Question 1

Which of the following statements is true about the deductive reasoning approach?

Accepted Answer

Deductive reasoning is a theory-driven method of empirical research. Researchers start with a theory and then gather evidence to test the theory. The other options are not true. Deductive reasoning is not known as the bottom-up approach (Option A), which is actually a reference to the inductive approach. Deductive reasoning does not start with the observation of a phenomenon (Option C), but with a theory or hypothesis. While deductive reasoning may generate new predictions, it does not require researchers to develop a theory (Option D).

Question 2

Researchers using the _____ approach first observe a phenomenon and then develop a theory to fit the observations.

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning involves making generalizations based on observations and then developing a theory to explain the observations. This approach is often used in qualitative research and can lead to the development of new theories and ideas.

Question 3

The idea of _____ implies that individuals have mechanisms that are specialized in solving certain adaptive problems that they encounter.

Accepted Answer

Domain specificity refers to the idea that cognitive mechanisms are specific to certain domains, such as social or physical reasoning. This implies that our minds have evolved to solve specific adaptive problems in these domains.

Question 4

Research on helping and altruism suggests that people:

Accepted Answer

Research in evolutionary psychology suggests that people are more likely to help others based on genetic relatedness, a concept known as kin selection. This means individuals are more inclined to assist those who are closely related to them genetically, as it helps ensure the survival of shared genes.

Question 5

To determine whether something is an adaptation or a byproduct requires knowledge of:

Accepted Answer

To determine whether something is an adaptation or a byproduct, it is essential to have knowledge of the adaptation and its features. Understanding the nature of the trait is critical in differentiating between an adaptation and byproduct. The identification of the range of functioning, the reproductive success gained and all possible byproducts of the adaptation may be relevant in understanding the trait's evolution, but knowledge of the adaptation is the key factor.

Question 6

_____ may have evolved as a mechanism that functions as a species-typical mechanism that prevents individuals from being socially excluded from a group.

Accepted Answer

Social anxiety is a mechanism characterized by excessive self-consciousness and nervousness in social situations. It may have evolved as a way to prevent individuals from being socially excluded from their groups. Through anxiety, individuals may become more cautious and attentive to social cues and norms, which may facilitate their integration into the group and reduce the risk of rejection or ostracism. Social anxiety may also discourage deviant or risky behavior that could jeopardize one's reputation or status in the group, thereby promoting conformity and cohesion.

Question 7

The idea that adaptations solve specific,as opposed to general,adaptive problems is known as:

Accepted Answer

The idea that adaptations solve specific adaptive problems is known as domain specificity. This means that adaptations are not general solutions to all problems but rather specific solutions to specific problems that organisms face in their environments.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of a characteristic that is NOT necessarily adaptive in modern environments?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is an example...

Question 9

Incidental effects that are NOT properly considered to be adaptations are called:

Accepted Answer

Incidental effects, also known as byproducts, are not considered adaptations because they do not directly contribute to an organism's survival or reproduction. Instead, they may be an unintended side effect of a functional adaptation.

Question 10

Xenophobia,a characteristic that was probably adaptive in ancestral environments,refers to the:

Accepted Answer

Xenophobia specifically refers to the fear of strangers or foreigners, so the best choice is D. A, B, and C all refer to different types of fears that are not necessarily related to the fear of strangers.

Question 11

Research that shows that group cohesion increases when resources or survival depend on group membership helps support the idea:

Accepted Answer

The research showing that group cohesion increases when resources or survival depend on group membership suggests that humans have a strong need to belong to a group for survival, which supports the idea that humans have a strong need to belong (option B). This idea is supported by numerous studies in social psychology, which have shown that people's need to belong is a fundamental human motive that shapes their thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Sexual selection (option A) refers to the evolution of traits that increase an individual's mating success, whereas survival selection (option C) refers to the evolution of traits that increase an individual's chances of survival and reproduction. Although group cohesion may be important for survival, it does not necessarily involve sexual selection. Option D (that humans have evolved universal emotions) is not directly supported by the given information about group cohesion and resources.

Question 12

_____ is probably a result of the human evolutionary history of living in social groups.

Accepted Answer

The need to belong is likely a result of the human evolutionary history of living in social groups. Humans have depended on social support and belonging to a group for survival and reproduction, and this need is likely deeply ingrained in our psychology. Sexual desire and sexual dimorphism are also influenced by evolution, but do not necessarily have a clear link to living in social groups. Our evolved sweet tooth may be influenced by evolutionary history, but is not directly linked to the need to belong.

Question 13

Harry is very loyal to his old army unit.The veterans have reunions and regularly keep in touch with each other.Membership in Harry's army unit most likely has elicited _____ in that group of war veterans.

Accepted Answer

Harry's loyalty to his old army unit and the fact that the veterans have reunions and regularly keep in touch with each other suggest that membership in the army unit has elicited a strong need to belong in the group of war veterans.

Question 14

Research on altruism has found that younger individuals are helped _____ than 45-year-old relatives and older individuals are helped _____ than 45-year-old relatives in everyday tasks.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research on altruism has found that younger...

Question 15

If we successfully selected our mates based on our food preferences,the mechanism of _____ would NOT be functioning.

Accepted Answer

Domain specificity refers to the idea that our psychological mechanisms are designed to solve specific problems in certain domains. In the context of mate selection, our food preferences are not directly related to our reproductive success and therefore are not a domain-specific mechanism. Therefore, if we successfully selected our mates based on our food preferences, the mechanism of domain specificity would not be functioning. The other choices - cognitive complexity, species typicality, and prototypicality - are not directly related to mate selection or food preferences.

Question 16

Characteristics such as the shape of the human earlobe are most likely:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Characteristics such as the shape of the...

Question 17

Which of the following terms can be defined as a reliably developing structure in an organism,which,because it meshes with the recurrent structure of the world,causes a solution to an accommodative problem?

Accepted Answer

Adaptation refers to a reliably developing structure in an organism that helps it to solve an accommodative problem by meshing with the recurrent structure of the world. This may involve physical or behavioral changes that enhance the organism's survival and reproductive success in its environment. Evocation refers to the activation of existing behavioral patterns in response to specific stimuli. Evolutionary noise refers to random variations in traits that are not necessarily adaptive or maladaptive. Perceptual sensitivity refers to the ability to detect and differentiate sensory stimuli.

Question 18

The "top-down" method of empirical research is called the _____ approach.

Accepted Answer

The "top-down" method of empirical research involves starting with a theory or hypothesis and then testing it through data collection and analysis. This approach is deductive reasoning, which involves starting with a general statement or theory and then testing its implications through specific observations and experiments. Inductive reasoning, on the other hand, involves starting with specific observations and then generalizing to broader theories or hypotheses. Analysis-of-variance and regression analysis are specific statistical methods used in data analysis, but they do not refer to the overall approach to research.

Question 19

Evolutionary theorists believe the need to belong is at the _____ level of analysis.

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary theorists view the need to belong as a fundamental aspect of human nature, rooted in our evolutionary history and the need to form social bonds for survival and reproduction.

Question 20

The idea that adaptations are designed by the evolutionary process to solve a particular adaptive problem is known as:

Accepted Answer

Domain specificity refers to the idea that adaptations are designed by the evolutionary process to solve a particular adaptive problem.

Quiz 8: Evolutionary Perspectives on Personality