

Rates for completed suicide among the elderly are the highest of any age group. Research has shown that factors such as social isolation, loneliness, health problems, and financial difficulties may contribute to the higher rates of suicide in this population.

Question 4

You are a psychologist assigned to assess older individuals in a community centre. Given the research you will be looking for predictors of psychological well-being such as

Accepted Answer

Positive relationships have consistently been found to be a predictor of psychological well-being in older adults. Erikson's concept of integrity may be relevant to assessing psychological well-being in older adults, but it is not a specific predictor. Comfort with living alone may be important to assess for overall quality of life, but it is not directly linked to psychological well-being.

Question 5

How are estrogen levels during menopause related to depression?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How are estrogen levels during menopause related...

Question 6

What element is important in both the Bowlby and Kubler-Ross models of bereavement?

Accepted Answer

Both Bowlby and Kubler-Ross include anger as a stage in their models of bereavement.

Question 7

After reviewing the literature on the model of bereavement proposed by Kubler-Ross, what would researchers conclude about the validity of the model?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that many people do not go through the stages in the sequence proposed by Kubler-Ross, and some show no signs of any of the stages. Additionally, some studies have found that the stages do not apply to all cultures or individuals, and there may be other stages of grief that were not included in Kubler-Ross's model.

Question 8

Your friend has been having some psychological problems, and he tells you that he and his wife are seeing a couples therapist. You are surprised that he is receiving couples therapy, since he is the one with problems. When you ask your psychology professor about this, she explains that

Accepted Answer

Couples therapy can address individual problems by improving communication, addressing conflict, and promoting intimacy and support between partners. Successful couples therapy can remove the cause of an individual spouse's problem by treating issues related to the couple as a unit, rather than solely focusing on one person's individual issues.

Question 9

What conclusion was drawn by the authors about the case of Mrs. J, who had great difficulty accepting her loss? He husband had died in a nursing home that Mrs. J. believed to be inadequate. She was referred because of her anger over this and her inability to stop thinking about it.

Accepted Answer

The authors concluded that Mrs. J's reaction was normal grieving, rather than an indication of pathological depression or OCD.

Question 10

What is bereavement?

Accepted Answer

Bereavement refers specifically to the grief experienced after the death of a loved one.

Question 11

The textbook suggests that if you had a patient who just lost a loved one you would be most concerned about an adverse reaction if

Accepted Answer

Losing a child is often considered one of the most devastating losses and can lead to severe emotional distress, making it a significant concern for adverse reactions.

Question 12

Pallagio's husband died at age 70. For the next year, she finds herself thinking about him constantly. Every night she talks out loud to his photo. How would a clinical psychologist describe these behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Pallagio's behaviors are consistent with a normal part of the grieving process. It is common for individuals to continue to think about and talk to their deceased loved ones for a period of time after their death.

Question 13

Which of the following individuals is most likely to suffer from osteoporosis?

Accepted Answer

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become fragile and brittle with age, and is more common in women than in men. Therefore, the individual most likely to suffer from osteoporosis is Betty, who is 71 years old.

Question 14

Which is one of the reasons that older people have fewer friendships?

Accepted Answer

Older people may become more selective in their companions, preferring quality over quantity in their friendships. They may have also lost some friends due to death or relocation. Age-related decline in physical and cognitive functioning and reduced mobility may also limit opportunities for social connection.

Question 15

The cessation of menstruation is called

Accepted Answer

Menopause is a natural biological process experienced by women in their 40s or 50s where there is a permanent cessation of menstruation, marking the end of the reproductive years. Menarche refers to the onset of menstruation in young girls, moratorium refers to a period of delay or postponement, and maturation refers to the process of becoming fully developed or grown.

Question 16

Hormone (estrogen) replacement therapy during menopause is effective for reducing

Accepted Answer

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause can be effective for reducing physical symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. However, studies have shown that HRT may actually increase the risk of certain cancers and other health problems, so it is important for women to talk to their doctors about the potential risks and benefits before starting this treatment. HRT is not effective for reducing infertility or cancer risk, and while it may help to reduce some symptoms of depression in certain women, it is not typically used as a primary treatment for this condition.

Question 17

An epidemiologist has received a grant to survey the elderly population to determine the prevalence of mental disorders. Based on existing research, which disorder would you predict has the highest prevalence among the elderly?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive disorders, such as dementia, are more prevalent among the elderly compared to other mental disorders like anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia.

Question 18

A specific form of grieving in response to the death of a loved one is known as

Accepted Answer

Bereavement specifically refers to the process of grieving after the death of a loved one. While grieving, loss, and reactive depression are all related to the experience of losing a loved one, bereavement is the most specific term for this process.

Question 19

The multidisciplinary study of aging is known as

Accepted Answer

Gerontology is the study of aging from a multidisciplinary perspective, incorporating fields such as psychology, biology, sociology, and economics. Ageism refers to prejudice and discrimination against older adults, while moratorium studies and life-cycle studies are not specific to the study of aging.

Question 20

Ageism refers to

Accepted Answer

Ageism refers to prejudice or discrimination against people based on their age, particularly against older individuals. It is a negative bias based solely on age and can limit opportunities, perpetuate stereotypes, and harm the well-being of older individuals.

Quiz 17: Adjustment Disorders and Life-Cycle Transitions