Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Sociobiologists argue that attaching themselves to dominant males can increase the chances of survival and reproductive success for females, as dominant males may provide resources and protection. This is known as the "dominant male hypothesis."

Question 2

The functional units of heredity that are located on chromosomes, are composed of DNA, and specify the structure of proteins are called:

Accepted Answer

The definition given matches that of genes, which are the units of heredity composed of DNA that determine the structure of proteins. Genomes refer to the entire set of genes in an organism, whereas ribosomes are cellular structures involved in protein synthesis. Nuclei are the central organelles of eukaryotic cells that contain genetic material, but they do not directly specify the structure of proteins.

Question 3

Each human chromosome has:

Accepted Answer

Each human chromosome contains thousands of genes, which are units of heredity that code for specific traits or characteristics. Humans have a total of 46 chromosomes, with 23 pairs.

Question 4

Which of the following statements is true about heritability?

Accepted Answer

Heritability cannot be directly measured because it is impossible to separate genetic influences from environmental influences. Instead, heritability estimates are based on studies of people with a known degree of genetic similarity such as twins or family members. Option A is incorrect because heritability does not allow a person to determine how much of his or her intelligence is determined by genetics alone, as environmental factors also play a role. Option B is incorrect because high heritability does not mean that a trait cannot be modified by experience or environmental factors. Option C is incorrect because heritability estimates can vary across different environments.

Question 5

Estimates of the heritability of intelligence:

Accepted Answer

Heritability estimates of intelligence tend to increase with age, suggesting that as individuals grow older, the influence of genetics on their intelligence becomes more pronounced compared to environmental factors.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Genes are located on chromosomes, which are rod-shaped structures found in the nucleus of the cell. Ribosomes are not involved in storing genetic information, genomes refer to the complete set of DNA in an organism, and DNA is the molecule that contains the genetic information but it is not always in the form of chromosomes.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

An understanding of numbers is a characteristic that develops rapidly during maturation. While some individuals may have a natural aptitude for math, understanding of numbers is a skill that is developed through education and practice rather than something present at birth in all humans.

Question 8

_______________ is defined as a statistical estimate of the proportion of the total variance in some trait that is attributable to genetic differences among individuals within a group.

Accepted Answer

Heritability is a measure of how much variation in a trait is due to genetic factors within a group. It is estimated as the proportion of the total variance in a trait that is caused by genetic differences between individuals within a group.

Question 9

Sociobiologists predict that, compared to males, females should be more likely to:

Accepted Answer

Sociobiologists believe that females are more likely to be monogamous because they invest more time and energy in pregnancy and raising offspring, making them more selective in choosing a long-term mate.

Question 10

According to Professor Sandoval, the development of inheritable traits that helped our biological ancestors survive might help explain commonalities in human behavior today. She is most likely to consider herself:

Accepted Answer

Professor Sandoval's focus on how inherited traits may influence behavior aligns with the perspective of evolutionary psychology. This field studies how natural selection has shaped the human mind and behavior.

Question 11

The average IQ gap between severely malnourished children and well-nourished children can be as high as:

Accepted Answer

The average IQ gap between severely malnourished children and well-nourished children can be as high as 20 points. Malnutrition, especially in the critical early years of development, can significantly impair cognitive development and lead to lower IQ scores.

Question 12

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 believed that these modules are specific and innate cognitive mechanisms that facilitate the processing of particular types of information, such as language or spatial navigation. They are thought to be the result of evolutionary adaptations that have been shaped by the environment and provide humans with a certain level of cognitive efficiency and flexibility.

Question 13

_______________ may occur because of mistakes made when DNA copies itself during cell divisions or because of environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Accepted Answer

Mutations may occur due to errors during DNA replication or exposure to environmental factors like UV radiation. Noncoding DNA and epigenetics are related to gene expression but not specifically to mutations. Twins are not related to the occurrence of mutations.

Question 14

_______________ are rod-shaped and paired structures made of DNA, and are located in the nucleus of a cell.

Accepted Answer

Chromosomes are rod-shaped and paired structures made of DNA, and are located in the nucleus of a cell. Genomes refer to the complete set of an organism's genetic material, including both chromosomes and other DNA such as mitochondrial DNA. Genes are specific sections of DNA that code for a particular protein or trait, and genetic markers are specific variations in DNA that can be used to track inheritance patterns.

Question 15

A longitudinal study discussed in your textbook used MRI scans to study the development of the cerebral cortex as children aged. Which of the following is one of the findings from this study?

Accepted Answer

The study found that the cortex in very bright children develops more rapidly and for a longer time than it does in other children. This suggests that differences in cortical development may contribute to individual differences in intelligence. The study did not support option A, C, or D as the findings were focused on comparing the development of the cerebral cortex in bright vs. other children, rather than comparing thickening of the cortex based on IQ or age alone.

Question 16

Sociobiologists argue that:

Accepted Answer

Sociobiologists believe that social behavior in animals, including human beings, can be explained by evolutionary concepts. They argue that certain behaviors, such as aggression and altruism, have evolved to increase an individual's reproductive success and pass on their genes to future generations.

Question 17

Sociobiologists suggest that humans behave in ways that will:

Accepted Answer

Sociobiologists suggest that humans behave in ways that will maximize the propagation of their genes and those of their close relatives. This is because genes are believed to be the fundamental unit of evolutionary adaptation, and individuals who act in ways that increase the likelihood of their genes being passed on will have a better chance of surviving and reproducing in the long run. Additionally, behaviors that benefit close relatives may also be favored because they increase the likelihood of shared genes being passed on, a phenomenon known as kin selection.

Question 18

According to your textbook, which of the following is an innate human characteristic?

Accepted Answer

The textbook identifies play as an innate human characteristic, stating that humans have a natural drive to engage in playful activities. The other options (a preference for consistency and management skills) may be learned or developed, but are not necessarily innate traits. The option about lying and cheating is not mentioned as an innate characteristic in the textbook.

Question 19

Which of the following arguments do the critics of sociobiology highlight?

Accepted Answer

Critics of sociobiology argue that it oversimplifies complex human behaviors by attributing them solely to biological evolution, ignoring cultural and social influences. The existence of diverse mating behaviors across species, such as monogamous males and promiscuous females, challenges the notion that human behaviors are strictly biologically determined.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the position of most psychologists today on the nature-nurture issue?

Accepted Answer

Most psychologists today believe that nature (our genetic makeup) and nurture (our environment and experiences) interact to produce both our psychological and physical traits. It is widely believed that biological factors (nature) set the broad parameters for our development, but experiences (nurture) interact with these factors to determine the specific traits and behaviors we exhibit. Therefore, most psychologists reject the idea that nature or nurture alone is solely responsible for producing our traits.

Quiz 3: Genes, Evolution, and Environment