The food-scarce environment of our ancestors likely led to humans' propensity to gorge when food is available and to crave high-caloric foods, a trait that might lead to an epidemic of obesity when food is plentiful. This illustrates how
A) socialization influences the development of behavior and cognitive skills in human beings.
B) evolved mechanisms are not always adaptive in contemporary society.
C) organisms pass on characteristics they acquire during their lifetime to their offspring.
D) the benefits of evolutionary selection decrease with age.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This statement highlights the fact that traits that were advantageous in the past might be maladaptive in contemporary society, where food is readily available. This is an example of how evolved mechanisms are not always adaptive in modern environments. The other answer choices are incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the concept being illustrated in the statement.

The Food-Scarce Environment of Our Ancestors Likely Led to Humans