Deck 3: Genes, Evolution, and Environment

Question 1

Sociobiologists predict that, compared to males, females should be more likely to:

A) be polygamous.
B) be monogamous.
C) choose a young, attractive mate.
D) be promiscuous.

Answer 1

be monogamous.

Question 2

The average IQ gap between severely malnourished children and well-nourished children can be as high as:

A) 5 points.
B) 10 points.
C) 15 points.
D) 20 points.

Answer 2

20 points.

Question 3

Each human chromosome has:

A) 23 pairs of genes.
B) 23 genes.
C) 46 pairs of genes.
D) thousands of genes.

Answer 3

thousands of genes.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the position of most psychologists today on the nature-nurture issue?

A) Nature and nurture interact to produce both our psychological and physical traits.
B) Nature is more important in producing our physical traits, whereas nurture is more important in producing our psychological traits.
C) Nature is more important in producing our psychological traits, whereas nurture is more important in producing our physical traits.
D) Some of our psychological traits are produced primarily by nature and some by nurture, but nature is most important in producing our physical traits.

Question 5

Which of the following arguments do the critics of sociobiology highlight?

A) Human male patterns of sexual preferences and behaviors are also observed in the males of many other species.
B) In some species, males are monogamous and, in other species, females are promiscuous.
C) In surveys of humans, females rank qualities like kindness and intelligence as more important in the selection of a mate than males do.
D) In the majority of world cultures, males are more likely to be promiscuous and undiscriminating in selection of a sexual partner compared to females.

Question 6

An example of a characteristic that is either present at birth in all humans or develops rapidly during maturation would be:

A) strong eyesight.
B) a fear of new things.
C) an understanding of numbers.
D) leadership qualities.

Question 7

Sociobiologists argue that:

A) human social and sexual practices are learned.
B) human social and sexual practices are too unique and varied to be due to evolutionary factors.
C) although biology determines many human characteristics, social behaviors result from the effects of culture alone.
D) social behavior in animals, including human beings, can be explained by evolutionary concepts.

Question 8

_______________ is defined as a statistical estimate of the proportion of the total variance in some trait that is attributable to genetic differences among individuals within a group.

A) Heredity
B) Heritability
C) Diversity
D) Expressivity

Question 9

Genes are located on _______________, rod-shaped structures found in the nucleus of the cell.

A) ribosomes
B) chromosomes
C) genomes
D) DNA

Question 10

Which of the following statements is true about heritability?

A) Heritability allows a person to determine how much of his or her intelligence is determined by genetics.
B) A trait with high heritability generally cannot be modified by experience.
C) If a trait is determined to be highly heritable in one environment, it will be so in all environments.
D) Heritability cannot be directly measured; it must be inferred based on studies of people with a known degree of genetic similarity.

Question 11

According to your textbook, which of the following is an innate human characteristic?

A) an impulse to lie and cheat
B) an impulse to play
C) a preference for consistency
D) management skills

Question 12

According to Professor Sandoval, the development of inheritable traits that helped our biological ancestors survive might help explain commonalities in human behavior today. She is most likely to consider herself:

A) an epigenesist.
B) an evolutionary psychologist.
C) an empiricist.
D) a sociocultural psychologist.

Question 13

Sociobiologists suggest that humans behave in ways that will:

A) optimize the chance of passing on their genes at the expense of the genes of their relatives.
B) maximize the propagation of their genes and those of their close relatives.
C) optimize the chances for males, but not for females, to propagate their genes.
D) optimize the chances for females, but not for males, to propagate their genes.

Question 14

According to sociobiologists, it is evolutionarily beneficial for females to:

A) attach themselves to dominant males.
B) compete with other females for access to young males.
C) have more male offspring than female offspring.
D) be promiscuous and drawn to sexual novelty.

Question 15

_______________ are rod-shaped and paired structures made of DNA, and are located in the nucleus of a cell.

A) Chromosomes
B) Genomes
C) Genes
D) Genetic markers

Question 16

Which of the following best describes what a "mental module" is?

A) a specific brain area that has evolved a particular function
B) a mental process that is taught from generation to generation
C) a specialized mental process that has evolved through natural selection
D) an area of the brain where ancestral memories are stored

Question 17

Estimates of the heritability of intelligence:

A) are higher for adults than children.
B) are higher for children than adults.
C) do not change with age.
D) fluctuate almost every day according to the environment.

Question 18

A longitudinal study discussed in your textbook used MRI scans to study the development of the cerebral cortex as children aged. Which of the following is one of the findings from this study?

A) In the brightest children, the cerebral cortex is always thicker than it is in other children.
B) The cortex in very bright children develops more rapidly and for a longer time than it does in other children.
C) The cortex in average children reaches its maximum thickness several years later than it does in bright children.
D) In children with average IQs, the cortex reaches maximum thickness at age 11 or 12.

Question 19

_______________ may occur because of mistakes made when DNA copies itself during cell divisions or because of environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

A) Mutations
B) Noncoding DNA
C) Epigenetics
D) Twins

Question 20

The functional units of heredity that are located on chromosomes, are composed of DNA, and specify the structure of proteins are called:

A) genomes.
B) ribosomes.
C) genes.
D) nuclei.

Question 21

_______________, the basic units of heredity, are located on chromosomes.

A) Ribosomes
B) Cells
C) Genes
D) Nuclei

Question 22

Which of the following best describes the position of most psychologists today on the nature-nurture issue?

A) Nature and nurture interact to produce both our psychological and physical traits.
B) Nature is more important in producing our physical traits, whereas nurture is more important in producing our psychological traits.
C) Nature is more important in producing our psychological traits, whereas nurture is more important in producing our physical traits.
D) Some of our psychological traits are produced primarily by nature and some by nurture, but nature is most important in producing our physical traits.

Question 23

According to Professor Sandoval, the development of inheritable traits that helped our biological ancestors survive might help explain commonalities in human behavior today. She is most likely to consider herself:

A) an epigenesist.
B) an evolutionary psychologist.
C) an empiricist.
D) a sociocultural psychologist.

Question 24

Empiricists would agree that:

A) experience can write virtually any message on the blank slate of human nature.
B) an impulse for young mammals to play and fool around may be biologically adaptive.
C) just as a bird is designed to fly, human beings are designed to use language.
D) men are genetically wired to be promiscuous and women to be monogamous.

Question 25

All of the cells of the human body (except for sperm and ova cells) contain _______________ chromosomes.

A) 23
B) 46
C) 23,000
D) 46,000

Question 26

_______________ is an interdisciplinary field of study concerned with the genetic bases of individual differences in behavior and personality.

A) Behavioral genetics
B) Evolutionary psychology
C) Empiricism
D) Functionalism

Question 27

The functional units of heredity that are located on chromosomes, are composed of DNA, and specify the structure of proteins are called:

A) genomes.
B) ribosomes.
C) genes.
D) nuclei.

Question 28

With regard to the interaction between human genes and experiences:

A) genes can affect one's experiences, but experiences cannot affect genes.
B) experiences can affect genes, but genes cannot affect experiences.
C) both genes and experiences can affect each other.
D) the effects of genes and experience are independent.

Question 29

_______________ are DNA segments that vary considerably among individuals and whose locations on the chromosome are already known.

A) Bases
B) RNA
C) Genomes
D) Genetic markers

Question 30

The A, T, C, and G molecules in DNA code for the synthesis of:

A) genes.
B) amino acids.
C) chromosomes.
D) proteins.

Question 31

Each human chromosome has:

A) 23 pairs of genes.
B) 23 genes.
C) 46 pairs of genes.
D) thousands of genes.

Question 32

_______________ lies outside the genes and is sometimes called "junk DNA."

A) RNA
B) Autosomal DNA
C) Noncoding DNA
D) Mitochondrial DNA

Question 33

The four basic chemical elements that hold the two helixes of DNA together are identified by the letters:

A) A, G, P, D.
B) A, T, C, G.
C) G, D, B, T.
D) G, C, Y, T.

Question 34

Genes are located on _______________, rod-shaped structures found in the nucleus of a cell.

A) ribosomes
B) chromosomes
C) genomes
D) DNA

Question 35

The four basic chemical elements that hold the two helixes of DNA together are called:

A) thymine, histamine, cytosine, and almandine.
B) lysine, adenine, serine, and guanine.
C) thymine, adenine, cytosine, and guanine.
D) almandine, histamine, cytosine, and lysine.

Question 36

In the past, psychologists who emphasized the role of inborn characteristics on human behavior were called:

A) empiricists.
B) behaviorists.
C) nativists.
D) psychoanalysts.

Question 37

_______________ discovered the double helix structure of DNA.

A) Rosalind Franklin and Linus Pauling
B) Gregor Mendel and Charles Darwin
C) James Watson and Francis Crick
D) Janet Newman and Francis Collins

Question 38

The human genome is estimated to contain about _______________ genes.

A) 7,000
B) 22,000
C) 46,000
D) 303,000

Question 39

A nativist would claim that the chief determining factor of behavior and other psychological traits is:

A) operant conditioning.
B) classical conditioning.
C) the parent-child relationship.
D) heredity.

Question 40

_______________ are rod-shaped and paired structures made of DNA and are located in the nucleus of a cell.

A) Chromosomes
B) Genomes
C) Genes
D) Genetic markers

Question 41

Which of the following is the hypothesis an evolutionary psychologist is most likely to put forth?

A) Humans dislike bitter food because it indicates that the flavoring is artificial.
B) Humans are often scared of loud sirens because they are associated with the police.
C) Humans are often scared of snakes because this trait protected our ancestors from deadly bites.
D) Humans like sweet food because it is associated with special treats, like ice cream.

Question 42

Which of the following best describes the relationship between genes and traits?

A) Physical traits are usually determined by a single gene pair, whereas psychological traits are usually determined by multiple genes.
B) Psychological traits are usually determined by a single gene pair, whereas physical traits are usually determined by multiple genes.
C) Both physical and psychological traits are usually determined by multiple genes.
D) Both physical and psychological traits are usually determined by a single gene.

Question 43

The principle of natural selection was first formulated in general terms by the British naturalist:

A) Francis Crick.
B) Gregor Mendel.
C) James Watson.
D) Charles Darwin.

Question 44

Over the past 150 years, Darwin's ideas have been:

A) strongly challenged by findings in biology.
B) resoundingly supported by findings in anthropology, botany, and molecular genetics.
C) reexamined and found to be unscientific.
D) slowly replaced by newer theories, making Darwin's original theories only important from a historical point of view.

Question 45

Evolution can be defined as:

A) a change in gene frequencies within an organism that occurs over the organism's lifespan.
B) a change in learned behaviors that are taught from generation to generation.
C) a change in gene frequencies within a population over many generations.
D) the gradual increase in animal intelligence over generations, culminating in the development of homo sapiens.

Question 46

Sociobiologists suggest that humans behave in ways that will:

A) optimize the chance of passing on their genes at the expense of the genes of their relatives.
B) maximize the propagation of their genes and those of their close relatives.
C) optimize the chances for males, but not for females, to propagate their genes.
D) optimize the chances for females, but not for males, to propagate their genes.

Question 47

Which of the following best describes the principle of natural selection?

A) A species constantly improves as parents pass along their best traits to their offspring.
B) Over time, the amino acids producing defective traits are destroyed by the body.
C) Individuals with genetically influenced traits that are adaptive in a particular environment tend to survive and reproduce.
D) If a trait or characteristic is no longer adaptive, then the environment will create better, more adaptive traits.

Question 48

_______________ may occur because of mistakes made when DNA copies itself during cell divisions or because of environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

A) Mutations
B) Noncoding DNA
C) Epigenetics
D) Twins

Question 49

An example of a characteristic that is either present at birth in all humans, or develops rapidly during maturation, would be:

A) strong eyesight.
B) a fear of new things.
C) an understanding of numbers.
D) leadership qualities.

Question 50

Sociobiologists predict that, compared to males, females should be more likely to:

A) be polygamous.
B) be monogamous.
C) choose a young, attractive mate.
D) be promiscuous.

Question 51

_______________ is an interdisciplinary field that emphasizes evolutionary explanations of social behavior in animals, including human beings.

A) Evolutionary psychology
B) Sociobiology
C) Behavioral genetics
D) Eugenics

Question 52

One way scientists can search for genes that are associated with rare disorders is by carrying out:

A) experimental studies.
B) psychometric studies.
C) linkage studies.
D) noncoding studies.

Question 53

_______________ can help explain why identical twins and cloned genetically identical animals living in exactly the same environment may differ considerably in appearance and behavior.

A) Epigenetics
B) Noncoding DNA
C) Evolution
D) Mental modules

Question 54

Which of the following best describes what a "mental module" is?

A) a specific brain area that has evolved a particular function
B) a mental process that is taught from generation to generation
C) a specialized mental process that has evolved through natural selection
D) an area of the brain where ancestral memories are stored

Question 55

When he is teaching a class on "Our Human Heritage," Professor Frohardt, a sociobiologist, is likely to contend that:

A) evolution has bred into each of us a tendency to act in ways that maximize our chances of passing on our genes.
B) evolution can explain simple behaviors, such as smiling or recognizing emotions, but it cannot account for complex social customs, such as taboos against female adultery.
C) males and females of a species are affected by the same evolutionary pressures.
D) the differences between the mating behaviors of men and women are largely cultural.

Question 56

The study of stable changes in the expression of a particular gene that occur without changes in DNA base sequences is called:

A) molecular biology.
B) epigenetics.
C) evolutionary psychology.
D) behavioral genetics.

Question 57

Sociobiologists argue that:

A) human social and sexual practices are learned.
B) human social and sexual practices are too unique and varied to be due to evolutionary factors.
C) although biology determines many human characteristics, social behaviors result from the effects of culture alone.
D) social behavior in animals, including human beings, can be explained by evolutionary concepts.

Question 58

Which of the following describes how new genetic variations arise?

A) During the production of the sperm and egg, genes can spontaneously mutate and recombine to create new traits.
B) Natural selection causes stable genes to begin to mutate.
C) When a new trait is required for an organism's survival, the body begins to create new genes by recombining DNA sequences from existing genes.
D) The least "fit" members of a species acquire genetic material from the "fittest" members.

Question 59

According to your textbook, which of the following is an innate human characteristic?

A) an impulse to lie and cheat
B) an impulse to play
C) a preference for consistency
D) management skills

Question 60

Linkage studies are used to help determine:

A) where a gene for a particular trait is likely to be located.
B) where and how genetic mutations take place.
C) a map of the human nucleus.
D) where the boundaries between individual genes are located.

Question 61

Which among the following arguments do the critics of sociobiology highlight?

A) Human male patterns of sexual preferences and behaviors are also observed in the males of many other species.
B) In some species, males are monogamous and, in other species, females are promiscuous.
C) In surveys of humans, females rank qualities like kindness and intelligence as more important in the selection of a mate than males do.
D) In the majority of world cultures, males are more likely to be promiscuous and undiscriminating in selection of a sexual partner compared to females.

Question 62

Which of the following is true, according to the critics of evolutionary psychology?

A) The responses of men and women to surveys about sex and mating are often a poor indication of their actual behavior.
B) Evolutionary psychologists have tended to rely on data from case studies, which can be a poor guide to the sexual behaviors of participants.
C) Modern humans are not affected by evolutionary pressures.
D) Too few studies have been done to conclude that sex differences exist.

Question 63

According to sociobiologists, it is evolutionarily beneficial for males to:

A) conserve resources by having only a few children.
B) be choosy in their selection of sexual partners.
C) seek secure, stable relationships to ensure the fidelity of females.
D) be promiscuous and drawn to sexual novelty.

Question 64

Which of the following is a reason critics challenge the evolutionary views of sex differences in dating and mating?

A) The behavior of humans often fails to conform to the stereotyped images of sexually promiscuous males and coy females.
B) Evolutionary psychologists have tended to rely on data from case studies, which can be a poor guide to participants' actual sexual behaviors.
C) Modern humans are not affected by evolutionary pressures.
D) In most societies, it is no longer evolutionarily beneficial for males to have as many offspring as they can.

Question 65

The "Fred Flintstone problem" discussed in your textbook refers to the critique that evolutionary psychologists:

A) assume attractive "Wilmas" will mate with unattractive "Freds" who are good providers.
B) assume our ancestors' societies were very similar to our own.
C) believe that our ancestors coexisted with dinosaurs.
D) place too much emphasis on the Pleistocene Age.

Question 66

_______________ is defined as a statistical estimate of the proportion of the total variance in some trait that is attributable to genetic differences among individuals within a group.

A) Heredity
B) Heritability
C) Diversity
D) Expressivity

Question 67

One way of inferring heritability in humans is by comparing identical twins with:

A) monozygotic twins.
B) biological parents.
C) dizygotic twins.
D) siblings.

Question 68

According to sociobiologists, it is evolutionarily beneficial for females to:

A) attach themselves to dominant males.
B) compete with other females for access to young males.
C) have more male offspring than female offspring.
D) be promiscuous and drawn to sexual novelty.

Question 69

Evolutionary psychologists and sociobiologists would be most likely to agree that:

A) the study of nonhuman species is an effective method in exploring the evolution of human characteristics.
B) human males and females differ in their sexual strategies and practices.
C) the study of human dating and mating practices around the world is the most effective method in exploring sexual strategies.
D) the sexual behavior of the female does not seem to depend on the goal of fertilization because pregnant females continue to have sex.

Question 70

Which of the following is an important fact about heritability?

A) Estimates of heritability based on one group can be generalized to other groups.
B) Estimates of heritability are affected by the environment in which the people being studied live.
C) Heritability estimates apply only to a specific person, not groups of people.
D) When a trait is highly heritable, it cannot be modified by the environment.

Question 71

Which of the following methods is used for assessing heritability?

A) the study of families where most members share a particular trait
B) the study of siblings sharing highly similar traits
C) the comparison of identical twins with same-sex fraternal twins
D) the study of opposite-sex siblings separated shortly after birth and reared apart

Question 72

Which of the following would an evolutionary psychologist expect to be more typical of females than of males?

A) promiscuity
B) choosiness about sexual partners
C) concern with dominance
D) emphasis on physical attractiveness of partners

Question 73

To gather data about sexual behavior, evolutionary psychologists have relied heavily on:

A) case studies.
B) naturalistic observation.
C) questionnaires.
D) laboratory studies.

Question 74

Which of the following statements support the critics of evolutionary psychologists?

A) In most species of birds, fish, and mammals, males are sexually ardent and often have many female partners.
B) Very few females have sex when they are ovulating or pregnant.
C) Males in many species stick around and feed infants.
D) Sexual attitudes vary very little between cultures.

Question 75

Heritability is defined as:

A) an interdisciplinary field of study concerned with the genetic bases of individual differences in behavior and personality.
B) a process in which individuals with genetically influenced traits that are adaptive in a particular environment tend to survive and reproduce.
C) a statistical estimate of the proportion of the total variance in some trait that is attributable to genetic differences among individuals within a group.
D) a statistical estimate of the proportion of the total variance in some trait that is attributable to environment.

Question 76

Evolutionary psychologists have found from extensive studies around the world that:

A) women, compared to men, are more interested in the physical attractiveness of their partners.
B) women, compared to men, are more sexually jealous and possessive of their partners.
C) men, compared to women, are more likely to emphasize the prospects of a potential mate.
D) men, compared to women, are more interested in the youth of their partners.

Question 77

Which of the following statements is true of the various views on evolution and sexual strategies?

A) According to the critics of sociobiology, genes hold culture on a short and tight leash, allowing very little change in humans.
B) According to evolutionary psychologists, culture can modify some of the evolved biological tendencies in humans.
C) According to sociobiologists, cultural variations mean that no single, genetically determined sexual strategy exists for human beings.
D) According to the critics of evolutionary psychologists, biology overrides cultural differences.

Question 78

Vinay uses data from his study to estimate that the heritability of athletic ability is .60. This implies that about 60%:

A) of the variation in athletic ability is due to genetics.
B) of the variation in athletic ability is due to environment.
C) of people are athletic.
D) of people are not athletic.

Question 79

Convenience samples have often been used to study the sexual attitudes and behaviors of men and women. Which of the following is a problem with this research that is specifically related to this type of sampling method?

A) A participant's response on a survey may be a poor indication of how they will actually behave.
B) The results of these studies may not apply to the general population.
C) Many people are unwilling to answer questions about their sexual attitudes and behaviors.
D) Convenience samples are too small to allow for reliable conclusions.

Question 80

Which of the following statements is true about heritability?

A) Heritability allows a person to determine how much of his or her intelligence is determined by genetics.
B) A trait with high heritability generally cannot be modified by experience.
C) If a trait is determined to be highly heritable in one environment, it will be so in all environments.
D) Heritability cannot be directly measured; it must be inferred based on studies of people with a known degree of genetic similarity.