Essay Quiz


1			Your next-door neighbors are a lovely couple whom you like very much. One day they confide in you that they are fast approaching middle age and are really dreading it. They have heard that once you turn 40, "everything begins to fall apart." They are particularly concerned about their health and their ability to continue their active lifestyle. What would you tell them? What physical changes are they likely to expect? What can they do to maintain their good health?




2			One of your friends has come to you for advice about his aunt. She is 58 years old, healthy, and has never smoked, drank, or had a serious physical illness. She was widowed about a year ago, and since then she has become increasingly involved with her local church. Your friend is worried that his aunt's sudden interest in religion is a sign of her inability to cope with the untimely death of her husband. Your friend asks for your thoughts on how to ensure his aunt's well-being. What do you tell him? Apply the research on religiosity in middle adulthood to address his concerns.




3			The Dove Corporation ran a series of advertisements in 2007 called "Campaign for Real Beauty" in which they showed a series of pictures of tastefully-presented middle-aged women wearing no clothes; each picture was captioned "too old to be in an anti-aging ad". The advertisements end with a simple statement, "Beauty has no age limit." The campaign generated considerable debate concerning the effectiveness of this approach for selling beauty products. At the heart of the debate was concern that "the American public is not ready to see women over 50 like this." Using your knowledge of physical and cognitive development in middle adulthood, address this comment. How well does this advertising campaign capture developmental concerns of women in middle age?




4			One of your friends confides in you that her parents just announced that they are getting a divorce after 28 years of marriage. While your friend is very upset and worried about how the whole family will adjust, she is particularly concerned about her mother. She explains that her mother has been a stay-at-home wife and mother for the last 25 years and has very few interests, activities, or skills outside the home. Your friend is extremely worried about how her mother will adjust to working, being alone, and creating her own leisure activities. Based on your understanding of development in middle adulthood, what can you tell your friend? What is the outlook for her mother during this difficult transition? What can her mother do to make her life more meaningful?




5			Ever since turning 55, your mother has constantly complained "I'm losing my mind," "My mind left with my youth," and "I can't remember anything any more." Apply your knowledge of intelligence and memory in middle adulthood to respond to your mother's comments. What can you tell her about cognitive changes during this period of the lifespan? Can you make any recommendations that will help her feel like she is strengthening her cognitive skills rather than losing them?

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