Question 1

______ dispersal is the most common pattern in mammals, including primates.
A) female
B) male
C) elders
D) children
E) elderly

Accepted Answer

Male dispersal is the most common pattern in mammals, including primates, as it reduces inbreeding and competition for mates within the group.

Question 2

___________ is the study of the evolution of behavior, emphasizing the role of ecological factors as agents of natural selection.
A) Sociobiology
B) Biological-ecology
C) Behavioral ecology
D) Evolutionary ecology
E) Eco-sociobiology

Accepted Answer

Behavioral ecology is the study that focuses on behavior and its evolutionary implications. It emphasizes the effects of ecological and environmental factors on the development of behavior, and it is centered around the idea that the behavior of an animal is an adaptation to its environment, shaped by natural selection. The other choices do not accurately describe the field of study specified in the question.

Question 3

Altruism is a behavior that
A) benefits another while involving some risk to the performer
B) benefits the performer while involving risk to another individual
C) benefits both the performer and another individual while involving risk to both
D) is not common among primates
E) creates potential risk to dependent offspring

Accepted Answer

Altruism is defined as a behavior that benefits another individual while involving some risk or cost to the performer. This involves acting selflessly for the benefit of others, often at some cost or risk to oneself. A common example of altruistic behavior is a parent risking its own life to protect its offspring.

Question 4

Ecological factors influencing primate social behavior include which of the following?
A) the distribution of food and water, predators, and nutritional value of foods
B) levels of testosterone among predators
C) Ancestry of primates
D) Gene codes for behaviors
E) learning

Accepted Answer

The distribution of food and water greatly influences social behavior and dynamics in primates, as does the presence of predators and the nutritional value of available foods. These factors can influence mating patterns, dominance hierarchies, and group cohesion. While the other factors listed may also play a role in primate social behavior (such as gene codes for certain behaviors), they are not as directly tied to ecological factors as the ones listed in option A.

Question 5

Mounting as an expression of dominance in baboons is believed to also serve to
A) indicate sexual preference
B) defuse tense situations
C) indicate aggression
D) indicate a threat
E) submission

Accepted Answer

Mounting in baboons can serve as a tension-reducing behavior, indicating that the baboon doing the mounting is trying to diffuse or prevent aggressive behaviors in the group. It is not necessarily related to sexual preference, aggression, threat, or submission.

Question 6

Some of the deliberate nonhuman primate behaviors that serve as communication include all of the following except
A) spoken language
B) facial expressions
C) vocalizations
D) displays
E) relationships

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some of the deliberate nonhuman primate behaviors...

Question 7

Primate social structure of a group of animals refers to
A) the composition
B) the size
C) the sex ratio
D) the composition, size and sex ratio
E) the behavior of the animals

Accepted Answer

Primate social structure refers to the combination of the composition (such as the number of males and females), size, and sex ratio of the group. It is not solely based on behavior or size alone. Therefore, D is the best choice as it includes all the factors that determine a primate's social structure.

Question 8

Amicable behaviors that promote group cohesion are called _______ behaviors.
A) cultural
B) philopatric
C) ritualized
D) affiliative
E) autonomic

Accepted Answer

Amicable behaviors that promote group cohesion are known as affiliative behaviors. These behaviors may include things like grooming, sharing food, or engaging in play, all of which help to build positive relationships and social bonds within a group. Cultural behaviors are more specific to the beliefs and practices of a particular group or society, while philopatric behaviors relate to the tendency of certain animals to remain in their natal territory. Ritualized behaviors may include specific patterns of vocalization or body movement that are used to communicate within a group. Autonomic behaviors are those that are controlled by the nervous system and do not require conscious thought or effort.

Question 9

Chimpanzee caregiving behaviors are evidenced in
A) subjecting victims during attack
B) helping younger siblings
C) leaving the ill or dying to be alone
D) leave orphans, ensuring that they do not become burdens to the group
E) the lack of altruism

Accepted Answer

Chimpanzees have been observed helping younger siblings by carrying them, grooming them, and even sharing food with them. This behavior is evidence of caregiving instincts in the species. The other options either involve aggressive or indifferent behavior, which are not indicative of caregiving.

Question 10

Studies of nonhuman primate behavior
A) have no relevance for understanding human behavior
B) may provide valuable insights into human behavioral evolution
C) has not been shaped by genetic and environmental factors
D) offer familiar examples of individual and social behaviors but are not helpful in identifying the interactions between a number of environmental and physiological variables
E) are indicative of how humans were once monkeys

Accepted Answer

Nonhuman primate behavior can provide valuable insights into the evolution of human behavior, as humans and nonhuman primates share similar genetic and physiological traits. However, it is important to note that human behavior is also influenced by cultural and societal factors, which are not present in nonhuman primates.

Question 11

Primate behavior is best viewed as being
A) influenced by environmental factors
B) entirely genetic in origin
C) independent of environmental factors
D) entirely learned and without any genetic basis
E) subject to very few factors

Accepted Answer

While genetics play a role in primate behavior, environmental factors such as social structure, habitat, and available resources also have a significant influence. Primate behavior is best viewed as being shaped by both nature and nurture.

Question 12

In many primate species, ________ have/has a central role in reinforcing social relationships.
A) play
B) coalition formation
C) dominance hierarchies
D) food-sharing
E) grooming

Accepted Answer

Grooming has been observed as a central activity for reinforcing social relationships in many primate species, including chimpanzees, bonobos, and macaques. It has been observed to reduce tension and stress, create a sense of social bonding, and improve cooperation within groups. While play, coalition formation, dominance hierarchies, and food-sharing may also contribute to social relationships in primates, grooming appears to be the most significant factor.

Question 13

Primate groups composed of several adult males and females are advantageous in areas where
A) there are few sleeping sites
B) humans are active
C) primates are crepuscular
D) predation pressure is high
E) predation pressure is low

Accepted Answer

Primate groups with multiple adult males and females can better defend against predators, making this social structure advantageous in areas with high predation pressure.

Question 14

What is chest slapping by gorillas an example of?
A) reassurance gesture
B) submission
C) display
D) involuntary behavior
E) affiliative behavior

Accepted Answer

Chest slapping is a display behavior commonly used by male gorillas to assert dominance or attract mates.

Question 15

As a general rule, what do larger animals require?
A) fewer calories per unit of weight than smaller animals
B) more calories per unit weight than smaller animals
C) the same amount of calories per unit weight than smaller animals
D) no calories whatsoever
E) more testosterone

Accepted Answer

Larger animals require fewer calories per unit of weight than smaller animals due to differences in metabolic rates. Smaller animals have higher metabolic rates and thus need more calories per unit of weight to maintain their energy levels.

Question 16

Social relationships are crucial to nonhuman primates for all of the following reasons except:
A) Individuals support each other against outsiders
B) Alliances can be used to enhance the status of members
C) Resources can be protected
D) Order can be imposed by allowing individuals to attack each other
E) Predator avoidance

Accepted Answer

Allowing individuals to attack each other does not promote social stability and could lead to chaos and harm within the group. The other options (A, B, C, E) illustrate important benefits of social relationships in nonhuman primates.

Question 17

In the context of social groups, dominance hierarchies
A) are maintained by females only
B) are maintained by males only
C) are not present in any primate species
D) impose a certain amount of order within the group
E) have not been studied by primatologists

Accepted Answer

Dominance hierarchies are social systems that exist in many primate species, including chimpanzees, baboons, and macaques, as well as in other social animals such as wolves and chickens. These hierarchies involve the establishment of a ranking system within the group, with some individuals holding higher positions and others occupying lower ones. The dominant individuals typically have greater access to resources such as food, mates, and grooming partners, and they often use their higher status to exert control over others in the group. While dominance hierarchies can create some tension and conflict within social groups, they also serve to establish a certain degree of order and stability, as individuals learn to navigate their social environment and respect the authority of those above them in the ranking.

Question 18

Grooming accomplishes all except
A) plays an important role in the day-to-day life of nonhuman primates
B) is an affiliative behavior
C) occurs in a variety of contexts
D) reinforces social relationships
E) empathy

Accepted Answer

Empathy is not listed as an accomplishment of grooming in the given options.

Question 19

Which of the following statements is not true?
A) Adult primate males tend to be dominant to females.
B) Dominant individuals appear to have priority access to desired food items.
C) High-ranking females probably have higher reproductive success than subordinate females.
D) Dominance hierarchies create aggression and therefore do not impose a degree of order in primate societies.
E) In groups containing a number of females associated with one or several adult males, the males are generally dominant to females.

Accepted Answer

Dominance hierarchies do impose a degree of order in primate societies and are necessary for maintaining stability within the group. However, they can also lead to aggression in certain situations. Therefore, the statement "Dominance hierarchies create aggression and therefore do not impose a degree of order in primate societies" is not true.

Question 20

According to proponents of behavioral ecology,
A) individuals act to enhance the survival of their species
B) infanticide is beneficial for the social group
C) individuals consciously behave in ways that ensure their fitness
D) behaviors have evolved through the operation of natural selection
E) Individuals choose certain environments based upon the likelihood of carrying out aggressive behavior

Accepted Answer

Proponents of behavioral ecology believe that behaviors have evolved through the operation of natural selection, meaning that behaviors that enhance an individual's fitness are more likely to be passed down through generations.

Quiz 7: Primate Behavior

______ dispersal is the most common pattern in mammals, including primates.

___________ is the study of the evolution of behavior, emphasizing the role of ecological factors as agents of natural selection.

Altruism is a behavior that

Ecological factors influencing primate social behavior include which of the following?

Mounting as an expression of dominance in baboons is believed to also serve to

Some of the deliberate nonhuman primate behaviors that serve as communication include all of the following except

Primate social structure of a group of animals refers to

Amicable behaviors that promote group cohesion are called _______ behaviors.

Chimpanzee caregiving behaviors are evidenced in

Studies of nonhuman primate behavior

Primate behavior is best viewed as being

In many primate species, ________ have/has a central role in reinforcing social relationships.

Primate groups composed of several adult males and females are advantageous in areas where

What is chest slapping by gorillas an example of?

As a general rule, what do larger animals require?

Social relationships are crucial to nonhuman primates for all of the following reasons except:

In the context of social groups, dominance hierarchies

Grooming accomplishes all except

Which of the following statements is not true?

According to proponents of behavioral ecology,