Sample Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a common focus of adult development theories?
A) Cognitive development in childhood
B) Emotional regulation in middle adulthood
C) Social role changes in later life
D) Aging and physical decline
Answer: A
Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development emphasizes which key factor during late adulthood?
A) Integrity vs. despair
B) Industry vs. inferiority
C) Intimacy vs. isolation
D) Generativity vs. stagnation
Answer: A
According to Levinson’s seasons of life theory, the transition into middle adulthood involves:
A) Reassessing life goals and achievements
B) Deciding to focus on retirement plans
C) Developing a new identity based on grandparenthood
D) Remaining focused on career goals
Answer: A
Which of the following is a cognitive change typically associated with aging?
A) Increased short-term memory capacity
B) Decreased fluid intelligence
C) Improved ability to multitask
D) Increased processing speed
Answer: B
The concept of “crystallized intelligence” refers to:
A) The ability to reason quickly and abstractly
B) Knowledge and skills that are acquired through experience
C) The ability to think abstractly in novel situations
D) Decreased mental flexibility with age
Answer: B
In the context of adulthood, the “sandwich generation” refers to:
A) Adults caring for both aging parents and their own children
B) Young adults struggling with career transitions
C) Older adults preparing for retirement
D) Middle-aged adults experiencing midlife crisis
Answer: A
According to the socioemotional selectivity theory, older adults tend to:
A) Increase the number of social contacts they maintain
B) Focus on emotionally meaningful relationships
C) Participate in more social activities than younger adults
D) Decrease emotional investment in social relationships
Answer: B
Which of the following is NOT typically a risk factor for cognitive decline in older adults?
A) Regular physical exercise
B) High levels of education
C) Chronic medical conditions such as diabetes
D) Chronic stress
Answer: A
In adulthood, which of the following is considered a common consequence of retirement?
A) Increased social isolation and depression
B) Heightened levels of job satisfaction
C) Better work-life balance
D) Decreased financial stability
Answer: A
The term “selective optimization with compensation” refers to:
A) Maximizing strengths while compensating for weaknesses
B) Focusing on career goals and ignoring family obligations
C) Adapting to new technologies in old age
D) Reducing stress through physical exercise
Answer: A
The concept of generativity, as described by Erikson, is most associated with:
A) Developing a sense of self and personal identity
B) Making a positive contribution to society, such as parenting or mentoring
C) Reflecting on life and accepting mortality
D) Fostering intimacy and emotional closeness with others
Answer: B
The theory of “fluid intelligence” involves the ability to:
A) Utilize acquired knowledge and experience
B) Solve novel problems without relying on prior knowledge
C) Remember and recall facts from long-term memory
D) Increase information processing speed with age
Answer: B
In which stage of adulthood is the highest rate of physical health decline typically observed?
A) Early adulthood
B) Middle adulthood
C) Late adulthood
D) Emerging adulthood
Answer: C
Which of the following is an example of a physical change commonly seen in middle adulthood?
A) Decrease in muscle mass and strength
B) Increase in bone density
C) Greater cardiovascular efficiency
D) Better vision and hearing than during young adulthood
Answer: A
The “midlife crisis” is typically associated with which stage of adulthood?
A) Emerging adulthood
B) Early adulthood
C) Middle adulthood
D) Late adulthood
Answer: C
Which of the following is considered a protective factor against mental health decline in older adults?
A) Isolation from family and friends
B) Participation in physical and cognitive activities
C) Decline in social roles and responsibilities
D) Avoiding new challenges or learning experiences
Answer: B
The term “ageism” refers to:
A) The psychological stress associated with aging
B) Discrimination or prejudice based on an individual’s age
C) The ability to reverse aging through medical treatments
D) The positive social roles associated with older age
Answer: B
In terms of emotional development, older adults tend to experience:
A) Greater difficulty in managing emotions
B) Improved emotional regulation
C) Increased mood instability
D) Less satisfaction with life overall
Answer: B
According to research on aging and memory, which type of memory tends to remain stable in older adulthood?
A) Working memory
B) Episodic memory
C) Semantic memory
D) Short-term memory
Answer: C
Which of the following is a social factor that can influence development in later adulthood?
A) Educational attainment
B) Socioeconomic status
C) The number of grandchildren
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Which of the following is most likely to contribute to a positive aging experience?
A) Physical and cognitive decline without support
B) High levels of social engagement and emotional support
C) Denial of aging and avoiding discussions about death
D) Over-reliance on pharmaceuticals for health management
Answer: B
In terms of physical aging, which body system typically shows the most noticeable signs of aging?
A) Digestive system
B) Musculoskeletal system
C) Endocrine system
D) Immune system
Answer: B
Which of the following cognitive functions tends to decline with age?
A) Recognition memory
B) Short-term memory
C) Knowledge of facts
D) Vocabulary
Answer: B
In adulthood, the term “role strain” is best described as:
A) The stress experienced from multiple conflicting roles
B) The positive adjustment to new life roles
C) The avoidance of major life role changes
D) The emotional satisfaction from fulfilling family roles
Answer: A
Which of the following is an example of a psychosocial challenge in late adulthood?
A) Finding new meaning in life after retirement
B) The development of new cognitive abilities
C) Managing work-life balance in a changing career
D) Navigating the transition from high school to college
Answer: A
The concept of “successful aging” often includes which of the following factors?
A) Maintaining physical health and independence
B) Avoiding all social interactions to prevent emotional distress
C) Reversing cognitive decline through medical interventions
D) Reducing contact with family members to prevent conflict
Answer: A
The term “cohort effect” refers to:
A) The influence of social and historical factors on different age groups
B) The genetic factors that shape an individual’s development
C) The influence of biological aging on cognitive abilities
D) The way a person’s childhood experiences affect aging
Answer: A
Which of the following is most associated with physical aging in late adulthood?
A) Enhanced muscle strength
B) Improved memory and recall
C) Decreased bone mass and flexibility
D) Increased metabolic rate
Answer: C
The ability to maintain cognitive function in older adulthood is most positively influenced by:
A) Social isolation
B) Chronic stress
C) Lifelong intellectual engagement
D) Avoiding physical exercise
Answer: C
Which of the following best describes the process of aging according to the disengagement theory?
A) A mutual withdrawal of older adults from society to reflect on life
B) A phase of reengagement with society to continue productive work
C) A time for the development of new skills and interests
D) The increased participation in family roles in later life
Answer: A
31. In terms of aging and physical development, which of the following is a common consequence of menopause?
A) Increased bone density
B) Reduced levels of estrogen and progesterone
C) Greater muscle strength
D) Increase in metabolic rate
Answer: B
32. According to research on aging, which of the following has been shown to have a positive effect on the cognitive function of older adults?
A) Chronic health conditions
B) Increased isolation from social networks
C) Regular physical and mental exercise
D) Reducing intellectual engagement to avoid stress
Answer: C
33. The concept of “life review” in late adulthood refers to:
A) The process of making new life decisions based on regret
B) Revisiting memories to make sense of one’s life
C) Ignoring past experiences and focusing only on the present
D) The acceptance of death and the end of personal goals
Answer: B
34. According to the socioemotional selectivity theory, older adults are likely to:
A) Seek new relationships while maintaining old ones
B) Become more selective in their social relationships, focusing on emotional satisfaction
C) Maintain large, diverse social circles
D) Decrease overall social interactions to preserve energy
Answer: B
35. What is one key component of successful aging, according to the life-span perspective?
A) The complete avoidance of physical decline
B) Maintaining social engagement and fulfilling relationships
C) Rejecting emotional experiences and focusing solely on physical health
D) Avoiding any challenges or stresses in later life
Answer: B
36. Which of the following is a common physical change in older adulthood related to vision?
A) Decreased need for corrective lenses
B) Decreased ability to adjust to low light
C) Increased visual acuity
D) Improved depth perception
Answer: B
37. According to Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, adults in middle adulthood typically experience a shift from:
A) Concrete operational thinking to formal operational thinking
B) Dualistic thinking to relativistic thinking
C) Abstract thinking to concrete thinking
D) Logical reasoning to intuitive reasoning
Answer: B
38. The “empty nest syndrome” refers to:
A) The excitement and freedom felt after children move out
B) The emotional adjustment when children leave home
C) Increased financial burden due to children’s departure
D) The rejection of parenting roles as children leave home
Answer: B
39. Which of the following is considered a common psychosocial change in middle adulthood?
A) Increased desire for career change and mobility
B) A focus on personal growth and self-improvement
C) A shift away from family responsibilities
D) Decreased concern about health and well-being
Answer: B
40. Which of the following strategies is most likely to promote emotional well-being in late adulthood?
A) Rejecting the reality of aging
B) Maintaining active participation in social, physical, and mental activities
C) Focusing solely on past regrets
D) Isolating oneself from younger generations
Answer: B
Mariam –
This Adult Development and Aging exam practice test was incredibly helpful. The questions were well-structured and matched what I saw on my actual exam. Highly recommended!