Deck 3: A: Evolutionary Psychology

Question 1

Who was the author of a manuscript that described change over time in the traits of animals as being the result of selective pressure from the environment?

A)Wallace
B)Darwin
C)Lyell
D)Lamarck

Answer 1

Wallace

Question 2

In evolutionary terms,how is an individual's success measured?

A)By the amount of territory an individual controls.
B)By the degree of comfort an individual attains.
C)By the number of offspring an individual produces.
D)By the level of intelligence an individual acquires.

Answer 2

By the number of offspring an individual produces.

Question 3

Who wrote the book,The Origin of Species ?

A)Sigmund Freud.
B)Charles Darwin.
C)Sir Charles Sherrington.
D)Peter and Rosemary Grant.

Answer 3

Charles Darwin.

Question 4

Nature is to nurture as heredity is to

A)evolution.
B)aggression.
C)environment.
D)natural selection.

Question 5

What is the best definition of sexual selection?

A)A theory of selecting a mate based on features that are attractive that leads to an increase in those features.
B)A theory of survival whereby only individuals with features that are suited for the environment are able to survive.
C)A theory of female choice that explains how males may possess features that impede their survival but attract females.
D)A theory of male-male competition that explains how males may possess features that allow them to compete with other males for access to females.

Question 6

Which statement suppports the theory of natural selection?

A)organisms prefer natural environments to artificial habitats.
B)each organism has the ability to choose which of nature's laws it will follow.
C)organisms that are well adapted to their environment will produce more offspring.
D)organisms that are well adapted to their environment will produce fewer offspring.

Question 7

A finch lives in an environment in which seeds of all types are plentiful.Under these circumstances,which statement about beak size would be true?

A)It would be irrelevant to survival.
B)It would enhance chances of survival.
C)It would detract from chances of survival.
D)It would enhance chances of survival,but not the offspring's chances.

Question 8

Which one of Darwin's colleagues believed that change over time was the result of selective pressure from the environment?

A)Lamarck
B)Wallace
C)Lyell
D)Galton

Question 9

Marge firmly believes that her grandson is aggressive toward other children because his uncle who lives overseas was the same way,and his late grandfather was too.What does Marge most likely believe?

A)nature is more important than nurture in determining aggression.
B)nurture is more important than nature in determining aggression.
C)the environment is more important than genes in determining aggression.
D)both the environment and genes contribute to aggression.

Question 10

A rabbit has white fur for camouflage.Why did the white fur most likely evolve?

A)Due to chance
B)Due to genetics
C)Due to natural selection
D)Due to sexual selection

Question 11

A previously mild-mannered individual has become violent and hostile since moving to a low rental district.What is the most likely cause of this change in behaviour?

A)nature.
B)biology.
C)nurture.
D)heredity.

Question 12

Which statement best exemplifies sexual selection?

A)A crab has claws to make a safe shelter.
B)A crab has claws to defend against predators.
C)A crab has claws to compete with other male crabs
D)A crab has claws to catch food.

Question 13

Which scenario provides the best example of sexual selection?

A)A rabbit has white fur for camouflage.
B)A rabbit has white fur to attract female rabbits.
C)A rabbit has white fur for increased thermal properties.
D)A rabbit has white fur because foxes cannot perceive the colour white.

Question 14

According to Charles Darwin's research on the Galápagos Islands,which factor differentiated finches that survived from those that didn't survive?

A)the shape of their beaks.
B)the nesting sites they chose.
C)their speed and endurance in flight.
D)their ability to camouflage their eggs.

Question 15

How did Charles Darwin explain the variety of species he observed during his exploration of the Galápagos Islands?

A)bipedalism.
B)encephalization.
C)natural selection.
D)behaviour genetics.

Question 16

An individual found a species of giraffe on a remote island,where every giraffe had the same neck length.A drought had apparently afflicted the island as the leaves below the level that the giraffes could reach were almost depleted.What would likely happen to the neck length of this species of giraffe over many generations if the environmental conditions continued?

A)Neck length will increase.
B)Neck length will decrease.
C)Neck length will not change.
D)Neck length will not change but leg length will.

Question 17

Stewart believes that he is more aggressive than most people because he watched a great deal of violent television as a child.What does Stewart most likely believe to be the primary source of his aggression?

A)nature.
B)nurture.
C)biology.
D)heredity.

Question 18

A moose uses its antlers to compete with other males for access to females.Which term best describes this phenomenon?

A)natural selection
B)male dominance
C)sexual selection
D)survival of the fittest

Question 19

There are two types of guinea pigs that live in a dark brown environment.Their predators are birds of prey that fly overhead.One type of guinea pig has white fur and the other type has dark brown fur.What would one expect to happen to fur colour in the guinea pig population over many generations?

A)They would all have a light brown fur colour from mixing the dark brown with white.
B)They would all have dark brown fur.
C)They would all have white fur.
D)There would be no change in fur colour over generations.

Question 20

One explanation for new species is that they emerge when two populations from an original species become geographically separate.What has contemporary research shown us with respect to this view?

A)geographically isolating a species brings about its extinction.
B)it is not possible to geographically isolate members of a species from one another.
C)there are many examples of new species that have emerged without geographic isolation.
D)new species rarely have ancestors in common with the original species.

Question 21

Why is imprinting important for many species of animals?

A)It helps them to learn who their mother is.
B)It ensures that they stay close to their mother early in life.
C)It makes predators unaware of their location.
D)It allows animals to communicate the locations of important events in their environment.

Question 22

Which research project would likely be of the most interest to someone who studies ethology?

A)Looking at the factors that affect a rat's ability to find food in a maze.
B)Examining the communication system of honey bees.
C)Researching the symbol-acquisition skills of pigeons.
D)Exploring the salivation response of dogs to cues for food.

Question 23

Jenny has just given birth to a baby boy.She hopes to expose her son to as many opportunities as possible to help shape his behaviour.Which theory best reflects Jenny's belief?

A)genetic determinism.
B)social Darwinism.
C)environmental determinism.
D)eugenics.

Question 24

Which psychological perspective supports environmental determinism?

A)Cognitive
B)Behaviourism
C)Psychoanalytic
D)Humanistic

Question 25

A 19-year old male is describing his ideal mate for marriage.He reports various physical and character traits that are important to him.What is he likely to say is the ideal age for his mate,based on the research of Young,Critelli,and Keith (2005)?

A)Almost 17 years.
B)The same age as himself.
C)Almost 19 years.
D)Older than himself.

Question 26

A researcher discovers that more people are willing to risk their own lives to save a close relative than a distant relative,friend,or stranger.Which statement about this scenario is true?

A)It supports the theory of inclusive fitness.
B)It is an example of reciprocal altruism.
C)It is an example of inclusive altruism.
D)It is not true altruism since only certain individuals are rescued.

Question 27

Mark believes that one's destiny is set at birth according to the genes that the person inherits.Mark further believes that anything that happens to the child over time will have no effect on his or her destiny.What misuse of Darwinian theory is Mark advocating?

A)eugenics
B)social Darwinism
C)genetic destiny
D)genetic determinism

Question 28

It is acceptable to subject people to terrible working conditions and poor pay because the fittest individuals will survive.Which term best captures this philosophy?

A)social evolution.
B)genetic determinism.
C)social Darwinism.
D)discrimination.

Question 29

Stella was the first one that the duckling saw upon hatching,and as a result,the duckling follows Stella everywhere.Stella wonders not only what caused the duckling to attach to her over everything else that was in the barn at the time of the hatching,but she also wonders why ducklings have evolved the ability to learn this attachment so quickly.Which ethologist would most likely sympathize with Stella's questions?

A)Konrad Lorenz
B)Nikolaas Tinbergen
C)Karl von Frisch
D)B)F.Skinner

Question 30

Adam is having a discussion with his aunt about applying the principles of natural selection to human social systems.Which topic are they most likely discussing?

A)genetic determinism.
B)social Darwinism.
C)sexual selection.
D)eugenics.

Question 31

Members of a species who possess the range of physical and psychological attributes best adapted to the environment are most likely to survive.Which term best captures this concept?

A)natural selection.
B)genotypical structure.
C)phenotypical structure.
D)survival of the fittest.

Question 32

As discussed in the text,Young,Critelli and Keith (2005)asked male introductory psychology students about the age preference for females in a number of social scenarios.What was found to be the mean age of preference for marriage?

A)16.87 years
B)17.76 years
C)18.95 years
D)19.92 years

Question 33

Sara believes that people who have a mental or physical disability should not be permitted to have children because only biologically superior people should reproduce.Which term is most reflective of Sara's belief?

A)genetic determinism.
B)eugenics.
C)social Darwinism.
D)sexual selection.

Question 34

Which trait would have most likely evolved through sexual selection?

A)A peacock's flamboyant plumage.
B)A giraffe's long neck.
C)A shark's razor sharp teeth.
D)A turtle's shell.

Question 35

Craig witnessed a car accident.The car hit the curb and flipped over,and suddenly caught on fire.Without thought for his own safety,Craig dove toward the burning car to pull the driver out to safety.Which term best reflects Craig's behaviour?

A)selflessness
B)inclusive fitness
C)exclusive fitness
D)altruism

Question 36

In 1890 a textbook stated that complex mental functions have an adaptive significance for the ancestors of the organisms that are currently displaying them.Who is likely to be the author of this text?

A)Charles Darwin
B)Herbert Spencer
C)Edward Thorndike
D)William James

Question 37

What evolutionary prediction was tested by Young,Critelli,and Keith (2005)when they asked male students about their age preference for females within a number of social scenarios?

A)Males would show an evolved predisposition for younger females for long-term mating,but that age would be less relevant for a brief sexual encounter.
B)Males would show an evolved predisposition for older females for long-term mating,but that age would be less relevant for a brief sexual encounter.
C)Males would show an evolved predisposition for younger females for a brief sexual encounter,but that age would be less relevant for long-term mating.
D)Males would show an evolved predisposition for older females for a brief sexual encounter,but that age would be less relevant for long-term mating.

Question 38

In the first psychology textbook that was published in 1890,what did William James argue?

A)That physical traits existed for some adaptive function.
B)That psychological traits existed for some adaptive function.
C)That physical traits evolved but psychological traits did not.
D)That only the fittest individuals within a species pass on their genes.

Question 39

Bruce believes that when one is born,the mind is like a tabula rasa.Which statement is Bruce most likely to make when his first son is born?

A)"I will teach you everything I know."
B)"I hope you inherited your mother's good temper!"
C)"Maybe he'll be smart like my late grandfather."
D)"He's going to be good with cars.Everyone in our family is good with cars."

Question 40

Who started the eugenics movement and believed that genius was inherited?

A)Charles Darwin
B)Herbert Spencer
C)Lewis Terman
D)Sir Francis Galton

Question 41

Frank and Joan have been married for a few years,each bringing with them a child from their previous marriage.Although the children are close in age,they fight constantly,and when they do,Frank always blames Joan's child and Joan always blames Frank's child.Which term is most consistent with this scenario?

A)reciprocal altruism.
B)the Cinderella Effect.
C)Trivers theory.
D)genetic determinism.

Question 42

Although both parents have brown eyes,their baby has blue eyes.Which term refers to the fact that both parents must have had blue eyes as part of their genetic makeup?

A)phenotype
B)genotype
C)archetype
D)biotype

Question 43

Who wrote a book called "Sociobiology: The New Synthesis",in which it was argued that some of the most complex human behaviour could be explained by a synthesis of cellular biology,physiology,ethology,comparative psychology,behavioural ecology,and population biology?

A)Edward O.Wilson
B)David M.Buss
C)Martin Daly
D)Margo Wilson

Question 44

What was missing from Darwin's theory that led people at the time to question it?

A)It lacked evidence from the real world.
B)It lacked a means of explaining the traits of some species that clearly impede their survival.
C)It lacked a valid theory of inheritance.
D)It failed to account for how learned behaviours can then become inherited in later generations.

Question 45

Other than Harlow's study,what source encouraged the study of the evolution of behaviour?

A)genetics
B)cognitive revolution
C)behaviourism
D)comparative psychology

Question 46

What is the primary argument against evolutionary psychology?

A)It places too much emphasis on the environment.
B)It places too much emphasis on genetic factors.
C)It minimizes the influence of heritable factors.
D)It focuses too much on how learned behaviours become inherited.

Question 47

On Tuesdays,Julie buys coffee for herself and her friend,Jason.On Thursdays,Jason buys coffee for both of them.Which term best describes this scenario?

A)reciprocal altruism.
B)inclusive fitness.
C)altruism.
D)inclusive altruism.

Question 48

In the vocabulary of evolutionary theory,what does one inherit from their parents?

A)a genotype
B)a phenotype
C)a behavioural repertoire
D)outward appearance

Question 49

Jake and his sister fight constantly.According to Trivers' theory,how should this behaviour be characterized?

A)Somewhat abnormal,since brothers and sisters share genetic material.
B)abnormal,given that it is a brother-sister pair and not two brothers or two sisters.
C)normal,because each sibling wants the limited resources that the parents can offer.
D)normal,because as children age they fight to get the attention of the parents.

Question 50

What is the correct sequence for the process of natural selection?

A)Competition,environmental pressure,reproductive success,selection of the fittest phenotype
B)selection of the fittest phenotype,competition,reproductive success,environmental pressure
C)reproductive success,selection of the fittest phenotype ,environmental pressure,competition
D)environmental pressure,competition,selection of fittest phenotype,reproductive success

Question 51

When Wilson and Daly (2004)showed undergraduate men photographs of attractive females,what did they discover?

A)The men preferred a large,immediate payment over a delayed,small payment.
B)The men preferred a smaller,immediate payment over a delayed,larger payment.
C)The men showed no preference between a small immediate payment or a large delayed payment.
D)The men showed the same preferences as women who were shown photographs of attractive men.

Question 52

Which author suggested that much of the resistance to Edward O.Wilson's book stemmed from a misunderstanding about evolutionary psychology?

A)Margo Wilson
B)Martin Daly
C)Herbert Spencer
D)David Buss

Question 53

In which way did Harlow's monkeys violate the main assumption of behaviourism?

A)the wire mother with food was preferred.
B)the cloth mother without food was preferred.
C)neither mother was preferred as the monkeys spent equal time with each.
D)monkeys imprinted on the mother that was first seen

Question 54

Which area of research is most commonly linked with Gregor Mendel?

A)how human intelligence is inherited.
B)ethnic and racial differences.
C)identical and fraternal twins.
D)the physical features of garden peas.

Question 55

From a genetic perspective,which term best characterizes both hair colour and body build?

A)genotype.
B)phenotype.
C)adaptations.
D)selective advantage.

Question 56

John and Marsha are applying for a job at Nuclear Inc.During the interview process,they learn that the job pays very well,but that there are health risks involved in the job.According to Wilson and Daly,who is more likely to accept the job?

A)John,because men are traditionally the breadwinners.
B)John,because men are more likely to engage in risky behaviour.
C)Marsha,because a woman's status increases exponentially if she has a well-paying job.
D)Marsha,because women are more concerned with their status relative to same-sex rivals.

Question 57

As a new mother looks upon her new baby,she sees her mother's chin,her spouse's hands,and her own skin tone.What term best describes the characteristics that the new mother is observing?

A)selective advantage.
B)adaptations.
C)phenotype.
D)genotype.

Question 58

Which situation is an example of inclusive fitness?

A)An alligator eats her young as a way to survive when food is scarce.
B)A man rescues his best friend from a burning building.
C)A seagull risks her cover by warning her offspring,but not other gulls,or an approaching predator.
D)A dog finds a stray kitten and takes care of it.

Question 59

What research evidence suggests that a mechanism to recognize cheaters has evolved in humans?

A)Subjects had a better memory of those individuals who had been categorized as cheaters.
B)Subjects became aggressive toward individuals who had been categorized as cheaters.
C)Subjects can be taught to recognize cheating behaviour in another.
D)Subjects who are good at cheating are also better at detecting cheaters.

Question 60

Which term refers to the idea that people perform altruistic behaviours because they expect that others will perform similar behaviours for them in the future?

A)altruism.
B)inclusive fitness.
C)reciprocal altruism.
D)selective altruism.

Question 61

What was the goal of the Human Genome Project?

A)To identify all of the human genes.
B)To verify Darwin's theory of natural selection.
C)To show research support for the major events in human evolution.
D)To discover the sources of genetically transmitted diseases

Question 62

After bipedalism and encephalization,what was the most important evolutionary milestone for the human species?

A)Tool use
B)Weaponry
C)Music
D)Language

Question 63

Which structure is a segment of DNA?

A)A chromosome.
B)A gene.
C)A double helix.
D)DNA-R

Question 64

Which statement about sex chromosomes is most accurate?

A)They contain 23 pairs of genes.
B)They are identical for males and females.
C)They determine eye and hair colour.
D)They code the development of male or female physical characteristics.

Question 65

Which field of study focuses on the causal link between inheritance and behaviour?

A)evolutionary psychology.
B)sociobiology.
C)human behaviour genetics.
D)genetic psychology.

Question 66

Suppose the heritability estimate of mathematical ability is 0.90,and two mathematical geniuses have children.What does one know for certain about the mathematical ability of the children?

A)The majority of the children from this couple will be mathematical geniuses as well.
B)The children will require practice to become mathematical geniuses like their parents.
C)Practice will have little influence on whether the children become mathematical geniuses or not.
D)No predictions can be made with respect to the mathematical abilities of the children.

Question 67

Dr.Stayner is assessing pairs of monozygotic and dizygotic twins on attention span.What is Dr.Stayner most likely investigating?

A)techniques to improve attention span.
B)if one twin learns ADHD from the other twin.
C)the heritability of attention span.
D)screening tools for attentional problems.

Question 68

Why was bipedalism an important contributor to human evolution?

A)It led to complex thinking and reasoning.
B)It allowed humans to swim.
C)It enabled tool use.
D)It allowed humans to explore new environments.

Question 69

Which sequence of words accurately lists genetic materials from smallest to largest?

A)single cell,gene,DNA,chromosome
B)gene,chromosome,single cell,DNA
C)gene,DNA,chromosome,single cell
D)DNA,gene,chromosome,single cell

Question 70

Kelly has Huntington's disease,which results in involuntary movements and abnormal mental processes.What is the cause of Kelly's disease?

A)a mutation in one gene.
B)too many chromosomes.
C)too few chromosomes.
D)three #21 chromosomes

Question 71

Which statement is true with respect to sex chromosomes?

A)Humans inherit a Y chromosome from the father and either an X or Y from the mother.
B)Humans inherit an X chromosome from the mother and either an X or Y from the father.
C)Humans inherit an X chromosome from the father and either an X or Y from the mother.
D)Humans inherit a Y chromosome from the mother and either an X or Y from the father.

Question 72

A genetics professor has asked the students to simplify the process of natural selection into a sequence of steps.Which sequence is correct?

A)competition for resources,reproductive success,frequency of genotype increases,selection of fittest genotype,environmental pressure
B)reproductive success,competition for resources,frequency of genotype increases,environmental pressure,selection of fittest genotype
C)selection of fittest genotype,competition for resources,environmental pressure,reproductive success,frequency of that genotype increases
D)environmental pressure,competition for resources,selection of fittest genotype,reproductive success,frequency of genotype increases

Question 73

On which scale is heritability measured?

A)-1.0 to +3.1.
B)0 to 1.
C)0 to 10.
D)1 to 100.

Question 74

Dr.Tulip discovered that adopted individuals have intelligence levels that are closer to those of their biological parents than those of their adoptive parents.Which statement best explains this finding?

A)Intelligence is correlated with,but not caused by biology
B)Intelligence is primarily environmentally determined
C)Intelligence is heritable
D)Intelligence is not determined by the environment

Question 75

Which group of rhesus monkeys studied by Newman et al.(2005)showed the highest levels of aggression,as measured by competition for food?

A)The monkeys with low-activity variation of the gene who were raised without maternal care.
B)The monkeys with low-activity variation of the gene who were raised by their mother.
C)The monkeys with high-activity variation of the gene who were raised without maternal care.
D)The monkeys with high-activity variation of the gene who were raised by their mother.

Question 76

Which pairs of sex chromosomes are typical of human males and females,respectively?

A)XY,XX
B)XX,XY
C)YY,XX
D)XX,YY

Question 77

Amy is reading an article titled "Scientists Find Creative Gene".What information should the article provide if it is a reputable media report?

A)The definition of creativity.
B)A description of how creativity develops.
C)The consequences of being non-creative.
D)The contexts in which creativity has helped the human species survive.

Question 78

Newman et al.(2005)conducted a study on the nature of aggression among male rhesus monkeys.What did the monkeys' level of aggression depend upon?

A)genetics.
B)environment.
C)neither genetics nor environment.
D)both genetics and environment.

Question 79

Dr.Spencer determined that the heritability of creativity was nearly 0.What does this finding indicate?

A)creativity is largely a product of environmental influences.
B)creativity is largely a product of genetic influences.
C)creativity is equally determined by genetic and environmental influences.
D)the heritability of creativity was not measurable.

Question 80

Which two major adaptations in the evolution of the human species were favoured by natural selection?

A)fire and the wheel.
B)reading and writing.
C)language and emotion.
D)bipedalism and encephalization.