PSYC 140 Module 8 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology
Exam Q&A | Portage Learning
1. According to the module, late adulthood begins in approximately which decade of life?
A) 40s
B) 50s
C) 60s
D) 70s
Correct Answer: 60s
Rationale: Late adulthood is generally defined as beginning in the 60s, a period marked
by significant physical, cognitive, and social changes. While definitions can vary, the 60s
is the standard decade for the onset of this final developmental stage.
2. Which of the following best defines primary aging?
A) Aging caused by lifestyle choices and environmental factors
B) Biological and genetically influenced aging that is unavoidable
C) Aging that results from disease processes
D) Aging that can be completely reversed with medical intervention
Correct Answer: Biological and genetically influenced aging that is unavoidable
Rationale: Primary aging refers to the biological and genetically influenced changes
that occur as a natural part of aging, which are unavoidable. In contrast, secondary aging
is caused by lifestyle and environmental factors and is potentially modifiable.
3. Which of the following best defines secondary aging?
A) Biological aging caused by genes
B) Aging that is unavoidable
,C) Aging that results from disease, lifestyle, and environmental factors
D) Aging that occurs only after age 80
Correct Answer: Aging that results from disease, lifestyle, and environmental factors
Rationale: Secondary aging refers to changes that are not universal but are caused by
disease, lifestyle choices (like diet and exercise), and environmental factors. Unlike
primary aging, these changes are often preventable or modifiable.
4. True or false: If you live long enough, you will eventually develop a neurocognitive
disorder.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Neurocognitive disorders, including dementia, are NOT a normal part of
aging. While the risk of developing such disorders increases with age, most older adults
do not develop dementia. It is not an inevitable outcome of growing old.
5. Which of the following is a symptom that may indicate memory loss greater than
normal aging?
A) Occasionally forgetting a person's name
B) Having difficulty getting to a location visited many times before
C) Misplacing keys once a month
D) Forgetting what day of the week it is occasionally
Correct Answer: Having difficulty getting to a location visited many times before
,Rationale: Difficulty navigating to a familiar location and losing track of time or dates
are signs of memory loss that go beyond normal aging. Occasional forgetfulness, like
misplacing keys or forgetting a name, is a common age-related change.
6. Which socioemotional theory of aging suggests that older adults should remain as
active as possible?
A) Disengagement theory
B) Activity theory
C) Selective Optimization with Compensation theory
D) Socioemotional Selectivity theory
Correct Answer: Activity theory
Rationale: Activity theory proposes that successful aging involves staying mentally,
physically, and socially active. It suggests that older adults are happier and better
adjusted when they maintain the activities and social roles of middle age.
7. Which socioemotional theory of aging is best reflected by the viewpoint, "It's all
downhill after 75!"?
A) Disengagement theory
B) Activity theory
C) Selective Optimization with Compensation
D) Life events model
Correct Answer: Disengagement theory
Rationale: Disengagement theory posits that aging involves a mutual withdrawal
between the individual and society. The belief that life deteriorates after a certain age
and the act of withdrawing from social activities aligns with the core tenets of this
theory.
8. According to the module, most doctors today define death as occurring when:
, A) The heart and lungs have ceased to function
B) Brain death has occurred
C) The individual stops breathing
D) There is no response to painful stimuli
Correct Answer: Brain death has occurred
Rationale: While the historical definition of death was the cessation of heart and lung
function, most doctors today define death as brain death. This is the irreversible
cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brainstem.
9. In Kübler-Ross's stage theory, which stage is characterized by irritability, frustration,
and feelings of "Why me?"
A) Denial
B) Anger
C) Bargaining
D) Depression
Correct Answer: Anger
Rationale: According to Kübler-Ross, the second stage of grief is anger. This stage is
characterized by irritability, frustration, and resentment. The individual may ask "Why
me?" and direct their anger at others, a higher power, or the situation itself.
10. Which of the following is the best summary of Activity theory?
A) Older adults should cut back on all strenuous activities
B) Older adults should remain as active as possible
C) It is not important to consider how active older adults should be
D) Older adults should remain active, but be wise in choosing safe activities they can
engage in long-term
Exam Q&A | Portage Learning
1. According to the module, late adulthood begins in approximately which decade of life?
A) 40s
B) 50s
C) 60s
D) 70s
Correct Answer: 60s
Rationale: Late adulthood is generally defined as beginning in the 60s, a period marked
by significant physical, cognitive, and social changes. While definitions can vary, the 60s
is the standard decade for the onset of this final developmental stage.
2. Which of the following best defines primary aging?
A) Aging caused by lifestyle choices and environmental factors
B) Biological and genetically influenced aging that is unavoidable
C) Aging that results from disease processes
D) Aging that can be completely reversed with medical intervention
Correct Answer: Biological and genetically influenced aging that is unavoidable
Rationale: Primary aging refers to the biological and genetically influenced changes
that occur as a natural part of aging, which are unavoidable. In contrast, secondary aging
is caused by lifestyle and environmental factors and is potentially modifiable.
3. Which of the following best defines secondary aging?
A) Biological aging caused by genes
B) Aging that is unavoidable
,C) Aging that results from disease, lifestyle, and environmental factors
D) Aging that occurs only after age 80
Correct Answer: Aging that results from disease, lifestyle, and environmental factors
Rationale: Secondary aging refers to changes that are not universal but are caused by
disease, lifestyle choices (like diet and exercise), and environmental factors. Unlike
primary aging, these changes are often preventable or modifiable.
4. True or false: If you live long enough, you will eventually develop a neurocognitive
disorder.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Neurocognitive disorders, including dementia, are NOT a normal part of
aging. While the risk of developing such disorders increases with age, most older adults
do not develop dementia. It is not an inevitable outcome of growing old.
5. Which of the following is a symptom that may indicate memory loss greater than
normal aging?
A) Occasionally forgetting a person's name
B) Having difficulty getting to a location visited many times before
C) Misplacing keys once a month
D) Forgetting what day of the week it is occasionally
Correct Answer: Having difficulty getting to a location visited many times before
,Rationale: Difficulty navigating to a familiar location and losing track of time or dates
are signs of memory loss that go beyond normal aging. Occasional forgetfulness, like
misplacing keys or forgetting a name, is a common age-related change.
6. Which socioemotional theory of aging suggests that older adults should remain as
active as possible?
A) Disengagement theory
B) Activity theory
C) Selective Optimization with Compensation theory
D) Socioemotional Selectivity theory
Correct Answer: Activity theory
Rationale: Activity theory proposes that successful aging involves staying mentally,
physically, and socially active. It suggests that older adults are happier and better
adjusted when they maintain the activities and social roles of middle age.
7. Which socioemotional theory of aging is best reflected by the viewpoint, "It's all
downhill after 75!"?
A) Disengagement theory
B) Activity theory
C) Selective Optimization with Compensation
D) Life events model
Correct Answer: Disengagement theory
Rationale: Disengagement theory posits that aging involves a mutual withdrawal
between the individual and society. The belief that life deteriorates after a certain age
and the act of withdrawing from social activities aligns with the core tenets of this
theory.
8. According to the module, most doctors today define death as occurring when:
, A) The heart and lungs have ceased to function
B) Brain death has occurred
C) The individual stops breathing
D) There is no response to painful stimuli
Correct Answer: Brain death has occurred
Rationale: While the historical definition of death was the cessation of heart and lung
function, most doctors today define death as brain death. This is the irreversible
cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brainstem.
9. In Kübler-Ross's stage theory, which stage is characterized by irritability, frustration,
and feelings of "Why me?"
A) Denial
B) Anger
C) Bargaining
D) Depression
Correct Answer: Anger
Rationale: According to Kübler-Ross, the second stage of grief is anger. This stage is
characterized by irritability, frustration, and resentment. The individual may ask "Why
me?" and direct their anger at others, a higher power, or the situation itself.
10. Which of the following is the best summary of Activity theory?
A) Older adults should cut back on all strenuous activities
B) Older adults should remain as active as possible
C) It is not important to consider how active older adults should be
D) Older adults should remain active, but be wise in choosing safe activities they can
engage in long-term
