QUESTON OPTIONS ANSWER
Lecture 1 - Normal cognitive aging
What is the old age support ratio? A) The proportion of elderly individuals relative to the entire population. B
B) The number of working-age adults available to support each person aged 65 and older.
C) The ratio of retirees to total government spending on healthcare.
D) The difference between the birth rate and death rate in a given population.
What are the structural brain volume changes observed A) Largest volume loss in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. A
between 30 and 90? B) Largest volume loss in primary visual cortex
C) Least volume loss in prefrontal cortex
D) Largest volume loss central sulcus & calcarine sulcus
Which theory suggests that people adapt to age-related decline A. Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory D
by focusing on what they can still do well and compensating for B. Frontal Ageing Hypothesis
losses? C. STAC Model
D. Selection, Optimization, and Compensation Theory (SOC)
What percentage of older adults are estimated to experience A. About 50% B
‘successful cognitive ageing’ and ‘Normal cognitive ageing’? B. About 80%
C. About 10%
D. Over 90%
What is a major issue with cross-sectional designs in ageing A. Too time-consuming C
research? B. High dropout rates
C. Cohort effects
D. Inability to measure biological age
What is the difference between the two stage model and the Two stage model:
Erikson’s stage model in developmental psychology? Suggests that physical and psychological functions develop up to a peak,
followed by a gradual, predictable decline.
two-stage model captures a more generalized progression
Erikson’s Stage Model
A comprehensive model outlining eight distinct stages of psychosocial
development across the lifespan.
Each stage is defined by a unique conflict that must be resolved for healthy
psychological growth.
Successful resolution leads to well-being, while unresolved conflicts may
cause challenges later in life.
,What are some contextual explanations to the satisfaction Age-cohort effects: older people may report higher levels of life satisfaction
paradox of aging? because of the lower expectations of a particular generation.
The socio-emotional selectivity theory: that older people spend more time
in more activities to contribute to well-being instead of pursuing goals.
The selective optimization with compensation theory: means that during
development you gain and lose capabilities. In older adults the losses start to
outnumber the gains. High levels of well-being with ageing would require a lot.
They compensate for the loss with new strategies to keep them happy.
How are fluid intelligence and crystalized intelligence Fluid Intelligence:
influenced differently by aging? Involves the ability to reason quickly, solve novel problems, and adapt to new
situations.
Tends to decline with age as processing speed and working memory
decrease.
More sensitive to neurological changes and cognitive slowing.
Crystallized Intelligence:
Relates to accumulated knowledge, vocabulary, and skills gained from
experience and education.
Often remains stable or even improves with age, as it draws on long-term
memory and practiced abilities.
Benefits from continued learning and life experiences.
What are the four patterns of cognitive aging described by Successful aging, normal aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and
Schaie (2016)? dementia.
What is the STAC model and what does it propose? The Scaffolding Theory of Aging and Cognition. It proposes that the brain
uses compensatory mechanisms (scaffolding) to maintain cognitive function in
response to neural challenges.
how the brain responds to age-related changes E.G. shrinkage and white
matter changes by recruiting alternative neural circuits to maintain cognitive
performance.
What are some examples of 'Neural Challenges' in the STAC Shrinkage, white matter changes, cortical thinning, and dopamine depletion.
model?
What is 'selective drop-out' in longitudinal studies and why is it When participants systematically drop out of a study, often those with lower
a problem? scores or poorer health. This can skew the results and make it difficult to
generalize findings to the broader population.
, Lecture 2 - Normal cognitive ageing and brain ageing
1) Which of the following best describes the relationship A) Older adults struggle more with recognition tasks than free recall tasks. C
between aging and long-term memory retrieval? B) Free recall is generally easier for older adults because it requires fewer retrieval cues.
C) The age effect on memory is largest for free recall and smallest for recognition, as recognition
relies on full cues.
D) There is no difference in memory performance across different retrieval tasks for older and
younger adults.
Which type of memory generally shows the greatest age- A) Procedural memory C
related decline? B) Semantic memory
C) Episodic memory
D) Sensory memory
Which of the following statements best reflects the effects of A) Older adults have a smaller vocabulary than younger adults, and word comprehension B
aging on language and vocabulary? significantly declines with age.
B) Older adults generally have a larger vocabulary than younger adults, but they experience
slower word production and reading speeds.
C) Vocabulary and word production improve with age, while comprehension and reading speed
remain unaffected.
D) There is no noticeable difference in vocabulary, word production, or reading speed between
younger and older adults.
How does aging affect episodic memory, and why is the impact Incidental: encoding/learning information without expecting memory test
different for intentional and incidental encoding? Intentional: encoding/learning with knowledge that information will be
required at a later time
Age effect larger intentional than incidental encoding
REASON = Older adults use less effective encoding strategies. presenting
encoding strategies helped -> causing smaller age effect
What are the typical effects of aging on different types of Working Memory: Declines with age due to reduced processing speed and
memory, such as working memory, short-term memory, attentional control.
semantic memory, and implicit memory? Which memory Short-Term Memory: Mild decline, but generally more resilient than working
systems are most affected by age, and why? memory.
Semantic Memory: Often remains stable or even improves with age, as it
reflects accumulated knowledge.
Implicit Memory: Relatively preserved, as it involves automatic, unconscious
processes (e.g., skills and habits).
Working memory and Episodic memory are most affected:
Episodic Memory: Highly sensitive to age due to its reliance on the
hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
Working Memory: Impacted by reduced cognitive processing speed and
attentional control.
Lecture 1 - Normal cognitive aging
What is the old age support ratio? A) The proportion of elderly individuals relative to the entire population. B
B) The number of working-age adults available to support each person aged 65 and older.
C) The ratio of retirees to total government spending on healthcare.
D) The difference between the birth rate and death rate in a given population.
What are the structural brain volume changes observed A) Largest volume loss in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. A
between 30 and 90? B) Largest volume loss in primary visual cortex
C) Least volume loss in prefrontal cortex
D) Largest volume loss central sulcus & calcarine sulcus
Which theory suggests that people adapt to age-related decline A. Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory D
by focusing on what they can still do well and compensating for B. Frontal Ageing Hypothesis
losses? C. STAC Model
D. Selection, Optimization, and Compensation Theory (SOC)
What percentage of older adults are estimated to experience A. About 50% B
‘successful cognitive ageing’ and ‘Normal cognitive ageing’? B. About 80%
C. About 10%
D. Over 90%
What is a major issue with cross-sectional designs in ageing A. Too time-consuming C
research? B. High dropout rates
C. Cohort effects
D. Inability to measure biological age
What is the difference between the two stage model and the Two stage model:
Erikson’s stage model in developmental psychology? Suggests that physical and psychological functions develop up to a peak,
followed by a gradual, predictable decline.
two-stage model captures a more generalized progression
Erikson’s Stage Model
A comprehensive model outlining eight distinct stages of psychosocial
development across the lifespan.
Each stage is defined by a unique conflict that must be resolved for healthy
psychological growth.
Successful resolution leads to well-being, while unresolved conflicts may
cause challenges later in life.
,What are some contextual explanations to the satisfaction Age-cohort effects: older people may report higher levels of life satisfaction
paradox of aging? because of the lower expectations of a particular generation.
The socio-emotional selectivity theory: that older people spend more time
in more activities to contribute to well-being instead of pursuing goals.
The selective optimization with compensation theory: means that during
development you gain and lose capabilities. In older adults the losses start to
outnumber the gains. High levels of well-being with ageing would require a lot.
They compensate for the loss with new strategies to keep them happy.
How are fluid intelligence and crystalized intelligence Fluid Intelligence:
influenced differently by aging? Involves the ability to reason quickly, solve novel problems, and adapt to new
situations.
Tends to decline with age as processing speed and working memory
decrease.
More sensitive to neurological changes and cognitive slowing.
Crystallized Intelligence:
Relates to accumulated knowledge, vocabulary, and skills gained from
experience and education.
Often remains stable or even improves with age, as it draws on long-term
memory and practiced abilities.
Benefits from continued learning and life experiences.
What are the four patterns of cognitive aging described by Successful aging, normal aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and
Schaie (2016)? dementia.
What is the STAC model and what does it propose? The Scaffolding Theory of Aging and Cognition. It proposes that the brain
uses compensatory mechanisms (scaffolding) to maintain cognitive function in
response to neural challenges.
how the brain responds to age-related changes E.G. shrinkage and white
matter changes by recruiting alternative neural circuits to maintain cognitive
performance.
What are some examples of 'Neural Challenges' in the STAC Shrinkage, white matter changes, cortical thinning, and dopamine depletion.
model?
What is 'selective drop-out' in longitudinal studies and why is it When participants systematically drop out of a study, often those with lower
a problem? scores or poorer health. This can skew the results and make it difficult to
generalize findings to the broader population.
, Lecture 2 - Normal cognitive ageing and brain ageing
1) Which of the following best describes the relationship A) Older adults struggle more with recognition tasks than free recall tasks. C
between aging and long-term memory retrieval? B) Free recall is generally easier for older adults because it requires fewer retrieval cues.
C) The age effect on memory is largest for free recall and smallest for recognition, as recognition
relies on full cues.
D) There is no difference in memory performance across different retrieval tasks for older and
younger adults.
Which type of memory generally shows the greatest age- A) Procedural memory C
related decline? B) Semantic memory
C) Episodic memory
D) Sensory memory
Which of the following statements best reflects the effects of A) Older adults have a smaller vocabulary than younger adults, and word comprehension B
aging on language and vocabulary? significantly declines with age.
B) Older adults generally have a larger vocabulary than younger adults, but they experience
slower word production and reading speeds.
C) Vocabulary and word production improve with age, while comprehension and reading speed
remain unaffected.
D) There is no noticeable difference in vocabulary, word production, or reading speed between
younger and older adults.
How does aging affect episodic memory, and why is the impact Incidental: encoding/learning information without expecting memory test
different for intentional and incidental encoding? Intentional: encoding/learning with knowledge that information will be
required at a later time
Age effect larger intentional than incidental encoding
REASON = Older adults use less effective encoding strategies. presenting
encoding strategies helped -> causing smaller age effect
What are the typical effects of aging on different types of Working Memory: Declines with age due to reduced processing speed and
memory, such as working memory, short-term memory, attentional control.
semantic memory, and implicit memory? Which memory Short-Term Memory: Mild decline, but generally more resilient than working
systems are most affected by age, and why? memory.
Semantic Memory: Often remains stable or even improves with age, as it
reflects accumulated knowledge.
Implicit Memory: Relatively preserved, as it involves automatic, unconscious
processes (e.g., skills and habits).
Working memory and Episodic memory are most affected:
Episodic Memory: Highly sensitive to age due to its reliance on the
hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
Working Memory: Impacted by reduced cognitive processing speed and
attentional control.
