Question 1

Professor Vaughn is interested in why people are more likely to have phobias about things that occur in nature,such as snakes,than about things that are increasingly dangerous,such as weapons.She is likely interested in

Accepted Answer

Professor Vaughn's interest in why people are more likely to have phobias about things that occur in nature aligns with the perspective of evolutionary psychology, which attempts to explain human behavior in terms of how it may have been adapted to serve survival and reproductive functions in our ancestral past. This interest is not directly related to epigenetics, gene-environment interactions, or behavior genetics.

Question 2

Evolutionary psychology is most likely to emphasize that human adaptiveness to a variety of different environments has contributed to

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychology focuses on how natural selection has shaped the human mind and behavior in ways that enhance reproductive success. This means that traits and behaviors that increase an individual's likelihood of passing on their genes to future generations are considered adaptive and have evolved through the process of natural selection. Therefore, reproductive success is the most likely factor that evolutionary psychology would emphasize as contributing to human adaptiveness.

Question 3

A random alteration in the DNA sequence within one of his genes has caused James to suffer a rare form of nearsightedness.His difficulty best illustrates the impact of

Accepted Answer

A mutation is a random alteration in DNA sequence that can lead to genetic disorders or traits. In this case, James's rare form of nearsightedness is the result of a mutation in one of his genes.

Question 4

Inherited trait variations that contribute to reproduction and survival will most likely to be passed on to succeeding generations.This best illustrates

Accepted Answer

The given statement best illustrates the concept of natural selection, which is a key mechanism in the process of evolution. Natural selection refers to the idea that inherited traits that are beneficial to an organism's survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed down to future generations, while traits that are not advantageous will be selected against and potentially eliminated over time.

Question 5

If a genetically based aversion to the bitter taste of rhubarb leaves contributes to survival,that trait will likely be passed on from parents to offspring.This best illustrates

Accepted Answer

The scenario described in the question is an example of natural selection, where a trait that contributes to survival (in this case, an aversion to the bitter taste of rhubarb leaves) is passed on from parents to offspring because it increases the chances of survival and reproduction. Behavior genetics refers to the study of the role of genetics in behavior, but the scenario described in the question pertains specifically to natural selection. Domestication refers to the process of selecting and breeding animals for specific traits over generations, which is not mentioned in the scenario. Epigenetic marks refer to modifications to gene expression that can be passed down from one generation to the next, but this does not seem to be the primary factor at play in this scenario.

Question 6

The molecules that can block genetic expression are called

Accepted Answer

The molecules that can block genetic expression are called epigenetic marks, which are modifications to DNA that can turn genes on or off without altering the underlying sequence. Genomes and chromosomes refer to the entire set of genetic material in an organism, while stress hormones are a type of hormone that is released in response to stress and may have an effect on gene expression but do not specifically block it.

Question 7

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the human brain?

Accepted Answer

The human brain possesses neuroplasticity, which means that it can change, reorganize and adapt in response to different experiences, learning and environmental demands. This capacity for change persists throughout the lifespan, allowing individuals to learn, recover from injury and adapt to changing environments. Choice B is incorrect as the human brain is not fully developed at birth but instead undergoes significant development and maturation during childhood and adolescence. Choice C is incorrect as the human brain is highly adaptable and can undergo changes in response to experiences, learning and environmental demands as described previously. Choice D is incorrect as the human brain can be divided into four lobes – frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital.

Question 8

Evolutionary psychologists would be most likely to predict that

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychologists study the ways in which evolutionary pressures have shaped human behavior and psychology. They would predict that biological fathers are more likely to value their own genetic offspring, as they have a greater incentive to ensure the survival and success of their genes. This is supported by research showing that biological fathers are more involved in parenting and more likely to provide financial support than stepfathers.

Question 9

Several organisms from a strain of bacteria infecting hospital patients inherited a mutation that increased their resistance to the hospital's antibacterial drugs.Over time,the drug-resistant bacteria increasingly outnumbered the bacteria without the mutation.This best illustrates

Accepted Answer

The situation described is an example of natural selection, where a beneficial mutation (increased resistance to antibacterial drugs) provides a fitness advantage, allowing the resistant bacteria to survive and reproduce more successfully than their non-resistant counterparts. Over time, this can lead to an increase in the proportion of the resistant bacteria in the population.

Question 10

Infant rats deprived of their mothers' normal licking had more ________ that block access to the "on" switch for developing the brain's stress hormone receptors.

Accepted Answer

Epigenetic molecules, such as methyl groups, can attach to DNA and modify the expression of certain genes without changing the underlying genetic code. In this case, the lack of maternal licking likely led to changes in the epigenetic marks on certain genes related to stress hormone receptors, making them less accessible and inhibiting their development.

Question 11

Our shared human genome is the complete

Accepted Answer

Our shared human genome refers to the complete genetic profile common to all humanity, regardless of biological or behavioral differences, and it is estimated that individuals share over 99% of their DNA.

Question 12

When is brain plasticity the strongest?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When is brain plasticity the strongest?
...

Question 13

Our adaptive flexibility in responding to different environments contributes to our fitness,which refers to

Accepted Answer

Fitness refers to an individual's ability to survive and reproduce in a specific environment. Our adaptive flexibility in responding to different environments contributes to our ability to survive and reproduce, and therefore our fitness. Options A and B are related to genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that can influence fitness, but they do not directly define it. Option D correctly identifies the interaction between genes and the environment, but it does not fully encompass the concept of fitness.

Question 14

A random error in gene replication is known as a(n)

Accepted Answer

A random error in gene replication is known as a mutation. Epigenetic marks are modifications to DNA that do not alter the sequence of nucleotides. A genome is the complete set of genetic information for an organism. A selected trait is a trait that has been favored by natural selection.

Question 15

Evolutionary psychology studies the evolution of behavior and the mind using principles of

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychology uses principles of natural selection to understand how behaviors and cognitive abilities have evolved and how they may be adaptive in modern environments. Behavior genetics, epigenetics, and genomics are related fields, but not central to the study of evolutionary psychology.

Question 16

If chronic child abuse alters a victim's gene expression in such a fashion as to trigger depression,this would be said to illustrate

Accepted Answer

An epigenetic effect refers to changes in gene expression without changes to the actual DNA sequence. Chronic child abuse could alter gene expression in such a way as to trigger depression, and this would be an example of an epigenetic effect. Natural selection refers to the process by which particular traits become more or less common in a population over time based on their impact on survival and reproduction, and is not directly related to this scenario. High serotonin levels could be a factor in depression, but this answer does not address the question of how chronic child abuse might trigger depression. A genetic mutation involves changes to the DNA sequence, which is not necessarily the case in this scenario.

Question 17

The principle of natural selection was first advanced by

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin is credited with advancing the principle of natural selection in his 1859 book "On the Origin of Species". While others had previously discussed evolutionary theories, it was Darwin who provided significant evidence and a coherent theory for how natural selection operates in the natural world.

Question 18

According to evolutionary psychologists,our predisposition to overconsume fatty junk foods most clearly illustrates that we are biologically prepared to behave in ways that promoted the ________ of our ancestors.

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychologists argue that our behaviors are shaped by natural selection and promote our ancestors' reproductive success. Therefore, our overconsumption of fatty junk foods may be a result of our biological predisposition to seek out high-calorie foods as a survival mechanism when food is scarce. This behavior would have helped our ancestors survive and reproduce when food was less abundant.

Question 19

Brain localization of function was first suggested by the study of

Accepted Answer

Phrenology was a now-discredited approach to psychology that attempted to understand the mind by examining the shape of the skull. It proposed that different areas of the brain were responsible for different personality traits, and that the size of these areas could be determined by examining bumps on the skull. While this theory was ultimately debunked, it helped to pave the way for more scientific approaches to understanding the localization of brain function.

Question 20

According to evolutionary psychologists,behaviors that promote reproductive success are likely to be

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychology is based on the idea that certain behaviors are genetically predisposed because they have evolved to promote reproductive success. These behaviors are often triggered automatically and may not be conscious decisions made by an individual. Social norms and ecological factors may play a role in shaping behavior, but they are not necessarily the primary determinants. Disease-producing behaviors are unlikely to promote reproductive success and would therefore not be favored by natural selection.

Quiz 2: The Biology of Behavior