PSYC 140 MODULE 8 EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Module Question: Compare and contrast primary and secondary aging. - Answers -
Primary aging is biological and genetically influenced. Secondary aging is aging that is
caused by lifestyle and the environment.
Primary aging is biological aging caused by genes, this aging is unavoidable, while
Secondary aging is not inevitable and is mostly cause by our lifes choices and the
environment.
Module question: What are some logical and scientific problems with the "wear and
tear" theory of aging? - Answers - The body does an amazing job of repairing itself
under normal circumstances. Also, individuals who engage in moderate to vigorous
exercise and activity are typically healthier and longer-lived compared to more
sedentary individuals.
Module Question: What are some current explanations for why we age biologically? -
Answers - Specific genes seem to be at least partly responsible for longevity as well as
the age at which noticeable physical changes occur in aging. Other genetic theories
consider cumulative effects that damage DNA and therefore result in aging.
Module question: Describe three subtypes of neurocognitive disorders discussed in this
module. - Answers - Choose three of the following:
-Parkinson's Disease: may cause a neurocognitive disorder. Symptoms include anxiety,
depression, hallucinations, and personality changes.
-Cognitive declines due to Vascular Disease: are due to a cerebrovascular event such
as a stroke. Risk factors include hypertension, smoking, obesity and any factors that
contribute to cerebrovascular disease.
-A Traumatic brain injury: (which involves trauma to the brain from impact to the head,
paired with a number of symptoms such as loss of consciousness or amnesia) can
result in cognitive impairment such as difficulty concentrating and slowed processing.
-Substance/medication induced neurocognitive disorder: is due to usually a lifetime of
heavy drug use such as alcohol abuse. This may result in the individual having severe
problems with concentrating as well as some motor problems.
-A Prion disease: is caused by transmissible agents called prions. For example, a form
of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is known as "mad cow disease." In humans, Creutzfeldt-
Jakob disease is very rare. While the precise process for developing a prion disease is
not well understood, research indicates that transmission can occur by corneal
transplantation, injection, and possibly physical contacted with contaminated matter.
-A number of individuals with an HIV Infection have a neurocognitive disorder that is tied
to this disease. Approximately 25% of individuals with HIV have symptoms for at least a
mild neurocognitive disorder.
-Alzheimer's disease: (named after the discoverer, Dr. Alzheimer) is the most common
type of dementia (60% of cases)
, Module question: Summarize what the progression of Alzheimer's disease often looks
like, being sure to incorporate the three time points in your summary. - Answers - Early
stages: problems with declarative memory and language. Social activities, daily
activities, and mood may be affected. Middle stages: progressive memory deterioration
and problems with common words and names. Problems with self-care. May have
spatial reasoning difficulties and may be unaware of the year/month/current location.
Final stages: completely unable to care for self.
Module question: Your grandmother is concerned that she might have Alzheimer's
disease. What is your response to her based on the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's
disease linked in this module? - Answers - I would tell my grandma that it's natural to
worry about Alzheimer's, I would also reassure her that memory changes are common
with aging, but it's important to distinguish between typical age-related changes and
those that might signal something more serious, like Alzheimer's. For example, while it's
normal to occasionally forget names or appointments and later remember them,
persistent memory loss that disrupts daily life—such as forgetting recently learned
information or asking the same questions repeatedly—could be a sign of Alzheimer's.
Other warning signs to be aware of include difficulty with planning or solving problems,
confusion about time or place, trouble understanding visual images, or problems with
speaking and writing. If she is experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to talk
to a doctor. Early detection can help with symptom management and maintaining
independence for as long as possible.
Module question: Summarize current findings regarding what causes AD. - Answers -
Research has ruled out many environmental substances (for example, aluminum and
aspartame) as primary causes of AD. However, the precise causes are still unknown.
While amlyoid plaques and neurofibrillay tangles characterize the brains of patients with
AD (and contribute to neural death and brain shrinkage), these abnormalities can also
be observed in the brains of asymptomatic individuals. This leads researchers to
investigate still further for insight into why individuals may function so differently with
and without the presence of these abnormal brain structures.
Module question: Compare and contrast the three theories discussed in this section.
What do you personally think it means to age successfully? - Answers - Disengagement
theory: older adults should withdraw from societal interaction to maintain life
satisfaction. Activity theory: the more active the older adult is, the better (if levels of
interaction decrease, they are often due to barriers that need to be overcome). Selective
Optimization with Compensation theory essentially says that older adults need to make
the best of the resources they have available, utilizing choice, practice, and creative
strategies to carry on with activities despite declining in some ways.
Compare and contrast Activity Theory and Selective Optimization with Compensation
Theory. Be sure to both "compare" and "contrast." - Answers - Activity theory is
suggests that older individuals are happiest when they partake in an activity. These
activites can range from: painting, volunteering, or even playing a sport (e.g. tennis).
Selective Optimization with Compensation Theory suggests that as older individuals
Module Question: Compare and contrast primary and secondary aging. - Answers -
Primary aging is biological and genetically influenced. Secondary aging is aging that is
caused by lifestyle and the environment.
Primary aging is biological aging caused by genes, this aging is unavoidable, while
Secondary aging is not inevitable and is mostly cause by our lifes choices and the
environment.
Module question: What are some logical and scientific problems with the "wear and
tear" theory of aging? - Answers - The body does an amazing job of repairing itself
under normal circumstances. Also, individuals who engage in moderate to vigorous
exercise and activity are typically healthier and longer-lived compared to more
sedentary individuals.
Module Question: What are some current explanations for why we age biologically? -
Answers - Specific genes seem to be at least partly responsible for longevity as well as
the age at which noticeable physical changes occur in aging. Other genetic theories
consider cumulative effects that damage DNA and therefore result in aging.
Module question: Describe three subtypes of neurocognitive disorders discussed in this
module. - Answers - Choose three of the following:
-Parkinson's Disease: may cause a neurocognitive disorder. Symptoms include anxiety,
depression, hallucinations, and personality changes.
-Cognitive declines due to Vascular Disease: are due to a cerebrovascular event such
as a stroke. Risk factors include hypertension, smoking, obesity and any factors that
contribute to cerebrovascular disease.
-A Traumatic brain injury: (which involves trauma to the brain from impact to the head,
paired with a number of symptoms such as loss of consciousness or amnesia) can
result in cognitive impairment such as difficulty concentrating and slowed processing.
-Substance/medication induced neurocognitive disorder: is due to usually a lifetime of
heavy drug use such as alcohol abuse. This may result in the individual having severe
problems with concentrating as well as some motor problems.
-A Prion disease: is caused by transmissible agents called prions. For example, a form
of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is known as "mad cow disease." In humans, Creutzfeldt-
Jakob disease is very rare. While the precise process for developing a prion disease is
not well understood, research indicates that transmission can occur by corneal
transplantation, injection, and possibly physical contacted with contaminated matter.
-A number of individuals with an HIV Infection have a neurocognitive disorder that is tied
to this disease. Approximately 25% of individuals with HIV have symptoms for at least a
mild neurocognitive disorder.
-Alzheimer's disease: (named after the discoverer, Dr. Alzheimer) is the most common
type of dementia (60% of cases)
, Module question: Summarize what the progression of Alzheimer's disease often looks
like, being sure to incorporate the three time points in your summary. - Answers - Early
stages: problems with declarative memory and language. Social activities, daily
activities, and mood may be affected. Middle stages: progressive memory deterioration
and problems with common words and names. Problems with self-care. May have
spatial reasoning difficulties and may be unaware of the year/month/current location.
Final stages: completely unable to care for self.
Module question: Your grandmother is concerned that she might have Alzheimer's
disease. What is your response to her based on the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's
disease linked in this module? - Answers - I would tell my grandma that it's natural to
worry about Alzheimer's, I would also reassure her that memory changes are common
with aging, but it's important to distinguish between typical age-related changes and
those that might signal something more serious, like Alzheimer's. For example, while it's
normal to occasionally forget names or appointments and later remember them,
persistent memory loss that disrupts daily life—such as forgetting recently learned
information or asking the same questions repeatedly—could be a sign of Alzheimer's.
Other warning signs to be aware of include difficulty with planning or solving problems,
confusion about time or place, trouble understanding visual images, or problems with
speaking and writing. If she is experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to talk
to a doctor. Early detection can help with symptom management and maintaining
independence for as long as possible.
Module question: Summarize current findings regarding what causes AD. - Answers -
Research has ruled out many environmental substances (for example, aluminum and
aspartame) as primary causes of AD. However, the precise causes are still unknown.
While amlyoid plaques and neurofibrillay tangles characterize the brains of patients with
AD (and contribute to neural death and brain shrinkage), these abnormalities can also
be observed in the brains of asymptomatic individuals. This leads researchers to
investigate still further for insight into why individuals may function so differently with
and without the presence of these abnormal brain structures.
Module question: Compare and contrast the three theories discussed in this section.
What do you personally think it means to age successfully? - Answers - Disengagement
theory: older adults should withdraw from societal interaction to maintain life
satisfaction. Activity theory: the more active the older adult is, the better (if levels of
interaction decrease, they are often due to barriers that need to be overcome). Selective
Optimization with Compensation theory essentially says that older adults need to make
the best of the resources they have available, utilizing choice, practice, and creative
strategies to carry on with activities despite declining in some ways.
Compare and contrast Activity Theory and Selective Optimization with Compensation
Theory. Be sure to both "compare" and "contrast." - Answers - Activity theory is
suggests that older individuals are happiest when they partake in an activity. These
activites can range from: painting, volunteering, or even playing a sport (e.g. tennis).
Selective Optimization with Compensation Theory suggests that as older individuals
