PSYCH 140: MODULE 8 EXAM QUESTION WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
late adulthood - CORRECT ANSWERS -begins in one's
60's
can be the longest age grouping in one's life
Do most older adults develop dementia? - CORRECT ANSWERS -No. Some adults describe
memory lapses as "senior moments" or "senility." Professionals now use the terms "dementia"
or "neurocognitive disorder" to describe the loss of cognitive abilities due to a physical reason
such as Alzheimer's Disease or stroke. It is not typical for an older adult, or anyone, to have a
neurocognitive disorder. This is not a normal part of aging. Neurocognitive disorders can be
caused by various diseases, severe drug/alcohol abuse, stroke, or progressive deterioration
caused by a variety of factors (as is likely the case with Alzheimer's Disease, to be discussed
later). Neurocognitive disorders are extremely rare prior to age 60. Only a small percentage of
65-75 year-olds have a neurocognitive disorder. However, this number increases with age so
that approximately 50% of individuals 85 and older have a neurocognitive disorder.
Why do women typically outlive men? - CORRECT ANSWERS -Partly genetics, but it is
particularly environmental
men are more likely to engage in risky behaviors and be less vigilant about their overall health
Are memory problems inevitable as we get older? - CORRECT ANSWERS -There are certainly
cognitive changes that occur as adults age. One typical change is that elders have trouble
remembering the precise source of information. For example, after telling a story for many
years, an elder might forget that the story was based on an event that happened to someone
else rather than himself. However, as mentioned earlier, neurocognitive disorders and dementia
are not a typical part of aging.
, Do most older adults need to live in a nursing home? - CORRECT ANSWERS -No. Most elders are
able to care for themselves and are able to carry on their normal activities.
Elders who are physically unwell are more likely to have cognitive impairments or mobility
issues and may need long-term care.
primary aging - CORRECT ANSWERS -is genetically influenced and thought to be unavoidable
secondary aging - CORRECT ANSWERS -aging that is not inevitable. It is a result of choices that
we make and environmental exposures (smoking and sun exposure)
"wear and tear" theory - CORRECT ANSWERS -time and exertion is the enemy. As we get older,
we simply wear out
this theory has many holes in it
it only focuses on secondary aging
activity is more important
genetic theories for aging - CORRECT ANSWERS -specific genes seem to be at least partly
responsible for longevity as well as the age at which noticeable changes occur in aging
cumulative effects that damage DNA, resulting in aging
biological theories - CORRECT ANSWERS -cellular theories
free radical theory
programmed cell death theories
cellular theory of aging - CORRECT ANSWERS -we age because our cells age, and then they
senescence and no longer divide
then, we have trouble responding to injury, illness, and stress
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
late adulthood - CORRECT ANSWERS -begins in one's
60's
can be the longest age grouping in one's life
Do most older adults develop dementia? - CORRECT ANSWERS -No. Some adults describe
memory lapses as "senior moments" or "senility." Professionals now use the terms "dementia"
or "neurocognitive disorder" to describe the loss of cognitive abilities due to a physical reason
such as Alzheimer's Disease or stroke. It is not typical for an older adult, or anyone, to have a
neurocognitive disorder. This is not a normal part of aging. Neurocognitive disorders can be
caused by various diseases, severe drug/alcohol abuse, stroke, or progressive deterioration
caused by a variety of factors (as is likely the case with Alzheimer's Disease, to be discussed
later). Neurocognitive disorders are extremely rare prior to age 60. Only a small percentage of
65-75 year-olds have a neurocognitive disorder. However, this number increases with age so
that approximately 50% of individuals 85 and older have a neurocognitive disorder.
Why do women typically outlive men? - CORRECT ANSWERS -Partly genetics, but it is
particularly environmental
men are more likely to engage in risky behaviors and be less vigilant about their overall health
Are memory problems inevitable as we get older? - CORRECT ANSWERS -There are certainly
cognitive changes that occur as adults age. One typical change is that elders have trouble
remembering the precise source of information. For example, after telling a story for many
years, an elder might forget that the story was based on an event that happened to someone
else rather than himself. However, as mentioned earlier, neurocognitive disorders and dementia
are not a typical part of aging.
, Do most older adults need to live in a nursing home? - CORRECT ANSWERS -No. Most elders are
able to care for themselves and are able to carry on their normal activities.
Elders who are physically unwell are more likely to have cognitive impairments or mobility
issues and may need long-term care.
primary aging - CORRECT ANSWERS -is genetically influenced and thought to be unavoidable
secondary aging - CORRECT ANSWERS -aging that is not inevitable. It is a result of choices that
we make and environmental exposures (smoking and sun exposure)
"wear and tear" theory - CORRECT ANSWERS -time and exertion is the enemy. As we get older,
we simply wear out
this theory has many holes in it
it only focuses on secondary aging
activity is more important
genetic theories for aging - CORRECT ANSWERS -specific genes seem to be at least partly
responsible for longevity as well as the age at which noticeable changes occur in aging
cumulative effects that damage DNA, resulting in aging
biological theories - CORRECT ANSWERS -cellular theories
free radical theory
programmed cell death theories
cellular theory of aging - CORRECT ANSWERS -we age because our cells age, and then they
senescence and no longer divide
then, we have trouble responding to injury, illness, and stress
