Question 1

The assumption that MZ and DZ twins are raised in equally similar environments can be problematic. Which of the following is a problem?
A)DZ twins may be treated more alike than identical twins.
B)MZ twins purposefully join different clubs and have different friends.
C)MZ twins may share more of their environment than DZ twins.
D)All of these

Accepted Answer

MZ twins (monozygotic or identical twins) often share more of their environment than DZ twins (dizygotic or fraternal twins) because they are more likely to be treated similarly due to their identical appearance, which can skew results in studies assuming equal environments.

Question 2

A researcher using the twin-study method finds an average correlation of .50 between monozygotic twins' scores on a measure of self-esteem.The researcher finds an average correlation of .30 between dizygotic twins' scores on this measure.The difference between the size of the correlations is statistically significant.What conclusion might the researcher draw from these results?
A)Genetics has more of an influence on self-esteem than environment has.
B)There is evidence for a genetic influence on self-esteem.
C)There is no evidence for a genetic influence on self-esteem.
D)The results are opposite of what would be expected if there were a genetic influence on self-esteem.

Accepted Answer

The researcher can conclude that there is evidence for a genetic influence on self-esteem, as the correlation between monozygotic twins (who share 100% of their genes) is higher than the correlation between dizygotic twins (who share, on average, 50% of their genes). This suggests that genetics plays a role in determining self-esteem scores.

Question 3

Researchers use the twin-study method to
A)separate environmental from genetic influences.
B)determine how much of our personality is inherited from our parents.
C)determine how much of our personality is the result of experience.
D)all of these

Accepted Answer

The twin-study method is used to separate environmental from genetic influences, determine how much of our personality is inherited from our parents, and determine how much of our personality is the result of experience. Therefore, the correct answer is D (all of these).

Question 4

How do most personality researchers phrase the "nature-nurture" question today?
A)Which determines personality-genetics or the environment?
B)Which is more important in determining personality-genetics or the environment?
C)To what extent are our personalities influenced by genetics?
D)To what extent and how do both genetics and the environment influence personality?

Accepted Answer

Most personality researchers today recognize that both genetics and the environment play a role in shaping personality, and the nature-nurture question is now typically phrased in terms of how both factors interact and influence personality. Option A and B are too simplistic and do not reflect the complexity of the nature-nurture debate. Option C only addresses one aspect of the debate, without considering the role of the environment.

Question 5

The twin-study method is used by researchers to get around which methodological problem?
A)Biased samples
B)A confound between genetic and environmental influences
C)Questions about generalizability
D)Validity of measures

Accepted Answer

The twin-study method compares similarities between identical and fraternal twins to tease apart the relative contributions of genetic and environmental influences on a trait or behavior, thus avoiding the confound between these factors that may occur in other methods of study.

Question 6

Two babies that come from different fertilized eggs may be
A)siblings.
B)dizygotic twins
C)unrelated
D)all of these

Accepted Answer

Two babies from different fertilized eggs can be siblings (if they have the same parents), dizygotic twins (if they are born at the same time from two different eggs), or unrelated (if they have different parents).

Question 7

Researchers have difficulty determining genetic influences on personality when they simply compare children with their parents.This is because
A)it is difficult to find comparable measures for children and adults.
B)genetic and environmental influences on personality are confounded when using this method.
C)it is difficult to find control groups that match the experimental groups.
D)we need to follow the development of the children's personalities for many years to determine genetic influences.

Accepted Answer

Genetic influences and environmental influences on personality are confounded when simply comparing children with their parents because children inherit both genetic traits and environmental influences from their parents. This makes it difficult to determine which specific factors are influencing personality. Additionally, personality is not solely determined by genetics and can also be influenced by environmental factors such as upbringing and experiences. Therefore, comparing children with their parents is not a reliable method for determining genetic influences on personality.

Question 8

A psychologist conducts research using the twin-study method.He administers a need for Achievement scale to sets of monozygotic and dizygotic twins and finds a correlation of .50 between the scores for pairs of monozygotic twins.If this study is to demonstrate evidence for a genetic influence on need for Achievement,what would we expect the correlation to be between scores for pairs of dizygotic twins?
A)Higher than .50
B)Lower than .50
C)Very close to .50
D)There is no way to demonstrate a genetic influence with these data.

Accepted Answer

If genetic factors play a role in determining the need for achievement, monozygotic twins (who share 100% of their genes) should be more similar in their scores than dizygotic twins (who share only 50% of their genes on average). Therefore, we would expect the correlation between scores for pairs of dizygotic twins to be lower than .50. A correlation that is very close to .50 would suggest that genetic factors are not playing a major role, while a correlation higher than .50 would suggest that environmental factors are more important than genetic factors. Therefore, the best choice is B.

Question 9

Researchers using the twin-study method take advantage of which naturally occurring phenomenon?
A)Monozygotic twins have identical genes.
B)Dizygotic twins have similar genes.
C)Monozygotic twins are often treated alike by parents.
D)Dizygotic twins are more alike genetically than typical siblings.

Accepted Answer

The twin-study method takes advantage of the fact that monozygotic twins have identical genes, allowing researchers to compare the effects of genetics versus environment on a particular trait or behavior.

Question 10

Although it is difficult to determine precisely how much of personality is determined by genetics,the results of twin studies suggest that genetics probably accounts for about ______ percent of the variance of adult personality.
A)85
B)60
C)40
D)5

Accepted Answer

Twin studies suggest that genetics account for about 40-50% of the variance of adult personality. This means that while genetics play a significant role, environmental factors also contribute to personality development.

Question 11

Compared to the results obtained using other research methods,the results from twin-study research
A)probably underestimate the role of genetics in personality.
B)make a stronger case for the role of genetic influences on personality.
C)are less subject to criticisms about underlying assumptions.
D)often are not replicated.

Accepted Answer

Twin-study research makes a stronger case for the role of genetic influences on personality as it uses genetic comparisons between genetically identical and non-identical twins to determine the relative importance of genetics in personality development.

Question 12

One reason for the resistance by psychologists to acknowledge the important role of biology in human personality is that the
A)biological determinants of personality matter little.
B)blank slate view has such great appeal.
C)field of psychology is determined to remain separate from biology.
D)results of biologically-based research can always be explained without reference to genetic factors.

Accepted Answer

The blank slate view, which suggests that human beings are born without any innate characteristics and are shaped entirely by their experiences, has been a popular and influential concept in the field of psychology. As a result, many psychologists have been resistant to acknowledging the important role of biology in human personality.

Question 13

Behavior genetics researchers have taken their data from twin studies and used formulas to estimate that about _________ percent of the stability in adult personalities can be attributed to genetics.
A)10
B)20
C)30
D)40

Accepted Answer

The answer of Behavior genetics researchers have taken their data...

Question 14

Personality researchers sometimes examine the personalities of children who were adopted shortly after birth.They do this because
A)these children were likely raised in a very supportive, nurturing environment.
B)genetic and environmental influences are not confounded like they are when examining children raised by their biological parents.
C)extensive records of the child's health and early personality indicators are available.
D)the researchers want to know if adoption is traumatic for the children.

Accepted Answer

By examining children who were adopted shortly after birth, researchers are able to better distinguish between genetic and environmental influences on personality. This is because, unlike children raised by their biological parents, adopted children are not exposed to their biological parents' upbringing and experiences. As a result, any similarities between the adopted child's personality and their biological parents' personality would primarily be due to genetics, whereas any similarities between the adopted child's personality and their adoptive parents' personality would primarily be due to the environment in which they were raised.

Question 15

Suppose you design a personality study in which you plan to use the twin-study method.You are probably conducting research to examine the
A)influence of siblings on personality.
B)stability of temperament over time.
C)influence of genetics on personality.
D)effects of birth order on personality.

Accepted Answer

The twin-study method involves comparing the similarities in personality traits between identical twins who share 100% of their genes and fraternal twins who share only 50% of their genes. By comparing these two groups, researchers can determine the degree to which genetics influences personality. Therefore, the correct answer is C, the influence of genetics on personality.

Question 16

Which assumption is made by researchers using the twin-study method?
A)Dizygotic twins share an environment that is more similar than the environment shared by monozygotic twins.
B)Monozygotic twins share an environment that is more similar than the environment shared by dizygotic twins.
C)Dizygotic twins share an environment that is just as similar as the environment shared by monozygotic twins.
D)Monozygotic twins will be treated more alike than dizygotic twins.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which assumption is made by researchers using...

Question 17

A personality psychologist designs an experiment in which she plans to use the twin-study method.The psychologist is probably conducting research to examine the
A)stability of temperament over time.
B)influence of genetics on personality.
C)influence of siblings on personality.
D)effects of birth order on personality.

Accepted Answer

The twin-study method is often used to study the influence of genetics on personality. By comparing the similarities and differences in personality between identical twins who share 100% of their genes and fraternal twins who share only 50% of their genes, researchers can estimate the extent to which genes contribute to the development of personality traits.

Question 18

Those twins we commonly call "identical twins" are more technically called
A)monozygotic.
B)dizygotic.
C)difertilized eggs.
D)fraternal twins.

Accepted Answer

Monozygotic twins come from a single fertilized egg that splits into two embryos, meaning they have identical DNA. The term "identical twins" is used colloquially but isn't technically accurate. Dizygotic twins, also known as fraternal twins, come from two separate eggs fertilized by two different sperm and can be different sexes and have different genetic material. Difertilized eggs is not a commonly used term for describing twins.

Question 19

Siblings' personalities may be similar because
A)children inherited personality traits from their parents.
B)siblings share the same living environments during childhood.
C)siblings are raised in the same way by parents.
D)all of these

Accepted Answer

Siblings' personalities may be similar due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors. They share genes and similar parenting styles and experiences, which can influence their development and shape their personalities.

Question 20

One problem with adoption studies is that the homes in which twins are placed
A)are so very different that comparisons cannot be made.
B)are often very similar because adoptive families are similar in important ways.
C)are highly specialized for adoptive parenting.
D)allow the same genetic influences to emerge.

Accepted Answer

Adoptive families tend to be similar in important ways, such as socioeconomic status and education level, which can limit the extent to which researchers can isolate the effects of genetics versus environment. Therefore, the homes in which twins are placed can be similar, making it difficult to differentiate the role of genetics from that of the environment.

Quiz 10: The Biological Approach: Relevant Research

The assumption that MZ and DZ twins are raised in equally similar environments can be problematic. Which of the following is a problem?

Researchers use the twin-study method to

How do most personality researchers phrase the "nature-nurture" question today?

The twin-study method is used by researchers to get around which methodological problem?

Two babies that come from different fertilized eggs may be

Researchers have difficulty determining genetic influences on personality when they simply compare children with their parents.This is because

Researchers using the twin-study method take advantage of which naturally occurring phenomenon?

Although it is difficult to determine precisely how much of personality is determined by genetics,the results of twin studies suggest that genetics probably accounts for about ______ percent of the variance of adult personality.

Compared to the results obtained using other research methods,the results from twin-study research

One reason for the resistance by psychologists to acknowledge the important role of biology in human personality is that the

Behavior genetics researchers have taken their data from twin studies and used formulas to estimate that about _________ percent of the stability in adult personalities can be attributed to genetics.

Personality researchers sometimes examine the personalities of children who were adopted shortly after birth.They do this because

Suppose you design a personality study in which you plan to use the twin-study method.You are probably conducting research to examine the

Which assumption is made by researchers using the twin-study method?

A personality psychologist designs an experiment in which she plans to use the twin-study method.The psychologist is probably conducting research to examine the

Those twins we commonly call "identical twins" are more technically called

Siblings' personalities may be similar because

One problem with adoption studies is that the homes in which twins are placed