Essay Quiz


1			Describe the changes in the ages of the U.S. and world population that are expected in the next few decades. What types of people are most likely to be in the oldest populations? (Consider gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geography in your answer to this last question.)




2			Summarize in your own words the basic ideas of the following theories of aging: programmed senescence, endocrine theory, immunological theory, wear-and-tear theory, free-radical theory, rate-of-living theory, autoimmune theory, and evolutionary theory.




3			List at least four physical changes in organs, sensory capacity, or motor skills that people can expect as they age. For each change, describe what, if anything, people can do to compensate for age-related losses.




4			Summarize in your own words what is known about the symptoms, causes and risk factors, and possibilities for treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.




5			In your own words, what is wisdom? Describe psychological research on three aspects of wisdom: social judgments, personality, and cognitive expertise. Describe an example of a person you consider wise. Do you need to be old to have wisdom?