Which of the following statements regarding changes in midlife is true?

• A. Cognitive abilities such as vocabulary and general knowledge often remain stable or may even improve during midlife.
• B. Physical health typically improves significantly during midlife compared to young adulthood.
• C. Personality traits tend to become highly unstable and unpredictable during midlife.
• D. Most individuals experience a dramatic and universal midlife crisis that leads to major life changes.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of midlife development, which typically refers to the period between approximately 40 to 65 years of age, and recognize that changes during this stage can be physical, cognitive, and psychological.
2. Step 2: Review research findings on cognitive abilities during midlife, noting that while some cognitive functions like processing speed may decline slightly, others such as vocabulary and general knowledge tend to remain stable or even improve due to accumulated experience and learning.
3. Step 3: Examine physical health trends in midlife, understanding that physical health generally does not improve compared to young adulthood; instead, many individuals may begin to experience gradual declines or increased health challenges.
4. Step 4: Consider personality trait stability, which research shows tends to be relatively stable across adulthood, including midlife, rather than becoming highly unstable or unpredictable.
5. Step 5: Evaluate the concept of a midlife crisis, recognizing that while some individuals may experience significant life changes, a dramatic and universal midlife crisis is not supported by empirical evidence and is not experienced by most people.