Final Exam: PSY 357/ PSY357 (Latest 2026/ 2027 Update
)
Lifespan Development Review | Questions & verified
Answers| Grade A| 100% Correct (verified Elaborations)-
GCU
Define middle adulthood -- why is it called the maintenance or status quo years?
Middle adulthood: period begins around 35+ and lasts until mid-60s. Note: age of 35 is often
disputed, but ages 40-55 are typically undisputed.
Maintenance/status quo years: this stage is often referred to as such because middle-aged adults
are often working and are beginning to launch their now-adult children into the world. An
individual usually hits the peak of their success and wealth during this stage.
What physical changes occur during middle adulthood?
Skin: becomes drier, thinner, and less elastic
Hair: hair begins to gray - hair loss over entire body more prevalent
Height: older individuals are often at least an inch shorter than they were in early adulthood -
occurs as disks between vertebrae shrink
Weight: there is often a gradual increase in weight during one's 30s and 40s, while those in their
50s often notice a gradual decline in weight
Eyes: vision declines during one's 40s; presbyopia - old-sighted vision due to slower adaptation
of lens - many adults will often need bi- or tri-focals
Ears: like vision, hearing declines during one's 40s; for men, hearing declines sharply for high-
pitched sounds
Note: all above changes are classified as primary aging
Menopause vs climacteric - is HRT (hormone replacement therapy) a viable option?
Menopause: cessation of a woman's menstrual periods
Climacteric: refers to a middle-aged woman's inability to reproduce as a result of menopause
, Final Exam: PSY 357/ PSY357 (Latest 2026/ 2027 Update
)
Lifespan Development Review | Questions & verified
Answers| Grade A| 100% Correct (verified Elaborations)-
GCU
Some men also go through "male menopause" (also called climacteric) which is triggered by a
reduction in testosterone levels
HRT: controversial therapy in which estrogen is replaced to alleviate symptoms of menopause -
is linked to development of cervical cancer in some women
Is it a viable option - likely not for most women, but if certain patients understand the risks of the
treatment and feel the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, then very few may opt for it
Crystallized vs. fluid intelligence
Crystallized: accumulated knowledge and skills - continues to increase into late adulthood
Fluid: abstract reasoning ability - typically peaks and then declines in the 40s
How is religion correlated with better health and meaningfulness (Frankl)?
Maintenance of spiritual faith is often linked to better health outcomes, quality of life, longevity,
and coping skills - additionally, these individuals often experience less anxiety, depression, and
suicide
Frankl & Meaningfulness: Victor Frankl was a Jewish psychiatrist who survived capture by the
Nazis, while his entire family did not. He suffered from survivor's guilt - as a result, he later
developed Logo therapy which emphasized to others why it is important to find meaning as to
why bad things happen so they may cultivate better coping skills
How can adults positively resolve Erikson's seventh crisis?
Generativity vs. Stagnation - middle adults can resolve this stage by caring about the next
generation, whether by means of being a parent, teacher, coach, or conservationist
Perception of events - if an adult is able to grasp that it isn't so much what happens to people but
how they perceive it, they may feel a stronger sense of control - by seeing events as things that
can be changed, they experience less stress
)
Lifespan Development Review | Questions & verified
Answers| Grade A| 100% Correct (verified Elaborations)-
GCU
Define middle adulthood -- why is it called the maintenance or status quo years?
Middle adulthood: period begins around 35+ and lasts until mid-60s. Note: age of 35 is often
disputed, but ages 40-55 are typically undisputed.
Maintenance/status quo years: this stage is often referred to as such because middle-aged adults
are often working and are beginning to launch their now-adult children into the world. An
individual usually hits the peak of their success and wealth during this stage.
What physical changes occur during middle adulthood?
Skin: becomes drier, thinner, and less elastic
Hair: hair begins to gray - hair loss over entire body more prevalent
Height: older individuals are often at least an inch shorter than they were in early adulthood -
occurs as disks between vertebrae shrink
Weight: there is often a gradual increase in weight during one's 30s and 40s, while those in their
50s often notice a gradual decline in weight
Eyes: vision declines during one's 40s; presbyopia - old-sighted vision due to slower adaptation
of lens - many adults will often need bi- or tri-focals
Ears: like vision, hearing declines during one's 40s; for men, hearing declines sharply for high-
pitched sounds
Note: all above changes are classified as primary aging
Menopause vs climacteric - is HRT (hormone replacement therapy) a viable option?
Menopause: cessation of a woman's menstrual periods
Climacteric: refers to a middle-aged woman's inability to reproduce as a result of menopause
, Final Exam: PSY 357/ PSY357 (Latest 2026/ 2027 Update
)
Lifespan Development Review | Questions & verified
Answers| Grade A| 100% Correct (verified Elaborations)-
GCU
Some men also go through "male menopause" (also called climacteric) which is triggered by a
reduction in testosterone levels
HRT: controversial therapy in which estrogen is replaced to alleviate symptoms of menopause -
is linked to development of cervical cancer in some women
Is it a viable option - likely not for most women, but if certain patients understand the risks of the
treatment and feel the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, then very few may opt for it
Crystallized vs. fluid intelligence
Crystallized: accumulated knowledge and skills - continues to increase into late adulthood
Fluid: abstract reasoning ability - typically peaks and then declines in the 40s
How is religion correlated with better health and meaningfulness (Frankl)?
Maintenance of spiritual faith is often linked to better health outcomes, quality of life, longevity,
and coping skills - additionally, these individuals often experience less anxiety, depression, and
suicide
Frankl & Meaningfulness: Victor Frankl was a Jewish psychiatrist who survived capture by the
Nazis, while his entire family did not. He suffered from survivor's guilt - as a result, he later
developed Logo therapy which emphasized to others why it is important to find meaning as to
why bad things happen so they may cultivate better coping skills
How can adults positively resolve Erikson's seventh crisis?
Generativity vs. Stagnation - middle adults can resolve this stage by caring about the next
generation, whether by means of being a parent, teacher, coach, or conservationist
Perception of events - if an adult is able to grasp that it isn't so much what happens to people but
how they perceive it, they may feel a stronger sense of control - by seeing events as things that
can be changed, they experience less stress
