Question 1

The idea that people become more different from each other as they grow older is known as the principle that:

Accepted Answer

The principle that people become more different from each other as they grow older is known as the principle of individuality. This means that as people age, they become more unique and individualized in their experiences, skills, and personalities.

Question 2

According to the continuity principle of adult development and aging, the experiences you have as a young adult will play what role in your development?

Accepted Answer

The continuity principle of adult development and aging suggests that individuals maintain their personal identity and basic patterns of behavior as they age, despite changes in physical appearance and possibly other aspects of their condition. This principle emphasizes the idea that the core aspects of one's identity and personality remain consistent over time.

Question 3

Of the following areas of aging, which would be considered a "biological" component of the biopsychosocial model?

Accepted Answer

Changes in muscle mass are a physical and physiological aspect of aging that falls under the biological component of the biopsychosocial model.

Question 4

75-year-old Mrs. A. has difficulty with her vision due to cataracts but her friend Mrs. B., also 75, can see perfectly. However, Mrs. B.'s arthritis makes it difficult for her to walk while Mrs. A. recently ran a senior marathon. This example illustrates which principle of adult development and aging?

Accepted Answer

This example illustrates the principle of interindividual differences, as it shows how two individuals of the same age experience different strengths and challenges based on their particular life circumstances, genetics, and environment. It also implies that there is no single "normal" aging trajectory that applies to everyone, as people age differently depending on various factors. However, it does not necessarily address the other principles listed.

Question 5

The Public Health Agency of Canada (2013) regards which of the following as one of the five most important "bad habits" that can reduce the quality and quantity of a person's life?

Accepted Answer

The Public Health Agency of Canada lists cigarette smoking as one of the five most important "bad habits" that can reduce the quality and quantity of a person's life.

Question 6

The term __________ captures the concept that aging involves an interaction among processes such as physical changes, cognition, and social context:

Accepted Answer

The term biopsychosocial captures the idea that aging is a complex process that involves interactions among biological, psychological, and social factors. This approach recognizes that aging is not simply a result of biological changes, but is also influenced by cognitive and social factors, such as lifestyle choices, personal relationships, and cultural context. This perspective emphasizes the importance of considering multiple factors when studying aging and developing interventions to support successful aging.

Question 7

The idea there are differences within the individual in the rate of aging is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The idea there are differences within the...

Question 8

Researchers studying the volume of the hippocampus within the brain showed the importance of examining individual differences in aging by finding that:

Accepted Answer

The research showed that at least some older adults had equal or higher brain volume than some young adults, emphasizing the importance of examining individual differences in aging. This contradicts the common assumption that brain volume decreases uniformly with age. Options A and B are incorrect because the study did not show that most adults 70 and older had greater hippocampal volume than younger adults or that the overall direction of hippocampal volume change was positive. Option D is incorrect because the study did not find that the greatest variation in hippocampal volume occurred among adults in their late 20s.

Question 9

Which of the following would be considered a "social" age-related factor in the biopsychosocial perspective?

Accepted Answer

Becoming a grandparent is a social age-related factor because it involves a change in social roles and relationships within the family and community. The other choices are either psychological (wisdom, conscientiousness) or physiological (muscle strength) factors.

Question 10

A 77-year-old man has loved to jog for his entire life, and he is still able to keep up a pretty good pace. However, he is suffering hearing loss which makes it difficult for him to enjoy the music he likes to play while out on his run. In addition, he's noticing that it's getting harder for him to see the street signs unless the sun is brightly shining. This man illustrates which principle of aging?

Accepted Answer

Multidirectionality in aging refers to the concept that different aspects of a person's abilities or functions can change in different directions as they age. In this case, the man's physical ability to jog remains strong, indicating some aspects of his physical health are well-preserved, while his hearing and vision are declining, illustrating the multidirectional nature of aging processes.

Question 11

Which of the following would be considered an example of "normal" age-related psychological changes?

Accepted Answer

Moderation of personal qualities is considered a normal psychological change with age, as individuals often become more balanced or moderate in their outlook and behavior.

Question 12

Changes due to normal aging include which type of processes?

Accepted Answer

Normal aging refers to the universal and progressive changes that occur in the body, such as gradual declines in sensory and cognitive functions, changes in physical appearance, and increased susceptibility to age-related diseases. Abnormal and disease-related processes, sudden and rapid changes, and preventative and compensatory processes may also occur in aging, but they are not necessarily part of the normal aging process.

Question 13

Research on adaptation to aging suggests that the most important factor determining your health, happiness, and longevity may very well be your ______ age.

Accepted Answer

Subjective age refers to how old or young individuals feel compared to their actual chronological age, and research has shown that feeling younger than one's actual age can have positive effects on health, happiness, and longevity.

Question 14

Changes over time in an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as they cope with the physical changes involved in aging fall into which domain of the biopsychosocial perspective toward aging?

Accepted Answer

The changes over time in an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as they cope with the physical changes involved in aging fall into the psychological domain of the biopsychosocial perspective toward aging. This domain focuses on mental and emotional aspects of aging, including cognitive and emotional changes, life transitions, and coping mechanisms. The biological domain focuses on physical changes, while the sociocultural domain focuses on the impact of social and cultural factors on aging. Gerontological is not a recognized domain in the biopsychosocial perspective; instead, it refers to the study of aging and older adults.

Question 15

Because the _____________ are the individuals we study in later life, researchers caution that the findings may not be true for everyone born in a given period of time.

Accepted Answer

Survivors are the individuals who have lived to an older age and are therefore the focus of later-life studies. However, these individuals may not be representative of everyone who was born during the same period of time, as some may have passed away or may not have survived to old age due to various factors.

Question 16

The changes that individuals experience in income and residence when they retire and move out of the home where they spent their working lives would fall into the ____________ domain of the biopsychosocial model.

Accepted Answer

Sociocultural domain refers to the impact of social and cultural factors on an individual's life. Retirement and moving out of the family home are significant events that can affect an individual's social environment and relationships, making this a sociocultural domain issue.

Question 17

How does the fact that older adults are survivors influence research on aging?

Accepted Answer

The fact that older adults are survivors means that the available samples for research on aging are positively selected on important characteristics, such as good health and resilient personality traits. Therefore, researchers need to be cautious in generalizing their findings to the entire population of older adults, who may not have the same advantages.

Question 18

The rapid loss of functioning that individuals may experience at the very end of their lives is known as _________ aging:

Accepted Answer

Tertiary aging, also known as terminal decline or senescence, refers to the rapid loss of functioning that individuals may experience at the very end of their lives. This includes physical, cognitive, and emotional decline, and is often associated with the final stages of chronic illness or disease. Primary aging refers to the gradual, normal aging process that occurs throughout adulthood, while accelerated aging refers to a faster than normal decline in functioning due to factors such as disease or lifestyle choices. Normal aging simply refers to the typical changes that occur as we age.

Question 19

The ________________ principle of adult development and aging proposes that changes build on themselves over life in a cumulative fashion.

Accepted Answer

The continuity principle suggests that changes in development and aging are gradual and cumulative, building on previous experiences and capacities. This principle holds that as individuals age, they continue to develop in the same ways that they did throughout their lives, using the same mechanisms that have affected their development since early childhood. The principle of continuity contrasts with the discontinuity principle, which suggests that development and aging are marked by abrupt transitions that divide lifespan into distinct stages or periods. The continuity principle is supported by research in various fields of human development, including psychology, sociology, and biology.

Question 20

Which of the following might account for the fact that the people who live to old age are the "survivors"?

Accepted Answer

The fact that people who live to old age are "survivors" suggests that they may have faced challenges or adversity throughout their life, and having a strong support network such as family can contribute to their ability to overcome those challenges and reach old age. A and D are unlikely to contribute positively to longevity, while C suggests taking high risks, which may lead to premature death rather than a long life.

Quiz 1: Themes and Issues in Adult Development and Aging