Incorrect Questions from Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, Adult Development and Aging

Fall, 2007

Incorrect questions from Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, Adult Development and Aging

Chapter 1

Question 7 in Test Bank, p. 8)

Plasticity refers to:

a.) the ability to change and improve abilities over time and with development – correct answer*

b.) our differing cultural backgrounds

c.) development and aging involving both decline and growth – Test bank answer (this is the answer for Multidirectionality)

d.) the fact that each of us is affected by a variety of factors, both positive and negative.

*Reference= page 3, 17, and page 32 – Key words Plasticity The belief that capacity is not fixed, but can be learned or improved with practice.

Chapter 2

Question 35 in the Instructor’s Manual (page 38). Also incorrect answer.

The problem of vertigo is associated with:

Kinesthesis (test correct answer)

Temperature sensitivity

Vestibular system the correct answer-

Pain sensitivity

Student’s remarks: On page 52 of chapter 2 (at the top) it talks about the vestibular system. Then states dizziness and vertigo are common experiences. This is in a different section than kinesthesis. The test said Kinesthesis was the correct answer while I think it is the vestibular system.

Question 3 in instructor’s manual (p.33).

The fact that Okinawans, who eat only 60% of the normal Japanese diet, have 40 times as many people over 100 than the rest of Japan, is evidence for which biological theory of aging?

Cellular

rate-of-living (what I picked) – Correct answer see page 36 of textbook. - Davis

cross-linking (the test correct answer)

programmed cell death

Student’s remarks: On page 36 it talks about the rate of living theories in that section is talks about the Okinawan people as an example of rate-of-living theory. The cross-linking theory doesn’t speak about diet.

Question 73, page 42 in Instructor’s Manual

This is a physical condition in which the inability to breathe temporarily interferes with the individual's sleep

sleep apnea. Correct answer.

perimenopause.

dysthermia. This is a bogus word. It is not in the text, and it is not in my “Dorland’s Medical Dictionary.”

presbyopia.

Note: this word, dysthermia, also appears in the Instructor’s Manual, page 36, question 27 as an incorrect distracter, it is a made up word.

Student’s remarks: I could not find the word dysthermia in the dictionary or in the online dictionary. According to page 67 sleep apnea is the stopping breathing for 5-10 seconds.

Question 64 in Instructor’s Manual

Research on normal, age related structural changes in neurons show that

a. neurons are lost by the tens of thousands each year

b. a pattern of both loss and growth appears to be the case* correct according to testbank

c. there is no question that the main issue is dendritic loss

d. it turns out that there are very few changes in neurons

This is a poorly worded question because of the word “normal” in the stem. The text, page 65, refers to “abnormal.” “The normative loss and growth pattern in neurons may provide insight into abnormal brain aging. I understand what the author is trying to say, but it is very confusing to the student.

Chapter 3

Question 38, page 61 in Instructor’s Manual

All of the following are chronic conditions except:

a.) arthritis

b.) cancer incorrect marked correct in text bank

c.) diabetes

d.) hypertension correct answer

I chose (d), hypertension because the text states that this is simply high blood pressure (pg. 56 -57), and this is not a chronic condition. The other three, arthritis, cancer, and diabetes are listed in the "Common Chronic Conditions" section (pg. 92-93). However, for some reason the computer thought that the answer should have been (b), cancer.

Question 62 in test bank:

Mrs. Granich takes 7 medications for a variety of problems. Most of these medications must be taken every day and at specified times during the day. Trying to remember all this makes it hard for Mrs. Granich to take her medication correctly. She could increase her medication compliance by

a. using a pill organizer. correct according to text bank

b. reducing the medications she takes. correct according to textbook (page 102 para. 2, "The best approach is to keep the number of medications to a minimum. . . ")

c. self-medicating.

d. only seeing her favorite doctor.

The text doesn't mention a pill organizer as a method to increase taking medication correctly.

Chapter 5

Question 15 in Instructor’s Test Bank:

"According to Schooler's interpretation of the stress and coping paradigm, all of the following are potential stressors on health or morale except:"

a. "increases in social support " –correct answer

b. "major life events" test bank answer, clearly wrong*

c. "environmental change"

d. "residential mobility"

*On page 160, column 1, paragraph 3, it states, "In particular, he examined the impact of three potential stressors (environmental change residential mobility, and major life events) on health and morale." The only answer that is not a potential stressor is a. Social support is listed as a buffering, or protective, effects to decrease the harmful stressors listed.

Question 40 in Instructor’s Test Bank:

A major advantage of Moos' multidimensional approach to assessing person-environment interactions is that it

(a.) points out areas of resident dependencytest bank answer

(b.) uses personal interviews.

(c.) provides areas of strengths and weaknesses. correct answer

(d.) provides areas of greatest congruence.

. In the text on page 167, the author writes, “it establishes areas of strength and weakness so that appropriate programs can be devised”.

Additionally, on page 95 of the instructor’s guide outline Item d) i) (2) (c) “This approach allows one to establish areasof strength and weakness in person-environment interactions

Chapter 6

Question 40 (in instructor’s manual)

As a discipline, human factors

a. tries to optimize the design of living and working environments  correct answer.
b. focuses on the connection between exercise and reaction time  incorrect test bank answer.
c. identifies intrapersonal reasons for psychomotor performance.
d. examines the reasons for behavioral slowing.

Page 205 under the human factors definition it clearly states, "focusing on human factors tries to optimize the design of living and working environments,". The quiz incorrectly states that it is "focuses on the connection between exercise and reaction time."

Question 51 (in instructor’s manual)

John has trouble fastening his seatbelt and reading the instrument panel in his car. The field of ____ often addresses these problems.

a. developmental psychology

b. engineering

c. human factors correct answer

d. auto insurers test bank answer

The reference for the correct answer is on page 205, second column, first and second paragraph.

Chapter 7

Question 71 (in instructor’s manual)

Harris suggested that external memory cues are most effective if they are

a. passive rather than active.

b. situational specific listed as correct

c. given close to the time action is required This is also correct

d. difficult to use

Page 252 of the text has the question verbatim in the last paragraph second column. Both b and c are correct per the text. The test bank indicates only b is correct. The question would be correct if the stem and a were reworded thus: Harris suggested all of the following external memory cues are most effective except: d. would be the correct answer since all the others are listed in the text as being effective (change a to read “active rather than passive”

Question 44 (in instructor’s manual)

A general conclusion concerning text-based variables and performance on prose memory tasks is that

a / age is more important than verbal ability.
b / verbal ability is more important than age. < Test bankAnswer
c / age is a key factor.
d / rate of presentation is more important than age. < Correct Ans.

This is another poorly constructed question. It has two correct answers, b and d, however d is the most correct because eliminated is stronger than reduces.

On page 236, bottom right side states, " when speed of presentation variable is removed and participants can pace themselves, age differences are eliminated". But it also states, “high verbal ability reduces age differences in overall recall during rapidpresentation".

Chapter 9

Question 62 (in instructor’s manual)

What control strategies are related to preserving a positive perspective as we age?

a. minimizing  Should read “immunizing mechanisms”

b. assimilative activities

c. accommodations

d. all of these  correct answer IF the correction is made on a.

Page 331, second column lists Brandtstadter (1999) three interdependent processes. Minimizing is not one of the processes but immunizing mechanisms is the third one.

Chapter 10

Question 37 (in instructor’s manual):

According to Loevinger, the level of ego development that most adults are at is :

a.) individualistic-autonomous

b.) conscientious  marked correct in error in test bank

c.) conformist

d.) conscientious-conformist.  correct answer

On page 358 the authors say, “most adults in American society operate at the conscientious-conformist level”.

Question 39 (in instructor’s manual)

In which Loevinger’s stage does concern for social problems and differentiating one’s inner life from one’s out life become the main preoccupation.

a.) conscientious

b.) autonomous

c.) individualistic  correct answer

d.) conformist  marked correct in error in test bank

On page 359, “concern for broad social problems and differentiating one’s inner life from one’s out life become the main preoccupations” is written when describing the individualistic level.

Chapter 11

Question 16 in instructor’s manual:

Ellen just saw the person of her dreams at the mall – it was love at first sight. She is very strongly attracted to this person. According to Sternberg, she is relying on which component of love?

A.)Passion Correct answer

B.)Commitment

C.)Intimacy marked correct in error in test bank

D.)Chastity

On page 387, the text describes passion as “an intense psychological desire for someone”. The text describes intimacy as “the feeling that one can share all one’s thoughts and actions with another”. To me, love-at-first-sight would relate more to an intense psychological desire (to someone’s physical attractiveness) rather than the idea that Ellen wants to share all of her thoughts with someone she just met at the mall.

Question 66 (in instructor’s manual):

A term that describes the situation in families after the last child leaves home is

a. / postparental family. marked correct in error in test bank
b. / empty-nesters.  Correct answer
c. / tired-parental family.
d. / pre-grandparental family.

On page 240 in the instructor’s manual it identifies “Empty nest as the label for when the last child leaves home –also on page 408 in the text book.

Question 17 (in instructor’s manual):

Selecting a romantic mate based on similarity to each other is known as

/ a. / assortive mating.  Correct answer
/ b. / communal interests.  marked correct in error in test bank
c. / passion.
d. / emotional selectivity.

On page 235 in the instructors manual it identifies Assortative Mating as the name of mate selection, also on page 387 and in the glossary/subject index.

Question 51 (in instructor’s manual):

Gottman and Levenson (2000) found that ____ predicts divorce early in marriage, while ____ predicts divorce later in marriage.

a. / children; negative emotions
/ b. / negative emotions predicts divorce at any point in marriage marked correct in error
/ c. / negative emotions; lack of positive emotions Correct answer
d. / lack of positive emotions; negative emotions

Page 402 in the textbook at top first paragraph, "Negative emotions displayed during conflict predict early divorce but not later divorce"'and, "lack of positive emotions in a discussion of events of the day and during conflict predict later divorce, but not early divorce."

Question 62 (in the instructor’s manual)

A family consisting of grandparents, parents, children, and other relatives is called

/ a. / extended. Correct answer
b. / reconstituted.
c. / nuclear.
/ d. / expanded. marked correct in error

Page 424 in Key Terms says, extended family is a family consisting of parents, children, grandparents, and other relatives all living together.

Chapter 12

Question 1 (in the instructor’s manual)

The main reason that most people work is for

a. / prestige.
/ b. / money.  correct answer(computer's answer)
/ c. / personal identity.
d. / sense of worth.

On page 429, 2nd column, 1st sentence of the 2nd paragraph, it states that ".....a key element is their sense of identity." . This is an ambiguous question with four correct answers – It needs to be reworded because all four are listed as “reasons people work.” An argument could be made that b. is “the most correct” because it is the “main purpose for work,” but the question is too tricky.

Question 13 (in the instructor’s manual)

This researcher's theory suggests that people choose careers with the greatest similarity to their personality.

a. Cavanaugh
b. Holland  correct answer
c. Super
d. Schaie  marked correct in error

On page 431: "Holland developed a theory based on the intuitively appealing idea that people choose occupations to optimize the fit between their individual traits - such as personality, intelligence, skills and abilities - and their occupational interests." The answer the quiz said was right was "Schaie." Schaie in not mentioned in this section.

Question 18 (in the instructor’s manual)

Simon just started another new job trying to figure out what he wants to do for a career. According to Super he is in which stage?

a.)Implementation correct answer

b.)Maintenance

c.)Deceleration

d.)Establishment marked correct in error

On page 433 of the textbook states that the implementation stage is “being in late adolescence or the early 20s when people take a series of temporary jobs to learn first hand about work role and to try out some possible career choices”.

Question 75 (in the instructor’s manual)
Which of the following factors is responsible for improved public perception of the skills and wisdom older adults have to offer?
a. / redefinition of the merits of volunteer work marked correct in error
b. / a more highly educated older population
c. / all of these correct answer
d / expanded opportunities for volunteer work
On page 462, the last paragraph lists a., b., and d. as factors in the increased numbers of older adults doing volunteer work, therefore answer c. is correct. The stem of this question should be more explanatory. The distracters are clearly taken from the text, but as factors that explain the increase in volunteers. One could extrapolate that is also “responsible for improved public perception of the skills and wisdom older adults have to offer,” but it is by no means clear.

Question 66 (in the instructor’s manual)

What aspect of leisure activities remains constant across adulthood?

/ a. / the quality of activity  marked correct in error
b. / the quantity of activity
/ c. / the type pursued  correct answer
d., / the length of activity

P.455 below the Table 12.2 it states “Apparently one’s preferences for certain types of leisure activities are established early in life; they tend to change over the life span primarily in terms of how physically intense they are.”

Chapter 13

Question 23 (in the instructor’s manual)

The Patient Self-Determination Act requires

a. the naming of a specific individual who can make decisions for ill patients. Marked correct in error

b. facilities receiving Medicare to inform patients about advance directives. Correct answer

c. facilities receiving Medicare to have advance directives for all patients.

d. physicians to do everything in their power to save a patient.

The text states, The Patient Self-Determination Act "requires
health care facilities receiving Medicare funds to inform patients about
their rights to prepare advance directives stating their preferences for
terminal care" (p. 477).

Question 64 (in the instructor’s manual):

Which of the following responses would be considered a normal sign of grief?

A.) sadness

B.) all of these Correct answer

C.) emptiness Marked correct in error

D.) anger

The reference in the text is found on page 490 under the sub-heading “Normal Grief Reactions.” All of the words are in the list of “normal grief,” therefore b. is the correct answer.

Question 3 (in the instructor’s manual):

Worrying about who will care for your family is an example of death as

/ a. / a fear and anxiety. Correct answer
b. / an analogy.
c. / a boundary.
/ d. / an image. Marked correct in error

On page 473 in the text this question is clearly listed under "Death as Fear and Anxiety" -- "Who will care for my children and I worry about my family", it could even fit under Death as a Boundary because an example is "What will happen to my family after I die" because it shows concern and a worry about what will happen. But no where in the list would it fit under Death as an Image.

Question 7 (in the instructor’s manual):

Which of the following is not an official criterion for determining brain death?

a. / lack of pain response
/ b. / lack of speech Marked correct in error
/ c. / lack of brain activity Correct answer
d. / lack of motor reflexes

Page 474 of the textbook, the second column is as list of official criteria for brain death and the fifth bullet down states, “No postural activity, swallowing, yawning, or vocalizing (speech).”

in the second to last paragraph, it states that, “according to most hospitals, the lack of brain activity must be true of both the cortex and the brain stem.” The most correct answer for this question is “lack of brain activity” because it those words are not in the “official criterion for determining brain death.”

Question 41

Which of the following would not be an example of showing death anxiety?

a. / skydiving
/ b. / working in a nursing home marked correct in error
c. / telling jokes about death
d. / avoiding funerals

This is just a bad question since all four activities are identified on page 482 as indicators of “death anxiety.” I would fix this question by changing d. to read “attending funerals.” That would be a clear “not example of showing death anxiety.”

Question 58

A possible example of ____ might be a women dressed in black following the death of her spouse.

/ a. / bereavement Correct answer also as written
/ b. / mourning Correct answer
c. / working through it
d. / grief work

Page 487 in the paragraph after the vignette, it states that, “you can tell a woman is bereaved and in mourning because she wears a black dress and veil.” This is too ambiguous since wearing black identifies both bereavement and mourning according to the text. I would correct this question by changing a. to “poor fashion sense.”