Macrae et al. (2002) found that women better process male faces on days of their menstrual cycle associated with a high risk of conception than on days associated with a low risk of conception. Which potential follow-up finding would pose the greatest challenge for an evolutionary interpretation of Macrae et al.'s result
A)Women are also better at processing female faces on high-risk days of their menstrual cycle than on low-risk days.
B)Women are more attracted to a male research assistant on high-risk days of their menstrual cycle than on low-risk days.
C)Women are better at processing female faces on high-risk than low-risk days of their menstrual cycle not only in American culture, but in several other cultures as well.
D)Among a sample of women, the level of estrogen in the blood is correlated with performance on a task involving processing male faces.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A) This finding would challenge the evolutionary interpretation by suggesting that the improved facial processing is not specific to potential mates (male faces) but is a more general enhancement in cognitive function during high-risk days, thus undermining the idea that this ability specifically evolved for mate selection.

Macrae Et Al