DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY EXAM 7 2025/2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Senescence - The natural physical decline brought about by aging
Physical changes in early adulthood - Most development and maturation are complete; -peak of
physical capabilities
-senses are as sharp as they will be
-gray brain matter is pruned and myelination increases (these changes support cognitive
development)
-psychomotor abilities (hand-eye coordination, reaction time, muscular strength) are at peak
Disability - Condition that substantially limits a major life activity
People with disabilities - More than 50 million people in the United States are physically or mentally
challenged; people with disabilities are undereducated and underemployed or unemployed;
prejudice can be a barrier as well
Recommended exercise - 30 minutes/5 times per week
Young adult nutrition - U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends adults eat a low-fat diet,
including whole-grain foods, vegetables, and fruits; milk and calcium to prevent osteoporosis;
reduced salt intake; reduce calorie intake to maintain health
Obesity - Weight that is 20% or more above average weight for a given height; more than 1/3 of
adults are obese; more than 1 in 20 are extremely obese
Young adults are the ___________ susceptible to colds/illnesses - Least
Leading causes of death for young adults - -Accidents (men more likely to die from accidents than
women)
-AIDS
-Cancer
-Heart Disease
-Suicide
, African Americans have ________ the death rate of Caucasians - Twice
At the age of __________, illness and disease overtake accidents as the leading cause of death - 45
Stress - The physical and emotional response to events that threaten or challenge us
Psychoneuroimmunology - The study of the relationship among the brain, the immune system, and
psychological factors
Stressors - Stressors can be both pleasant events and unpleasant events; stress produces several
outcomes that impact health - long-term, continuous exposure to stressors results in a reduction of
the body dealing with stress
Primary appraisal - The assessment of an event to determine whether its implications are positive,
negative, or neutral
Secondary appraisal - The assessment of whether one's coping abilities and resources are adequate
to overcome the threat or challenge posed by the potential stressor
Events that cause stress - Events that bring on negative emotions; unexpected or uncontrollable
situations; ambiguous or confusing events; having to accomplish too many tasks at once
Consequences of stress - Headaches, backaches, skin rashes, indigestion, chronic fatigue, colds,
immune system issues
Coping - The effort to control, reduce, or learn to tolerate the threats that lead to stress
Types of coping - Good:
Problem-focused coping - change situation
Emotion-focused coping - regulate emotions, get social support
Bad:
Defensive coping - unconscious strategies distort or deny the situation (avoiding or escaping -
drinking, denial, binging, etc.)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Senescence - The natural physical decline brought about by aging
Physical changes in early adulthood - Most development and maturation are complete; -peak of
physical capabilities
-senses are as sharp as they will be
-gray brain matter is pruned and myelination increases (these changes support cognitive
development)
-psychomotor abilities (hand-eye coordination, reaction time, muscular strength) are at peak
Disability - Condition that substantially limits a major life activity
People with disabilities - More than 50 million people in the United States are physically or mentally
challenged; people with disabilities are undereducated and underemployed or unemployed;
prejudice can be a barrier as well
Recommended exercise - 30 minutes/5 times per week
Young adult nutrition - U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends adults eat a low-fat diet,
including whole-grain foods, vegetables, and fruits; milk and calcium to prevent osteoporosis;
reduced salt intake; reduce calorie intake to maintain health
Obesity - Weight that is 20% or more above average weight for a given height; more than 1/3 of
adults are obese; more than 1 in 20 are extremely obese
Young adults are the ___________ susceptible to colds/illnesses - Least
Leading causes of death for young adults - -Accidents (men more likely to die from accidents than
women)
-AIDS
-Cancer
-Heart Disease
-Suicide
, African Americans have ________ the death rate of Caucasians - Twice
At the age of __________, illness and disease overtake accidents as the leading cause of death - 45
Stress - The physical and emotional response to events that threaten or challenge us
Psychoneuroimmunology - The study of the relationship among the brain, the immune system, and
psychological factors
Stressors - Stressors can be both pleasant events and unpleasant events; stress produces several
outcomes that impact health - long-term, continuous exposure to stressors results in a reduction of
the body dealing with stress
Primary appraisal - The assessment of an event to determine whether its implications are positive,
negative, or neutral
Secondary appraisal - The assessment of whether one's coping abilities and resources are adequate
to overcome the threat or challenge posed by the potential stressor
Events that cause stress - Events that bring on negative emotions; unexpected or uncontrollable
situations; ambiguous or confusing events; having to accomplish too many tasks at once
Consequences of stress - Headaches, backaches, skin rashes, indigestion, chronic fatigue, colds,
immune system issues
Coping - The effort to control, reduce, or learn to tolerate the threats that lead to stress
Types of coping - Good:
Problem-focused coping - change situation
Emotion-focused coping - regulate emotions, get social support
Bad:
Defensive coping - unconscious strategies distort or deny the situation (avoiding or escaping -
drinking, denial, binging, etc.)
