Question 1

According to natural selection,those with genes best suited to an environment are likely to

Accepted Answer

According to natural selection, individuals with genes that are best suited to an environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. Through this process, these favorable traits are passed down to future generations, resulting in the evolution of species. This means that those who are best adapted to their environment are more likely to produce offspring and have their genes continue in the population, while those who are less adapted are less likely to survive and reproduce. Therefore, the best choice is D, as it reflects the fundamental process of natural selection.

Question 2

The evolutionary process by which nature selects traits that best enable organisms to survive and reproduce in particular environmental niches is called

Accepted Answer

The process described in the question is commonly known as natural selection, where traits that provide an advantage in surviving and reproducing in a particular environment are favored and passed down to future generations, while less advantageous traits may die out. Choices A and C are similar, but not as commonly used as the term natural selection. Choice B refers to the study of how evolutionary processes have influenced human psychology and behavior, and is not directly related to the process described in the question.

Question 3

______ is the study of the evolution of behavior using principles of natural selection.

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychology is the study of the evolution of behavior using principles of natural selection. Evolutionary adaptation refers to the process of natural selection leading to the development of traits that enhance an organism's survival and reproduction in a particular environment. Natural adaptation is not a commonly used term. Natural selection is the process by which certain traits are passed on to the next generation because they are advantageous for survival and reproduction in a particular environment.

Question 4

Given the logic of evolutionary psychology,we can assume our distant ancestors preferred _______ foods.

Accepted Answer

According to the logic of evolutionary psychology, our distant ancestors would have preferred foods that were nutritious and energy-providing. This is because such foods would have helped them to survive and thrive in their environments, allowing them to pass on their genes to future generations. Foods that were sweet or bitter/sour may or may not have provided these benefits, so they would not necessarily be preferred based on evolutionary psychology alone. While some of our ancestors may have been vegetarian, it is unlikely that this would have been a widespread preference given the difficulty of obtaining enough nutrients from plant-based sources alone.

Question 5

The _______ perspective highlights the kinship that results from our shared human nature.

Accepted Answer

The evolutionary perspective focuses on how human behavior and relationships have developed over time through natural selection. This perspective emphasizes the shared human nature that links individuals and promotes kinship.

Question 6

The implications of evolutionary psychology suggest that human success is defined by

Accepted Answer

According to evolutionary psychology, the ultimate goal of human behavior is to pass on one's genes to the next generation. Having grandchildren is a clear sign of reproductive success, as it means that one's offspring have successfully passed on their genes to the next generation. Therefore, having grandchildren is a key factor in defining human success from an evolutionary perspective.

Question 7

Rules for accepted and expected behavior are called

Accepted Answer

Rules for accepted and expected behavior are called norms. Values refer to a person's beliefs or principles, while attitudes are a person's feelings or opinions about something.

Question 8

Norms _____ behavior.

Accepted Answer

Norms prescribe or indicate what behavior is expected or acceptable in a given situation or society.

Question 9

Compared to other species,humans are _______ restricted by their genetics.

Accepted Answer

Humans have a comparatively less restricted genetic makeup than other species. While genetics play a critical role in human development, the human brain is highly adaptable, which allows us to learn, change our behavior, and create new technologies. Compared to other species, which rely heavily on instinct, humans are capable of complex cognitive processes, which allow us to learn, reason, and innovate. Therefore, humans are less restricted by their genetics than other species.

Question 10

Punctuality is one of the _______ of North American businesspeople.

Accepted Answer

Norms are unwritten rules or expectations within a society or culture. Punctuality is a norm within North American business culture, meaning it is an expected behavior or practice. Attitudes, values, and characteristics refer more generally to personal beliefs, traits, or qualities, rather than cultural expectations.

Question 11

One of the most important similarities in humans is our capacity

Accepted Answer

Our capacity for learning and adaptation is one of the most defining traits of humans, as we are able to constantly advance and improve ourselves through gaining knowledge and adapting to new situations. While the other options may also apply to humans in some instances, they do not represent a defining or universal characteristic of human behavior.

Question 12

Which statement about social norms is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Social norms are actually influenced by culture and can vary widely between different societies and communities.

Question 13

As an exchange student,you notice that standards of beauty are much different in the country you are visiting.Billboards and advertisements display women that are not as thin as in the United States.You conclude that this difference in standards of beauty is the result of different

Accepted Answer

Standards of beauty are often influenced by cultural norms and values. Different cultures have different ideas of what is considered beautiful, and these ideas are reflected in the media and advertising. The difference in beauty standards that the exchange student noticed is likely due to cultural differences between the country they are visiting and the United States.

Question 14

Human kinship is to the _______ perspective as social diversity is to the _______ perspective.

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary perspective is focused on studying the biological and genetic factors that shape human behavior, including kinship. Cultural perspective, on the other hand, is more concerned with social diversity, which refers to the differences in culture, norms, beliefs, and values between different groups of people. Therefore, human kinship is to the evolutionary perspective as social diversity is to the cultural perspective.

Question 15

Seven-year-old Mary says "Thank you" after opening each birthday present she receives because her family considers it to be proper behavior.This best illustrates the influence of a

Accepted Answer

A norm is a generally accepted rule about how people should behave in a particular group or society. In this scenario, Mary's family has established the norm that saying "thank you" after opening a present is proper behavior. Mary has learned and internalized this norm, and now follows it automatically without thinking.

Question 16

According to anthropologists,which of the following is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

Anthropologists generally believe that we are more alike than we are different, and that all humans share a common ancestor who originated in Africa. Additionally, anthropology emphasizes the social nature of human life, so option D is also true. However, the statement that "we are more different than we are alike" goes against the central tenet of anthropology and is therefore false.

Question 17

The enduring behaviors,ideas,attitudes,and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next are called

Accepted Answer

Culture refers to the learned behaviors, beliefs, and customs that characterize a group or society. Norms are specific rules and expectations within a culture. Values are the principles or standards that a culture or group believes to be important. While all of these terms are related to the enduring aspects of a group or society, the broadest and most inclusive term is culture.

Question 18

Zoe has lived in the United States all of her life,yet her Greek grandmother made sure that Zoe was fluent in the Greek language so she would understand the Greek way of life.What has Zoe's grandmother passed on to her?

Accepted Answer

Zoe's Greek grandmother has passed on her Greek culture to her, which includes the Greek language and way of life.

Question 19

According to Baumeister,a "huge and powerful advantage of culture" is

Accepted Answer

Baumeister argues in his book "Culture Made Human" that the division of labor is a huge and powerful advantage of culture. This allows for specialization, increased productivity, and the ability to solve complex problems as a group. Genetic diversity, evolution, and genetic similarity are important factors, but they do not have the same level of impact on the advantages of culture.

Question 20

Evolutionary psychologists study

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychologists study both physical and psychological traits as they seek to explain how behaviors and traits have evolved over time and how they may have adaptive advantages in certain environments.

Quiz 5: Genes,culture,and Gender