Question 1

Why are many biologists skeptical about the concept of group selection?

Accepted Answer

Classic evolutionary theory proposes that the processes of natural selection operate only at the individual, not the group level, which means that the concept of group selection goes against traditional evolutionary theory.

Question 2

Complete the following analogy. Reward of helping: ________ :: cost of helping: ________.

Accepted Answer

The reward of helping is that it relieves distress, while the cost of helping may be embarrassment. Option B and C are not accurate as pain and danger are not always associated with helping. Option D is incorrect as the cost of helping is not always pain.

Question 3

Some evolutionary psychologists argue that in our distant past, those who selfishly pursued their own individual interests would be less likely to survive to pass on their genes. This argument lies at the heart of ________ as a source of altruistic behavior.

Accepted Answer

The reciprocity norm suggests that individuals act altruistically with the expectation that such actions will be reciprocated in the future, enhancing their own survival and reproductive success. This concept aligns with the idea that those who cooperated and supported others, rather than acting purely selfishly, would have been more likely to survive and pass on their genes.

Question 4

Based on evidence from studies presented in the chapter on evolutionary explanations of helping behavior, whom would you be the most likely to help if she had just spilled the contents of her purse?

Accepted Answer

According to the studies presented in the chapter, humans have evolved to help those who are genetically related to them, as it increases the likelihood of their own genes being passed down. However, in situations where the genetic relatedness is not clear (such as helping after a purse spill), people are more likely to help based on cues such as attractiveness, similarity, and perceived need. Therefore, there is no clear genetic relatedness factor in this situation, and therefore the individual is equally likely to help anyone regardless of their specific relationship to them.

Question 5

Helga stops and helps Bjorn change a flat tire along the road because she figures that one day she'll need help and someone will return the favor. This best illustrates the idea of

Accepted Answer

This scenario illustrates the concept of reciprocity, which is the idea that people tend to treat others the way they have been treated, or expect to be treated, in return. Helga helps Bjorn with the expectation that one day she may need help and Bjorn or someone else may return the favor.

Question 6

The groups of people who live among those who are ________ may be more likely to survive than those people who live among groups of people who are ________. This idea is referred to as ________.

Accepted Answer

The idea referred to in the statement is group selection, which suggests that groups with more selfless individuals are more likely to survive and thrive compared to those with more selfish individuals. Option C correctly identifies the groups as selfless and selfish and mentions group selection. The other options either swap the terms or use the concept of natural selection, which is not relevant to the statement.

Question 7

Although George wants to help a stranded motorist he passed on the freeway, he passes by because he knows it would take too much time out of his busy schedule. What theory offers the best explanation as to why George did not help?

Accepted Answer

The social exchange theory suggests that individuals weigh the costs and benefits of helping others before deciding to act. In this case, George was considering the cost of taking time out of his busy schedule to help the stranded motorist, and ultimately decided that the cost was too high.

Question 8

In explaining the process by which kin selection works to encourage altruism, evolutionary psychologists would argue that

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychologists would argue that over time, genes of individuals who follow the "biological importance" rule (helping those who share their genes) will be more likely to survive and be passed on to future generations. This is because organisms that help those who share their genes (such as close relatives) increase the likelihood of their genes being passed on, even if it means sacrificing their own reproductive success. This process, known as kin selection, can therefore promote altruism towards close relatives.

Question 9

A principal theory in social psychology is social exchange theory. According to this theory, we will be most likely to help others

Accepted Answer

Social exchange theory suggests that people make decisions about helping others based on a cost-benefit analysis. If the benefits of helping outweigh the costs, then a person is more likely to help. Therefore, option A is the best choice. Options B, C, and D describe other factors that may also influence helping behavior, but are not central to social exchange theory.

Question 10

________ theory would be most likely to mention such factors as social approval and increased self-worth as motivations for prosocial behavior.

Accepted Answer

Social exchange theory suggests that people help others based on a cost-benefit analysis, where the benefits include social approval and increased self-worth, among other potential rewards.

Question 11

Why would gratitude evolve in a social group?

Accepted Answer

Gratitude evolved in social groups to motivate individuals to return help they have received from others, thereby strengthening social bonds and increasing the likelihood of future helpful interactions. This benefits the group as a whole and may enhance individual survival and reproductive success.

Question 12

In a group setting, one member could take advantage of the help that he/she receives from the other group members, thereby exploiting the reciprocity norm to his/her advantage. Some researchers believe that instead ________ evolved.

Accepted Answer

Gratitude is the most appropriate choice here as it refers to feeling thankful and appreciative towards others who have helped or supported us. It is a positive emotion that is associated with a desire to reciprocate or give back to others, rather than exploiting their help for personal gain. Diffusion of responsibility and bystander effect both refer to situations where people fail to take action or help others, which is not applicable in this scenario. Volunteering, while related to reciprocity and helping others, is not the best fit as it refers to a proactive and intentional act of giving one's time, skills or resources for the benefit of others, rather than taking advantage of their help.

Question 13

Elaine explains that she donates money to charity because, "It makes me feel like I'm investing in the future. It just feels good!" Her motive for helping is best described by which theory?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Elaine explains that she donates money to...

Question 14

You ask your brother if you can borrow his car for a date on Saturday night. Before handing over the keys, he asks in jest, "What's in it for me?" His question best reflects ________ as applied to prosocial behavior.

Accepted Answer

The brother's jest about "What's in it for me?" reflects social exchange theory, which suggests that people weigh the costs and benefits of a given behavior before deciding whether to engage in it. In this case, the brother is jokingly asking what he will get in return for letting his sibling borrow his car.

Question 15

Although evidence from studies presented in the chapter suggests that people are more likely to help family than strangers or friends in some situations, they also note that people are equally likely to help a friend or family member under which of the following circumstances?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Although evidence from studies presented in the...

Question 16

The authors provide the text of a UPI story describing the discovery of the bones of a disabled dwarf in a cave in northern Italy. The reporters speculate that over 12,000 years ago, early hominids would take care of the disabled members of their group. ________ would argue that the bones belonged to a dwarf who was related to the other cave inhabitants, whereas ________ would argue that the other inhabitants relied on the dwarf for some unknown purpose.

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary theorists would argue that the other inhabitants relied on the dwarf for some unknown purpose, as they believe in the principle of natural selection and survival of the fittest, so it would make sense that the group would only keep disabled members around if they had some kind of value to the group. On the other hand, social exchange theorists focus on the exchange of resources and benefits within social relationships, and would argue that the bones belonged to a dwarf who was related to the other cave inhabitants, as the group would have taken care of the dwarf in exchange for some kind of benefit or resource that the dwarf provided. Social psychologists would not necessarily have a specific stance on this matter, as their focus is on understanding human behavior within social contexts, and this particular situation could be interpreted through a variety of different lenses.

Question 17

Your text offers several challenges that evolutionary psychology has not been able to address. Which of the following would also challenge evolutionary rationales for helping behavior?

Accepted Answer

Running out into a busy freeway to save a wounded animal would not have provided any evolutionary advantage to the individual, and may even put them at risk of harm. Helping someone in need is generally more likely to be explained by social and cultural factors rather than evolutionary ones.

Question 18

One consequence of living by the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," is that if you help those in need, they might return the favor someday. This idea is best represented by

Accepted Answer

The idea that helping those in need may lead to them returning the favor in the future is an example of the norm of reciprocity. The norm of reciprocity is the social norm that we should reciprocate a positive action with another positive action. In other words, if someone helps us, we should feel obligated to help them in return.

Question 19

The main tenet of social exchange theory is that we will help others when

Accepted Answer

According to social exchange theory, we evaluate the potential rewards and costs of helping someone before deciding whether to help them. If the rewards outweigh the costs, we are more likely to help. Therefore, the best choice is A - we will help others when the rewards outweigh the costs.

Question 20

Social exchange theory would have the most trouble explaining which of the following helping situations?

Accepted Answer

Social exchange theory suggests that individuals help others when the benefits outweigh the costs. In situation B, Theo risking his life to save a stranger does not necessarily have any obvious benefits for him. Therefore, social exchange theory would struggle to explain this situation as it goes beyond the simple cost-benefit analysis.

Quiz 11: Prosocial Behavior: Why Do People Help