Module 26: Expected Development in Middle Adulthood

Question 1

What stage of adulthood are the people who are in their prime?

Answer 1

Middle-Aged people are in their prime

Question 2

What do individuals who score the highest in the study of Schaie tend to have?

Answer 2

Individuals who scored the highest in the study of Schaie tended to have high educational levels, flexible personalities, intact families, pursue cognitively complex occupations and other activities, to be married to someone more cognitively advanced, to be satisfied with their accomplishments

Question 3

Fluid Intelligence

Answer 3

+ ability to solve novel problems, such as problems that require little or no previous knowledge
+peak in young adulthood
+ many older adults perform in the real world at high levels despite declines in fluid intelligence

Question 4

Crystallized Intelligence

Answer 4

+ ability to remember and use information acquired over a lifetime, such as academics
+ increase through middle age and often until the end of life

Question 5

What do mature adults show increasing competence in?

Answer 5

Mature adults show increasing competence in solving problems in their chosen field

Question 6

Specialized Knowledge or Expertise

Answer 6

form of crystallized intelligence that is related to the process of encapsulation

Question 7

Why do adults not usually depend on the brain’s information-processing-machinery?

Answer 7

Adults do not usually depend on the brain’s information-processing-machinery because some adult’s fluid intelligence becomes encapsulated (dedicated in handling specific kinds of knowledge)

Question 8

How can expert thinking be described?

Answer 8

Expert thinking often seems automatic and intuitive

Question 9

What is a characteristic of postformal thought?

Answer 9

Such intuitive, experience-based thinking is also a characteristic of Postformal Thought

Question 10

What is an important feature of postformal thought?

Answer 10

An important feature of postformal thought is its integrative nature – adults interpret what they read, see, or hear in terms of its meaning for them

Question 11

Phased Retirement

Answer 11

people reduce works hours or days, gradually moving into retirement over a number of years

Question 12

Bridge Employment

Answer 12

switching to another company or new line of work

Question 13

How can work improve the cognitive abilities of adults?

Answer 13

If work, both on job and home, could be made meaningful and challenging, more adults might retain or improve cognitive abilities

Question 14

What do employers say about the benefits of workplace education?

Answer 14

Employers see benefits of workplace education in improved morale, increased quality of work, better teamwork and problem solving, and greater ability to
cope with new technology and other changes in workplace

Question 15

Literacy

Answer 15

fundamental requisite for participation not only in the workplace but in all facets of a modern, information-driven society

Question 16

Religion

Answer 16

organized set of beliefs, practices, rituals, and symbols that increases an individual’s connection to a sacred or transcendent other

Question 17

Religiousness

Answer 17

degree of affiliation with an organized religion, participation in its rituals and practices

Question 18

Spirituality

Answer 18

involves experiencing something beyond oneself in transcendent manner

Question 19

What biological sex shows stronger interest in religion and spirituality: women or men?

Answer 19

Women have consistently shown stronger interest in religion and spirituality than men

Question 20

What are the three most distinct human qualities according to Viktor Frankl?

Answer 20

Viktor Frankl said that the three most distinct human qualities are spirituality, freedom, and responsibility

Question 21

Spirituality

Answer 21

in Viktor Frankl’s view, refers to a human being’s uniqueness of spirit, philosophy, and mind

Question 22

According to Victor Frankl, how can a sense of meaning in life help somebody?

Answer 22

Having a sense of meaning in life can lead to clearer guidelines for living one’s life and enhanced motivation to take care of oneself and reach goals

Question 23

What are the four main needs for meaning that guide how people try to make sense of their lives according to Viktor Frankl?

Answer 23

1. Need for Purpose
2. Need for Values
3. Need for a sense of efficacy
4. Need for Self-Worth

Question 24

Need for Purpose

Answer 24

goals and fulfillments

Question 25

Need for Values

Answer 25

enable people to decide whether certain acts are right or wrong

Question 26

Need for a sense of efficacy

Answer 26

belief that they can control their environment

Question 27

Selective Optimization with Compensation

Answer 27

enhancing overall cognitive functioning by using stronger abilities to compensate for those that have weakened

Question 28

Selecting

Answer 28

fewer and more meaningful activities or goals

Question 29

Optimizing

Answer 29

the resources they have to achieve their goals

Question 30

Compensating

Answer 30

using resources in alternative ways to achieve their goals