Social Cognition and Aging

Description: This quiz covers the topic of Social Cognition and Aging, focusing on how cognitive processes and social interactions change as individuals grow older.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: social cognition aging cognitive processes social interactions
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Which of the following is NOT a common cognitive change associated with aging?

  1. Decreased processing speed

  2. Improved working memory

  3. Difficulty in multitasking

  4. Reduced attention span


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

As individuals age, they typically experience a decline in cognitive abilities such as processing speed, multitasking, and attention span, but working memory is generally not affected.

What is the term for the tendency of older adults to focus on positive information and experiences while minimizing negative ones?

  1. Selective attention

  2. Positivity bias

  3. Negativity bias

  4. Cognitive dissonance


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Older adults often exhibit a positivity bias, which involves selectively attending to and remembering positive information while downplaying negative information.

Which of the following is NOT a common social change associated with aging?

  1. Increased social isolation

  2. Decreased social support

  3. Improved social skills

  4. Reduced participation in social activities


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

As individuals age, they may experience social changes such as increased social isolation, decreased social support, and reduced participation in social activities, but social skills generally do not improve.

What is the term for the tendency of older adults to rely on past experiences and knowledge rather than seeking out new information?

  1. Cognitive rigidity

  2. Open-mindedness

  3. Intellectual curiosity

  4. Cognitive flexibility


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Older adults may exhibit cognitive rigidity, which involves a preference for familiar information and a reluctance to consider new perspectives or ideas.

Which of the following is NOT a common emotional change associated with aging?

  1. Increased emotional reactivity

  2. Decreased emotional regulation

  3. Improved emotional well-being

  4. Reduced emotional expressiveness


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

As individuals age, they may experience emotional changes such as increased emotional reactivity, decreased emotional regulation, and reduced emotional expressiveness, but emotional well-being is generally not affected.

What is the term for the tendency of older adults to view themselves and their lives in a more positive light?

  1. Self-enhancement

  2. Self-criticism

  3. Self-awareness

  4. Self-acceptance


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Older adults often exhibit self-enhancement, which involves viewing themselves and their lives in a more positive light, possibly as a coping mechanism for age-related challenges.

Which of the following is NOT a common strategy used by older adults to maintain social connections?

  1. Using technology to stay connected

  2. Participating in social activities

  3. Volunteering in the community

  4. Avoiding social interactions


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Older adults often use strategies such as using technology, participating in social activities, and volunteering to maintain social connections, while avoiding social interactions is generally not a common strategy.

What is the term for the tendency of older adults to rely on stereotypes and generalizations when making judgments about others?

  1. Ageism

  2. Prejudice

  3. Discrimination

  4. Social categorization


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Ageism refers to the tendency to hold negative stereotypes and attitudes towards older adults, which can influence judgments and interactions.

Which of the following is NOT a common challenge faced by older adults in social interactions?

  1. Difficulty in understanding social cues

  2. Reduced ability to communicate effectively

  3. Improved social skills

  4. Increased social anxiety


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Older adults may face challenges such as difficulty understanding social cues, reduced ability to communicate effectively, and increased social anxiety, but improved social skills are generally not a common challenge.

What is the term for the tendency of older adults to focus on the present moment rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future?

  1. Present-centeredness

  2. Future-orientation

  3. Past-orientation

  4. Time perspective


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Present-centeredness refers to the tendency of older adults to focus on the present moment and enjoy current experiences, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

Which of the following is NOT a common coping mechanism used by older adults to deal with age-related challenges?

  1. Seeking social support

  2. Engaging in meaningful activities

  3. Denying or avoiding problems

  4. Maintaining a positive outlook


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Older adults often use coping mechanisms such as seeking social support, engaging in meaningful activities, and maintaining a positive outlook, while denying or avoiding problems is generally not a common coping mechanism.

What is the term for the tendency of older adults to experience a decline in their ability to process and remember new information?

  1. Age-related memory loss

  2. Dementia

  3. Alzheimer's disease

  4. Cognitive impairment


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Age-related memory loss refers to the gradual decline in memory function that is commonly associated with aging, affecting the ability to process and remember new information.

Which of the following is NOT a common strategy used by older adults to maintain cognitive functioning?

  1. Engaging in mentally stimulating activities

  2. Getting regular exercise

  3. Eating a healthy diet

  4. Avoiding social interactions


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Older adults often use strategies such as engaging in mentally stimulating activities, getting regular exercise, and eating a healthy diet to maintain cognitive functioning, while avoiding social interactions is generally not a common strategy.

What is the term for the tendency of older adults to rely on their past experiences and knowledge rather than seeking out new information?

  1. Cognitive rigidity

  2. Open-mindedness

  3. Intellectual curiosity

  4. Cognitive flexibility


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Cognitive rigidity refers to the tendency of older adults to rely heavily on their past experiences and knowledge, making them less receptive to new information and perspectives.

Which of the following is NOT a common challenge faced by older adults in social interactions?

  1. Difficulty in understanding social cues

  2. Reduced ability to communicate effectively

  3. Improved social skills

  4. Increased social anxiety


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Older adults may face challenges such as difficulty understanding social cues, reduced ability to communicate effectively, and increased social anxiety, but improved social skills are generally not a common challenge.

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