Question 1

According to sociobiologists, it is evolutionarily beneficial for females to:

Accepted Answer

Sociobiologists argue that, in many species, females benefit from attaching themselves to dominant males, as these males are more likely to provide resources and protection for their offspring. This strategy can increase the survival and reproductive success of the female's offspring.

Question 2

How can researchers estimate the heritability of a trait?

Accepted Answer

A good answer will include the following key points.
- Researchers can compare correlations between the traits of adopted children and those of their biological and adoptive relatives, and can use the results to compute an estimate of heritability.
- Another way to estimate heritability is to compare identical twins with same-sex fraternal twins.
- The assumption is that if identical twins are more alike than fraternal twins, the increased similarity must be due to genetic influences.

Question 3

Sociobiologists suggest that humans behave in ways that will:

Accepted Answer

Sociobiologists propose that humans behave in ways that maximize the propagation of their genes and those of their close relatives. This is known as inclusive fitness theory, which states that organisms may be inclined to act altruistically towards their relatives because they share genetic similarities. By helping their relatives survive and reproduce, individuals may indirectly increase the spread of their own genes through the gene pool. Therefore, behaviors that maximize the spread of genes in both the individual and their relatives would be favored by natural selection.

Question 4

Describe three stressful family circumstances that, according to your textbook, have been associated with reduced mental ability in children.

Accepted Answer

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Question 5

Which of the following best describes what a "mental module" is?

Accepted Answer

A mental module is a specialized mental process that has evolved through natural selection. It is a specific cognitive mechanism that is thought to be independent and modular in nature, meaning it operates separately from other cognitive processes. Mental modules have been proposed to explain various aspects of human cognition, such as language acquisition, face recognition, and spatial navigation.

Question 6

What two processes, during the formation of sperm and eggs, help explain genetic changes within a population?

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

Evolutionary biologists often start with an observation about some characteristic and then try to account for it in evolutionary terms. How might they explain the difference in the plumage of male peacocks when compared to the females?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Evolutionary biologists often start with an observation...

Question 8

Estimates of the heritability of intelligence:

Accepted Answer

Heritability estimates for intelligence tend to increase from childhood to adulthood, suggesting that as people age, the influence of genetics on their intelligence becomes more pronounced compared to environmental factors.

Question 9

What is practice play? How might it be beneficial in an evolutionary sense?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is practice play? How might it...

Question 10

Describe the structure of DNA. Who discovered this structure?

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

What is epigenetics? How are epigenetic changes different than genetic changes?

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

What is the fundamental idea behind natural selection?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the fundamental idea behind natural...

Question 13

According to Professor Levinson, the development of inheritable traits that helped our biological ancestors survive might help explain commonalities in human behaviour today. He is most likely to consider himself:

Accepted Answer

Professor Levinson's focus on the development of inheritable traits and their influence on human behaviour suggests that he is an evolutionary psychologist. Epigenesis, while related to genetics, specifically refers to the process of gene expression and is not necessarily focused on evolutionary influences. Empiricism is a broader philosophical perspective focused on the importance of experience and evidence in understanding the world, while sociocultural psychology considers the role of social and cultural factors in shaping behaviour.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is true about heritability?

Accepted Answer

Heritability cannot be directly measured, but is instead inferred based on comparisons between people with different degrees of genetic similarity. This is typically done using twin studies or familial studies, where the heritability of a trait is estimated by comparing the similarity of the trait in related individuals with the degree of genetic relatedness among them. Choice A is incorrect because heritability does not allow a person to determine how much of his or her individual intelligence is determined by genetics alone, as environmental factors also play a significant role. Choice B is incorrect because even highly heritable traits can be influenced by experience and the environment. Choice C is incorrect because heritability is not necessarily consistent across all environments, as different environments can have different effects on gene expression and the development of traits.

Question 15

An example of a characteristic that is either present at birth in all humans or develops rapidly during maturation would be:

Accepted Answer

While strong eyesight and leadership qualities can vary greatly among individuals and may be influenced by environmental factors, an understanding of numbers is a cognitive skill that develops rapidly during early childhood and is present in all typically developing humans. A fear of new things is also not present in all humans and may develop due to individual experiences and temperament.

Question 16

What is the human genome? What is the current estimate of the number of genes in the human genome?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the human genome? What is...

Question 17

Each human chromosome has:

Accepted Answer

Each human chromosome contains thousands of genes.

Question 18

Why do behavioural geneticists seek adopted children as subjects in studies of heritability?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why do behavioural geneticists seek adopted children...

Question 19

Genes are located on _______________, rod-shaped structures found in the nucleus of the cell.

Accepted Answer

Chromosomes are structures found in the nucleus of a cell that contain genes. Genes are segments of DNA that provide instructions for the development, growth, and function of living organisms. Ribosomes are cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis, while genomes refer to the complete set of DNA within an organism. DNA is the genetic material that makes up genes and chromosomes.

Question 20

What is meant by the term "mental module"?

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 3: Genes, Evolution, and Environment