Q.1 Which stage of Erikson’s psychosocial theory is most associated with early adulthood?
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Integrity vs. Despair
Explanation - In early adulthood, Erikson emphasized the challenge of forming close relationships without losing personal identity, which is central to Intimacy vs. Isolation.
Correct answer is: Intimacy vs. Isolation
Q.2 In middle adulthood, generativity typically involves:
Caring for the next generation
Seeking independence
Establishing identity
Avoiding regret
Explanation - Generativity in Erikson’s theory refers to creating or nurturing things that will outlast oneself, often through parenting or mentoring.
Correct answer is: Caring for the next generation
Q.3 Which of the following is NOT a typical concern during late adulthood?
Maintaining independence
Forming a stable identity
Coping with physical decline
Reflecting on life meaning
Explanation - Forming identity is a challenge of adolescence, not late adulthood. Older adults often focus on reflection, independence, and health.
Correct answer is: Forming a stable identity
Q.4 Which concept refers to the ability to adapt to changes and losses in adulthood?
Plasticity
Resilience
Stagnation
Fluid intelligence
Explanation - Resilience describes the capacity to bounce back from difficulties, an important part of healthy adult development.
Correct answer is: Resilience
Q.5 According to Levinson, the ‘midlife transition’ often occurs around what age range?
20-25
30-35
40-45
50-55
Explanation - Levinson’s model suggests that many adults experience a reevaluation of life around the ages of 40 to 45, often called the midlife transition.
Correct answer is: 40-45
Q.6 Which type of intelligence typically increases with age?
Fluid intelligence
Crystallized intelligence
Abstract reasoning
Processing speed
Explanation - Crystallized intelligence, or accumulated knowledge and skills, tends to increase with age, while fluid intelligence often declines.
Correct answer is: Crystallized intelligence
Q.7 In later adulthood, the task of ‘integrity vs. despair’ involves:
Balancing career and family
Forming intimate relationships
Reflecting on life with acceptance or regret
Exploring personal identity
Explanation - Erikson’s final stage focuses on whether older adults feel a sense of fulfillment and wisdom or experience regret and despair.
Correct answer is: Reflecting on life with acceptance or regret
Q.8 What term describes the gradual physical decline related to aging?
Senescence
Puberty
Generativity
Cognition
Explanation - Senescence refers to the natural physical decline associated with aging, beginning in adulthood.
Correct answer is: Senescence
Q.9 Which factor most strongly predicts life satisfaction in older adults?
High income
Social relationships
Physical strength
Career achievements
Explanation - Research consistently shows that supportive social ties are the strongest predictor of well-being in later life.
Correct answer is: Social relationships
Q.10 The term ‘empty nest syndrome’ refers to:
Difficulty with early career choices
Emotional challenges when children leave home
Struggles with aging parents
Decline in physical health during midlife
Explanation - Empty nest syndrome describes the adjustment parents face when children grow up and leave home.
Correct answer is: Emotional challenges when children leave home
Q.11 Which lifestyle factor is most linked to healthy aging?
Diet and exercise
Early career success
High income
Number of children
Explanation - Balanced nutrition and regular physical activity are proven to support healthy aging more than economic or family size factors.
Correct answer is: Diet and exercise
Q.12 Adults often experience a decline in which type of memory first?
Episodic memory
Semantic memory
Procedural memory
Implicit memory
Explanation - Episodic memory, or the recall of specific events, is often the first type of memory to show decline with age.
Correct answer is: Episodic memory
Q.13 Which factor is most likely to improve cognitive reserve in adulthood?
Passive entertainment
Lifelong learning
Physical decline
Isolation
Explanation - Engaging in intellectually stimulating activities builds cognitive reserve, which helps maintain mental function as people age.
Correct answer is: Lifelong learning
Q.14 In adulthood, friendships are most often based on:
Shared schooling
Shared experiences and values
Parental influence
Geographic location
Explanation - Adult friendships are usually formed through shared values, goals, and life experiences rather than parental or geographic ties.
Correct answer is: Shared experiences and values
Q.15 Which term refers to the idea that personality remains relatively stable throughout adulthood?
Plasticity hypothesis
Continuity hypothesis
Resilience theory
Developmental stage theory
Explanation - The continuity hypothesis suggests that personality traits tend to remain stable over time, even though some changes occur.
Correct answer is: Continuity hypothesis
Q.16 Which life stage is most often linked to the search for meaning and purpose?
Adolescence
Young adulthood
Middle adulthood
Late adulthood
Explanation - Middle adulthood often involves a focus on generativity and the search for meaning, especially as individuals reflect on life choices.
Correct answer is: Middle adulthood
Q.17 Which coping style is generally considered healthier for managing stress in adulthood?
Avoidance
Problem-focused coping
Suppression
Denial
Explanation - Problem-focused coping, which involves addressing the source of stress, is typically more effective and healthier than avoidance or denial.
Correct answer is: Problem-focused coping
Q.18 What is the ‘sandwich generation’?
Adults balancing career and hobbies
Adults caring for both children and aging parents
Young adults adjusting to independence
Older adults living with grandchildren
Explanation - The sandwich generation describes middle-aged adults who provide care for both their own children and their elderly parents.
Correct answer is: Adults caring for both children and aging parents
Q.19 Which of the following tends to decline earliest in adulthood?
Reaction time
Vocabulary
Wisdom
Social skills
Explanation - Reaction time and processing speed typically begin to decline earlier than vocabulary, wisdom, or social skills.
Correct answer is: Reaction time
Q.20 Which is an example of role strain in adulthood?
Feeling lonely after retirement
Struggling to balance work and family responsibilities
Exploring personal identity in adolescence
Experiencing physical decline in later life
Explanation - Role strain occurs when the demands of different roles, such as parent and worker, create conflict and stress.
Correct answer is: Struggling to balance work and family responsibilities
Q.21 Which factor most reduces the risk of dementia in later adulthood?
Lifelong learning and mental activity
High stress levels
Smoking
Social isolation
Explanation - Engaging in mental and social activities has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive decline.
Correct answer is: Lifelong learning and mental activity
Q.22 Which stage of adulthood is most strongly associated with career establishment?
Young adulthood
Middle adulthood
Late adulthood
Adolescence
Explanation - Young adulthood is often marked by career exploration and establishment as a key developmental task.
Correct answer is: Young adulthood
Q.23 Which theory emphasizes the balance between gains and losses across the lifespan?
Continuity theory
Selective optimization with compensation
Erikson’s psychosocial theory
Attachment theory
Explanation - Baltes’ theory of selective optimization with compensation highlights how adults adapt by focusing on strengths while managing declines.
Correct answer is: Selective optimization with compensation
Q.24 Which factor is most likely to predict marital satisfaction in adulthood?
Shared values and communication
Income level
Number of children
Age of marriage
Explanation - Research consistently shows that communication and shared values are stronger predictors of marital satisfaction than income or family size.
Correct answer is: Shared values and communication
Q.25 Which developmental change is most common in late adulthood?
Improved working memory
Decreased bone density
Faster reaction times
Greater reproductive capacity
Explanation - Physical decline, including decreased bone density, is a normal part of aging in late adulthood.
Correct answer is: Decreased bone density