Question 1

Which student is using selective optimization with compensation?
A) Jacob, who allots special time to studying his most difficult courses, and works especially hard in his major where good grades matter most
B) Jorma, who selects only the easiest courses, doesn't study especially hard, and still manages to get a relatively high grade
C) Jarmila, who is so optimistic that she doesn't feel she has to study very much
D) Jill, who enrolls in the most difficult classes and then overcompensates by working around the clock

Accepted Answer

Jacob is using selective optimization with compensation by allocating special time to studying his most difficult courses and working especially hard in his major where good grades matter most. This approach involves choosing specific areas to focus on and putting in extra effort to compensate for any limitations.

Question 2

The following is the BEST bottom line conclusion about age and creativity.
A) Exceptionally creative people can still be highly creative at 70 or even 95.
B) Creativity declines after youth.
C) Creativity rises after midlife.
D) Creativity follows a u-shaped curve.

Accepted Answer

Research and anecdotal evidence show that many individuals maintain or even enhance their creativity into advanced age, disproving the notion that creativity necessarily declines with age.

Question 3

Which of the following predicts earlier-than-normal age-related cognitive losses?
A) being single
B) having a routine job that requires regular interaction with people
C) engaging in regular exercise
D) having a high allostatic load

Accepted Answer

A high allostatic load, which reflects chronic stress on the body over time, has been linked to earlier cognitive decline in aging adults. Being single, having a routine job that requires regular interaction with people, and engaging in regular exercise are not necessarily predictive of earlier age-related cognitive losses.

Question 4

After being given a series of tests by his physician, a 50-year-old gets a summary score ranking him at the 90th percentile, health-wise, for his age. What is a legitimate conclusion?
A) The measure tapped allostatic load.
B) This person's cognitive performance has declined more than the average adult his age.
C) This person is not taking care of his health.
D) This person has a job that requires little interaction with others.

Accepted Answer

The 90th percentile ranking indicates that the individual is healthier than 90% of his peers, suggesting a low allostatic load, which is a measure of the cumulative burden of chronic stress and life events on the body's systems.

Question 5

Diana has been offered a terrific job in another state, but she is ambivalent about uprooting her family. Which type of thinking does NOT involve wisdom?
A) realizing that there may be "no right answer," so any decision will be a judgment call
B) thinking through the consequences of the move from the perspective of her husband and children
C) getting input from other people, because she knows she doesn't have all the answers in life
D) making a firm decision

Accepted Answer

Making a firm decision can involve wisdom, but it is not the type of thinking that specifically involves wisdom in this scenario. The other three options involve considering different perspectives, acknowledging uncertainty, and seeking input from others, all of which are important aspects of wise thinking.

Question 6

Which man is showing wisdom?
A) Marlo, who tries to make decisions from everyone's perspective
B) Maney, who has very strong points of view
C) Mark, who feels men should be the boss
D) Meda, who believes that everyone gets what they deserve

Accepted Answer

Marlo is showing wisdom by trying to consider everyone's perspective, which indicates a willingness to be thoughtful and open-minded. The other three options demonstrate rigidity in thinking or judgment.

Question 7

If his goal is to stay intellectually sharp as he ages, Joe should NOT consider which career?
A) nursing
B) teaching
C) journalism
D) long-distance truck driving

Accepted Answer

Long-distance truck driving is less likely to provide the consistent mental stimulation and social interaction found in nursing, teaching, and journalism, which are crucial for staying intellectually sharp.

Question 8

A middle-aged colleague asks, "How can I remain mentally sharp as I age?" Based on the text, which is NOT a helpful suggestion?
A) "Stay physically fit."
B) "Stay passionate about learning new things."
C) "Get involved in challenging situations with people."
D) "Do lots of crossword puzzles."

Accepted Answer

While doing crossword puzzles can be a fun activity and improve word recall, it is not the most helpful suggestion for remaining mentally sharp as you age. It is important to engage in a variety of activities that challenge the brain, including social interactions, physical exercise, and learning new skills.

Question 9

Juanita is thrilled to be taking human development next semester from Dr. Ada, who won the "best teacher award" 5 years ago, but she is worried as this terrific teacher is now age 68. Having read this chapter, what should a friend suggest?
A) "Go for it-crystallized skills begins to decline in later life."
B) "Give it a shot-Dr. Ada should still be great, provided he doesn't have a serious illness."
C) "Terrible idea-crystallized skills sharply decline by the mid-sixties."
D) "Terrible idea-college teaching depends mainly on fluid skills."

Accepted Answer

While fluid intelligence may decline with age, crystallized intelligence, which includes accumulated knowledge and skills, tends to remain stable or even improve. Given that Dr. Ada won the "best teacher award" five years ago, it's likely that he has a wealth of experience and knowledge to bring to the classroom. As long as he is physically and mentally healthy, there's no reason to assume that he wouldn't still be an effective teacher at age 68.

Question 10

The author of this textbook is MOST likely to be at her professional peak in her _____.
A) forties
B) fifties
C) sixties, unless she gets ill
D) seventies, unless she gets ill

Accepted Answer

The answer of The author of this textbook is MOST...

Question 11

Hank is an avid reader. As he reaches his seventies, however, it is hard for him to stay awake as he reads, especially at night. Which approach SPECIFICALLY involves using compensation?
A) deciding to read during the morning when Hank tends to be most alert
B) cutting down on other activities that are less vital in Hank's life
C) buying books on tape as a backup for the times when reading is too difficult
D) reading complex books to stretch his skills

Accepted Answer

Buying books on tape is a form of compensation, as it allows Hank to continue enjoying books even when reading becomes too difficult at night. Options A, B, and D are examples of different coping strategies, but they do not involve compensation specifically.

Question 12

Bolin is a teacher who finds his job very stimulating. Irwin, his childhood buddy, has never found his vocational niche and stocks grocery store shelves for a living. As these friends move into middle age, what is MOST likely to happen?
A) Both men will decline cognitively.
B) Bolin should become more mentally flexible; Irwin will cognitively decline.
C) Both men will become more mentally flexible.
D) Predictions are impossible.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that individuals who engage in mentally stimulating work are more likely to maintain cognitive flexibility and function as they age. Bolin's job as a teacher provides him with mental stimulation, which can improve his cognitive ability over time. On the other hand, individuals in jobs with lower cognitive demand, like Irwin's job as a grocery store stocker, may experience cognitive decline with age. Therefore, it is likely that Bolin will become more mentally flexible, while Irwin may cognitively decline.

Question 13

Colum's friend asks which teacher to take for his class in human development. Given the research on creativity and careers, Colum should recommend a professor:
A) in his seventies (who is still healthy), with a reputation for outstanding teaching.
B) in her forties, who is a fairly good teacher.
C) in his late twenties, who is supposed to be an excellent teacher.
D) who is a well-known researcher, but who hasn't taught much.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that creativity can peak in later years, and experience often enhances teaching quality. A teacher in their seventies with a reputation for outstanding teaching likely combines deep knowledge with the ability to inspire and engage students effectively.

Question 14

In taking this chapter test, which item will MOST likely elicit wise thinking?
A) embracing different ways of conceptualizing wisdom
B) remembering the list of qualities involved in wisdom
C) defining wisdom on Wikipedia
D) answering multiple-choice items to pick out wisdom

Accepted Answer

Embracing different ways of conceptualizing wisdom requires an open-minded and flexible approach, which is a key aspect of wise thinking. The other options, such as memorizing a list or answering multiple-choice items, do not necessarily require wise thinking. Defining wisdom on Wikipedia may provide information, but it does not necessarily promote wise thinking.

Question 15

Fifty-seven-year-old Tracey's passion is learning French, but she understands that it will be a lot harder to learn a new language at her age. Based on Baltes's principles of selective optimization with compensation, Tracey should employ which of the following strategies?
A) Focus just on learning the simplest French words.
B) Spend less time to studying French.
C) Bring along a dictionary as a backup in case she forgets French words.
D) Focus on learning how to read French.

Accepted Answer

Baltes's principles of selective optimization with compensation suggest that as individuals age, they should focus on the most important tasks and use compensation strategies to make up for any deficits. In Tracey's case, bringing along a dictionary as a backup in case she forgets French words is a compensation strategy that would allow her to continue learning French despite potential memory difficulties. The other options (A, B, and D) do not address the issue of compensation or selective optimization and may not be effective strategies for learning a new language at an older age.

Question 16

Which midlife adult is at SPECIAL risk of declining cognitively?
A) Clark, who hasn't taken care of his body
B) Pia, who began exercising last year
C) Koshiro, who is having more trouble doing things quickly
D) Brianna, whose ability to multitask is not as good as it was 10 years earlier

Accepted Answer

Clark's lack of care for his body can lead to health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity which are risk factors for cognitive decline.

Question 17

Hank is an avid reader. As he reaches his seventies, however, it is hard for him to stay awake as he reads, especially at night. Which approach SPECIFICALLY involves using selection?
A) deciding to read during the morning when Hank tends to be most alert
B) cutting down on other activities that are less vital in Hank's life
C) buying books on tape as a backup for the times when reading is too difficult
D) reading complex books to stretch his skills

Accepted Answer

The answer of Hank is an avid reader. As he...

Question 18

To predict which twenty-something aspiring screen writer is likely to win an Oscar at fifty, which is the MOST relevant question to ask?
A) How creative is this person now?
B) Where did this person go to school?
C) Is this person female or male?
D) Is this person wealthy or not?

Accepted Answer

The level of creativity currently possessed by the aspiring screenwriter is the most relevant factor in predicting their future success in winning an Oscar. This indicates an aptitude for storytelling and the ability to develop unique and captivating content, which are essential qualities for success in the film industry.

Question 19

Which topic is LEAST likely to elicit wise thinking?
A) reasoning about something in which you are highly personally involved
B) reasoning about abstract intellectual questions
C) reasoning about another person's life
D) reasoning about a subject that has little relevance to your life

Accepted Answer

When we are personally involved in a situation, it can be difficult to detach ourselves from our emotions and biases, making it less likely to engage in wise thinking.

Question 20

Which person is NOT at risk of declining cognitively during midlife?
A) Clark, who hasn't taken care of his body
B) Pia, who has exercised regularly since her twenties
C) Koshiro, who works at an easy, routine job
D) Brianna, whose ability to multitask is not as good as it was 10 years earlier

Accepted Answer

Regular exercise has been shown to have a protective effect on cognitive function, potentially reducing the risk of cognitive decline during midlife.

Quiz 12: Midlife

Which student is using selective optimization with compensation?

The following is the BEST bottom line conclusion about age and creativity.

Which of the following predicts earlier-than-normal age-related cognitive losses?

After being given a series of tests by his physician, a 50-year-old gets a summary score ranking him at the 90th percentile, health-wise, for his age. What is a legitimate conclusion?

Diana has been offered a terrific job in another state, but she is ambivalent about uprooting her family. Which type of thinking does NOT involve wisdom?

Which man is showing wisdom?

If his goal is to stay intellectually sharp as he ages, Joe should NOT consider which career?

A middle-aged colleague asks, "How can I remain mentally sharp as I age?" Based on the text, which is NOT a helpful suggestion?

Juanita is thrilled to be taking human development next semester from Dr. Ada, who won the "best teacher award" 5 years ago, but she is worried as this terrific teacher is now age 68. Having read this chapter, what should a friend suggest?

The author of this textbook is MOST likely to be at her professional peak in her _____.

Hank is an avid reader. As he reaches his seventies, however, it is hard for him to stay awake as he reads, especially at night. Which approach SPECIFICALLY involves using compensation?

Bolin is a teacher who finds his job very stimulating. Irwin, his childhood buddy, has never found his vocational niche and stocks grocery store shelves for a living. As these friends move into middle age, what is MOST likely to happen?

Colum's friend asks which teacher to take for his class in human development. Given the research on creativity and careers, Colum should recommend a professor:

In taking this chapter test, which item will MOST likely elicit wise thinking?

Fifty-seven-year-old Tracey's passion is learning French, but she understands that it will be a lot harder to learn a new language at her age. Based on Baltes's principles of selective optimization with compensation, Tracey should employ which of the following strategies?

Which midlife adult is at SPECIAL risk of declining cognitively?

Hank is an avid reader. As he reaches his seventies, however, it is hard for him to stay awake as he reads, especially at night. Which approach SPECIFICALLY involves using selection?

To predict which twenty-something aspiring screen writer is likely to win an Oscar at fifty, which is the MOST relevant question to ask?

Which topic is LEAST likely to elicit wise thinking?

Which person is NOT at risk of declining cognitively during midlife?