PSYC 140 MODULE 7 EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
Module question: Give an overview of the types of physical changes that occur in early
adulthood. Why is this type of development considered multidirectional? - ANS The list
given in this module shows an overview of certain types of physical decline:
-Maximum heart rate may gradually decrease
-Respiratory capacity gradually decreases (becomes noticeable after age 25 under heavy
exercise conditions)
-Lens of the eye stiffens, thickens
-Sensitivity to sound at high frequencies decreases
-Fast-twitch muscles decline in size and amount
Multidirectional indicates that there are both declines and improvements in the same person
during this time period.
Module question: What did this Module say about differences in sexual behavior between
married and unmarried couples? - ANS Married couples report having more sex than
unmarried individuals.
Module question: How would you summarize the information on the likelihood of couples
divorcing? Were you surprised by any of the information regarding divorce statistics? Why or
why not? - ANS Your answer should include the following: a discussion of how the "50%"
figure is not a literal number but is rather a projection of the likelihood of couples to divorce at
the present time. This rate might be much higher or much lower for any particular couple. If you
reverse the trends discussed in this module, you can see that the odds for a particular couple to
get a divorce are higher if: money is tight, if the couple have a child before marrying, if at least
one partner was a child of a divorce, if neither partner is religious, and if one partner never
attended college.
1
,Module question: How would you summarize postformal thought? How does postformal
thought differ from Piaget's formal operations? - ANS Although different theories describe
this stage (and although there is controversy over whether adults actually reach this stage!), it
generally consists of being able to reflect and make more complex judgments, and seeing
multiple perspectives and points of view.
Although people in formal operations demonstrate abstract thinking, postformal thought shows
more flexibility and humility as people see multiple perspectives.
Module question: Can you see examples of postformal thinking in your own life or in the lives of
others you know? How would you classify that example using Perry's stages? -
ANS [Note]Answers will vary, but should identify one of Perry's 3 stages (dualistic,
multiple thinking, commitment within relativism).
An example of postformal thinking in my life might be how I approach political debates. In my
younger years, I may have thought in more dualistic terms—believing my viewpoint was "right"
and the opposing side was "wrong." Over time, I've come to recognize that many issues have
multiple valid perspectives and that understanding different viewpoints requires considering the
complexities and nuances behind them. For instance, when discussing healthcare policy, I can
see valid concerns on both sides of the debate, such as the need for universal healthcare and
the challenges of its funding. This shift from black-and-white thinking to appreciating multiple
perspectives aligns with Perry's multiple thinking stage. Additionally, after reflecting on the
different viewpoints, I've made an informed decision about what I believe should be prioritized
in policy, which aligns with commitment within relativism, recognizing the validity of other
perspectives but making a commitment to my own beliefs based on the information and
arguments I find most compelling.
Module question: Describe Sternberg's three components of love. - ANS Intimacy:
emotional connectedness, involves warm communication. Passion: biological closeness, sexual
and romantic feelings. Commitment: cognitive component, a decision to stay together.
Module question: Choose three of the 7 types of love discussed in this module and create a
profile of a fictional couple that exemplifies these types of love. - ANS Lena and Jake's
relationship evolves through three types of love as described by Sternberg. Initially, they
experience infatuation, marked by intense passion and physical attraction with little emotional
connection or commitment. Over time, their relationship deepens into companionate love,
where their emotional bond grows, and they commit to each other's well-being, though the
initial passion fades. Years later, their love matures into consummate love, where they combine
intimacy, passion, and commitment, resulting in a deep, lasting connection. Their journey
2
, reflects how love can evolve from excitement and physical attraction to a stable, fulfilling
partnership, with each stage building upon the previous one.
Module question: Identify common symptoms of menopause. - ANS Mood fluctuations,
hot flashes, shrinking of reproductive organs, difficulties becoming sexually aroused, decreased
skin elasticity, loss of bone mass, raised blood pressure.
Module question: Why don't all women experience symptoms of menopause? - ANS A
woman's experience of menopause depends on a variety of factors, including race and culture.
Module question: What are the pros and cons of hormone therapy? - ANS Pros: Most
effective treatment for menopausal symptoms, protect against osteoporosis. Cons: Increased
risk of certain cancers—breast, uterine, heart attack, stroke in some women.
Module question: What cognitive improvements can be observed in middle age, according to
the Seattle Longitudinal Study? - ANS Verbal abilities/increased vocabulary, spatial
reasoning, simple math/problem solving, abstract reasoning.
Module question: Given what you learned in this module, how would you respond to the claim,
"everyone goes through a mid-life crisis"? - ANS Suggested response: It is actually untrue
that all middle aged adults experience a mid-life crisis. On the contrary, very few adults do, and
those who do tend to be men who feel that they were prevented in some way from achieving
some major life goal. It is a far more typical experience for a middle aged adult to experience a
time of transition as they take stock of where they are in life, where they've been, and where
they'd like to be.
Module question: Reflection questions: What are your thoughts about whether most emerging
adults are successfully launched? Also, do you know of any adult who epitomizes the "sandwich
generation"? If so, what roles and responsibilities does this individual have? Does he/she show
signs of caregiver strain? - ANS Most emerging adults today experience a more gradual
process of "launching," where they may come and go from the family home multiple times
rather than leaving all at once. This extended transition is influenced by societal changes like
longer education and financial pressures, which create emotional and financial strain for
middle-aged parents who continue to support their adult children. While this fluid launching
process can delay full independence, it also allows emerging adults more time to develop on
their own terms. Regarding the "sandwich generation," I know adults who care for both aging
parents and adult children, often experiencing caregiver strain from the emotional and physical
3
AND ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
Module question: Give an overview of the types of physical changes that occur in early
adulthood. Why is this type of development considered multidirectional? - ANS The list
given in this module shows an overview of certain types of physical decline:
-Maximum heart rate may gradually decrease
-Respiratory capacity gradually decreases (becomes noticeable after age 25 under heavy
exercise conditions)
-Lens of the eye stiffens, thickens
-Sensitivity to sound at high frequencies decreases
-Fast-twitch muscles decline in size and amount
Multidirectional indicates that there are both declines and improvements in the same person
during this time period.
Module question: What did this Module say about differences in sexual behavior between
married and unmarried couples? - ANS Married couples report having more sex than
unmarried individuals.
Module question: How would you summarize the information on the likelihood of couples
divorcing? Were you surprised by any of the information regarding divorce statistics? Why or
why not? - ANS Your answer should include the following: a discussion of how the "50%"
figure is not a literal number but is rather a projection of the likelihood of couples to divorce at
the present time. This rate might be much higher or much lower for any particular couple. If you
reverse the trends discussed in this module, you can see that the odds for a particular couple to
get a divorce are higher if: money is tight, if the couple have a child before marrying, if at least
one partner was a child of a divorce, if neither partner is religious, and if one partner never
attended college.
1
,Module question: How would you summarize postformal thought? How does postformal
thought differ from Piaget's formal operations? - ANS Although different theories describe
this stage (and although there is controversy over whether adults actually reach this stage!), it
generally consists of being able to reflect and make more complex judgments, and seeing
multiple perspectives and points of view.
Although people in formal operations demonstrate abstract thinking, postformal thought shows
more flexibility and humility as people see multiple perspectives.
Module question: Can you see examples of postformal thinking in your own life or in the lives of
others you know? How would you classify that example using Perry's stages? -
ANS [Note]Answers will vary, but should identify one of Perry's 3 stages (dualistic,
multiple thinking, commitment within relativism).
An example of postformal thinking in my life might be how I approach political debates. In my
younger years, I may have thought in more dualistic terms—believing my viewpoint was "right"
and the opposing side was "wrong." Over time, I've come to recognize that many issues have
multiple valid perspectives and that understanding different viewpoints requires considering the
complexities and nuances behind them. For instance, when discussing healthcare policy, I can
see valid concerns on both sides of the debate, such as the need for universal healthcare and
the challenges of its funding. This shift from black-and-white thinking to appreciating multiple
perspectives aligns with Perry's multiple thinking stage. Additionally, after reflecting on the
different viewpoints, I've made an informed decision about what I believe should be prioritized
in policy, which aligns with commitment within relativism, recognizing the validity of other
perspectives but making a commitment to my own beliefs based on the information and
arguments I find most compelling.
Module question: Describe Sternberg's three components of love. - ANS Intimacy:
emotional connectedness, involves warm communication. Passion: biological closeness, sexual
and romantic feelings. Commitment: cognitive component, a decision to stay together.
Module question: Choose three of the 7 types of love discussed in this module and create a
profile of a fictional couple that exemplifies these types of love. - ANS Lena and Jake's
relationship evolves through three types of love as described by Sternberg. Initially, they
experience infatuation, marked by intense passion and physical attraction with little emotional
connection or commitment. Over time, their relationship deepens into companionate love,
where their emotional bond grows, and they commit to each other's well-being, though the
initial passion fades. Years later, their love matures into consummate love, where they combine
intimacy, passion, and commitment, resulting in a deep, lasting connection. Their journey
2
, reflects how love can evolve from excitement and physical attraction to a stable, fulfilling
partnership, with each stage building upon the previous one.
Module question: Identify common symptoms of menopause. - ANS Mood fluctuations,
hot flashes, shrinking of reproductive organs, difficulties becoming sexually aroused, decreased
skin elasticity, loss of bone mass, raised blood pressure.
Module question: Why don't all women experience symptoms of menopause? - ANS A
woman's experience of menopause depends on a variety of factors, including race and culture.
Module question: What are the pros and cons of hormone therapy? - ANS Pros: Most
effective treatment for menopausal symptoms, protect against osteoporosis. Cons: Increased
risk of certain cancers—breast, uterine, heart attack, stroke in some women.
Module question: What cognitive improvements can be observed in middle age, according to
the Seattle Longitudinal Study? - ANS Verbal abilities/increased vocabulary, spatial
reasoning, simple math/problem solving, abstract reasoning.
Module question: Given what you learned in this module, how would you respond to the claim,
"everyone goes through a mid-life crisis"? - ANS Suggested response: It is actually untrue
that all middle aged adults experience a mid-life crisis. On the contrary, very few adults do, and
those who do tend to be men who feel that they were prevented in some way from achieving
some major life goal. It is a far more typical experience for a middle aged adult to experience a
time of transition as they take stock of where they are in life, where they've been, and where
they'd like to be.
Module question: Reflection questions: What are your thoughts about whether most emerging
adults are successfully launched? Also, do you know of any adult who epitomizes the "sandwich
generation"? If so, what roles and responsibilities does this individual have? Does he/she show
signs of caregiver strain? - ANS Most emerging adults today experience a more gradual
process of "launching," where they may come and go from the family home multiple times
rather than leaving all at once. This extended transition is influenced by societal changes like
longer education and financial pressures, which create emotional and financial strain for
middle-aged parents who continue to support their adult children. While this fluid launching
process can delay full independence, it also allows emerging adults more time to develop on
their own terms. Regarding the "sandwich generation," I know adults who care for both aging
parents and adult children, often experiencing caregiver strain from the emotional and physical
3
