Psyc 602 Exam 1

1. What is the science that is being used to prove that Lamarck's ideas about evolution were not totally wrong? a. Epigenetics b. Radioactive dating c. Microbiology d. Fossil studies

a. epigenetics shows that things that occur during our lifetime can change our genes and the genes of our direct offspring

2. Why are females better at taking care of other creatures? a. Throughout history, females had the innate capability to nurture children and men were the providers. b. Males are built too strong to care for children, specifically infants. c. Females communicate with other animals better than males. d. all of the above

a. the role of the female has been to take care of the offspring, while the males were traditionally hunters

3. A human male lifting extra heavy weights in front of a female at the gym is an example of what? a. Sexual selection b. Signaling theory c. Lamark's theory of evolution d. Epigenetics

b. signaling theory is the idea that animals, including humans, signal each other to show information about themselves, especially their fitness

2. What is an example of sexual selection? a. Male seahorses giving birth to offspring b. A female horse choosing whether to reproduce or not c. A male peacock's brightly colored plumage d. A female elephant having a gestation period of 18 to 22 months

c. sexual selection is the idea that some species have traits that could be dangerous in terms of predators, but they help the animal reproduce

1. All of the following are examples of the signaling theory except? a. Wearing a wedding ring b. Tattoos c. Driving around campus playing loud music d. None of the above

d. none of the above- all of these are examples of signaling theory

True or false: all species come from the same ancestor

true

What is the main idea of Signaling Theory? A. Animals, including humans, send signals to each other to convey information about themselves. B. Humans enjoy looking at signals because it tells them about their environment. C. Animals learn from signals in their environment.

A. Animals, including humans, send signals to each other to convey information about themselves

Which of the following about Miller's signaling theory is false? A. individuals work hard for the good of the group B. individuals communicate information about the self, not the environment, to others C. Animals send signals in order to receive food/care from parents, threaten rivals, and/or attract mates D. signals are typically costly, hard to produce, and hard to fake

A. Individuals work hard for the good of the group

Which statement best supports Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection? [see G_McB Ch 2] a) The fittest organism is the one that most successfully reproduces organisms that successfully reproduce in turn b) The fundamental units of genetic material are unique to each species in keeping with the specificity of the niche each fills c) The evolutionary imperative of each species is to completely consume all resources and populate the earth d) 'Survival of the fittest' fully encapsulates Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection

A. The fittest organism is the one that reproduces organisms that also reproduce

What are the two components that make up the root of irrational fears? A.Feeling & reason B.Sensation & perception C.Personality & environment

A. feeling and reason are the 2 roots of irrational fears

Which of the following is an example of intrasexual selection? A.Two male rhinoceroses fighting each other for access to fertile females. B.Peahens choosing peacocks based on their brightly colored tail feathers. C.A female deer choosing a male deer based on the amount of resources he can provide her. D.All of the above.

A. intrasexual selection occurs when members of the same-sex compete with one another for access to mates of the opposite sex

3. Which of the following situations describes a male who is tolerated around food in bonobo society? A. A male bonobo with a influential mother in the hierarchy. B. A male bonobo who is good at sex. C. A male bonobo who is hostile towards females and masculine. D. None of the above. Male bonobos do not have access to food whatsoever.

A. only male bonobos with influential mothers are allowed near the food since it is a matriarchical society

3. What human cognitive trait is typically dominant after an event in order to provide an explanation to explain an individual's personal action? A. Rationality B. Honesty C. Fear D. Anxiety

A. rationality is used by the human race to justify actions after they occur

2. While sitting in class, Brianna first noticed the loud ceiling fan but after a while, she did not even notice the sound. This is an example of what cognitive process? A) Sensory habituation B) Systematic desensitization C) Sensory generalization D) Availability Heuristic Answer: A) Sensory habituation

A. sensory habituation is when you don't even care about a stimulus anymore

2. Why might one say that natural selection is a process that typically equilibrates with sexual selection? a) Traits derived in order to enhance reproductive success are normally trade-offs that also decrease survivability b) Sexual selection acts unevenly on the two sexes, leading to sexual dimorphism c) Sexual selection is a form of disruptive selection that limits the directional nature of natural selection d) a and b

A. sexually selective traits typically involve a trade-off. While it may enhance reproductive success, it could be costly to maintain or it may make species more susceptible to predators.

1. Which of the following is an example of the Environment of Evolutionary Adeptness? a. The way humans store fat b. Our preference for visual senses c. Drive for sexual reproduction d. Humans being social creatures

A. the EEA suggests that since adaptations occur slowly, many adaptations that were needed for our ancestors are not necessary today.

3. There are two species of frogs in a lake, one is black and the other is green. A local sewage plant has been dumping into this lake for a while, resulting in the darkening of the water. What is most likely to happen to the two species of frogs? a. The black frogs will become more common over time b. The green frogs will become more common over time c. All of the frogs will die from pollution d. A third species of frog will develop from the new environment

A. the black frogs will become more common over time because they will be able to avoid predators and pass this gene on to their offspring

According to Gardner in Fear, humans have two thought processes. What does he label these as? A.the gut & the head B.the caveman & the modern man C.instinct & reason D.all of the above

A. the gut and the head

1. Which of the following correctly describes the naturalistic fallacy? A. the mistaken idea that an evolutionary approach excuses many of society's evils on the basis that they are "natural" B. the mistaken idea that evolved traits are inflexible C. the mistaken idea that all mutations are beneficial D. the mistaken idea that all organisms are derived from a common ancestor

A. the mistaken idea than an evolutionary approach excuses many of society's evils on the basis that they are "natural"

2. In a recent article that was mentioned during class a female shark was able to reproduce without the presence of a male. A. True B. False

A. true

Which of the following is the best evolutionary explanation for why young males go around playing music with very loud bass? A. To appear to be dominant like the big animals which make bass-heavy noises in order to attract mates B. To distance themselves from their parents C. Because very loud noises remind them of a primal physiological pleasure D. Because we developed a liking to very loud bass noise having been around big animals at the beginning of our evolution

A. young males want to appear to be dominant like the big animals that make bass-heavy noise to attract mates

3. Which of the following is a reasonable evolutionary mechanism that explains why humans might be so interested in visiting zoos? A. Zoos allow humans to escape the cities and serve as a reminder of the wilderness humans thrived in 10,000 years ago. B. 10,000 years ago, it would have been evolutionarily adaptive for humans to take an interest in the animals around them. Such an interest might have provided early humans with insight that increased their chances of reproduction and survival. C. Humans are evolutionary descendants of some animals found within zoos. D. The human brain is intensely stimulated by the novelty of the exotic animals found in zoos.

B. 10,000 years ago, it would have been evolutionarily adaptive for humans to take an interest in the animals around them. Such an interest might have provided early humans with the insight that increased their chances of reproduction and survival

1. Homo sapiens sapiens are a species of modern humans that evolved from chimpanzee. A. True B. False

B. False- we more likely evolved from their cousins

4. Daniel Garnder's The Science of Fear, highlighted which of the following concepts? a. Our current fears are a byproduct of actual and rational reason b. Humans hold fear as an evolutionary factor for survival, which was once a lot more useful. c. Fear is an evolutionary trait that was never useful for the human species. d. none of the above

B. Fear was once a key to survival for humans, now it does not play as big of a role, but it is still necessary

3. Which of the following is the best example of spiteful behavior? A. Andrew takes one of Dustin's oreos because he is hungry B. William honks at others when he sees them breaking traffic laws, even though this puts him at risk for getting a ticket** C. Mary teases Sarah because she likes seeing her get annoyed D. Eric parks behind Mike even though he knows he will be blocking him in and inconveniencing Mike

B. Honking at others is an example of spiteful behavior

1. Most small animals do not respond to ______ frequency because they are most likely incapable of getting out of the way of a big animal such as an elephant stomping towards them. A. High B. Low C. Medium D. None of the above. They could respond well to all frequencies.

B. Low- small animals who could not respond to the low frequency of large animals would be eliminated

Which one of the following is NOT used to solicit individual qualities to others? A. One's qualities can solicit parental care B. One's qualities can solicit intelligence C. One's qualities can solicit care and investment from genetic relatives D. One's qualities can solicit social support E. One's qualities can solicit sexual partners

B. One's qualities can solicit intelligence

3. Which of the following is the most important benefit of signaling, according to Natural Selection? a. Signaling dominance b. Signaling to a mate to reproduce c. Signaling that you have excess time and energy d. Signaling that you have high quality physical traits and behaviors

B. Signaling to reproduce

1. Since what time period has the SSSM been the prevailing orthodoxy in psychology? A. 1980s B.1940s C.1950s D. 1960s

B. The SSSm has been the prevailing orthodoxy in psychology since the 1940s

2. Which of the following represents a pair of homologous structures? A. Human leg and arm B. Wing of a bat and the flipper of a whale C. Wings of a butterfly and the wings of a bird D. Cat tail and dog ear's

B. Wings of a bat and the flipper of a whale

Which is not one if the assumptions of the SSMM model? A. Genetic influence is very limited B. All traits are inherited C. Both are true D. None are true

B. all traits are inherited

2) According to the principle of Natural Selection, over time, have black moths or white moths become more common? A) Black moths, because they became harder to see. B) White moths, because they became easier to see. C) Both are present in fairly equal quantities D) Neither have become more common

B. black moths, because they became harder to see. They were more likely to survive and pass on their genes for dark color

3. Which human ancestor is responsible for our empathetic quality towards others? a. Apes b. Bonobos c. Chimpanzees d. Monkeys

B. bonobos

1. Which is NOT a definer of costly signals? A) Hard to fake B) Hard to rationalize C) Come with a price D) Hard to produce

B. costly signals ARE hard to fake, come with a price, and are hard to produce, but they are NOT hard to rationalize

1) Signals that are hard to produce, have a high expense, and threaten life are known as: a - role symbols b - costly signals c - evolutionary skills d - status techniques

B. costly signals have a high expense and are hard to produce

According to de Waal, cruelty depends on ______________. A.aggression B.empathy C.motive D.hate

B. empathy

The belief that evolutionary traits are fixed and inflexible is an example of: A.Darwin Theory B.Genetic fallacy C.Fixation theory D.Behaviorism

B. genetic fallacy shows that evolutionary beliefs are not always fixed

A car honks at another car when they run a stop light so that they draw attention to the person in the wrong- this is an example of: A.Social Loafing B.Moralistic aggression C.Spotlight affect D.Reciprocal altruism

B. moralistic aggression

Which functional explanation for perception in the form of vision best suits the perspective of an evolutionary psychologist? [see G_McB Ch 4] a) Sight is a tool for representing the world in a way that is accessible to thought. Ultimately, seeing allows one to form a perceptual belief b) Sight is used for the control of movement in order to attain an optimum environment as efficiently as possible c) Sight provides sensory information for modulation of our hypothalamic drives [food, sleep, sex] d) Sight is used primarily to judge distance in order to help us avoid collisions as we learn about our perceptual environment

B. sight is used for the control of movement in order to attain an optimum environment as efficiently as possible

3. Which of the following differentiates humans from other species and has ultimately caused their unparalleled success? a) communication b) social learning c) reproduction d) the invention of fire

B. social learning differentiates humans from other species and allows them to thrive

1) Rachel is willing to risk getting a ticket for honking to increase the chance that someone who almost crashed into her will get a ticket for running a red light. According to one of the articles discussed in our reading groups, what type of behavior is Rachel showing? A) Selfish Behavior B) Spiteful Behavior C) Aggressive Behavior D) Immoral Behavior

B. spiteful behavior

Q: "Adaptations may be out of date" -Explain this phrase. a. Evolution is an outdated theory; it is no longer relevant. b. Environments change quicker than the process of evolution. c. Evolution is no longer occurring, thus our adaptations are out of date. d. Evolution can only take place in "natural" conditions, we cannot adapt to modern conditions.

B. the environments of the Earth change more quickly than evolution occurs. There are some products of evolution that are not fit for the current environment. Ex. While it would be beneficial for us to be able to breathe carbon fumes, it is currently poisonous to us

What was the name of Charles Darwin's book where he first explained his theory of evolution? A.The Theory of Evolution B.The Origin of Species C. The Theory of Natural Selection D.The Origin of Evolution

B. the origin of species

Which of the following is false regarding formation of a new group? A. humans tend to stay put in one place and slow the pace of other groups moving in B. An advantage of forming a new group is your offspring will inherit surrounding lands and use them to reproduce C. Generally, humans practice open swapping of culture traits more frequently than they do passing down culture traits from the culture they descend from D. Where humans are most closely packed together, the most number of different societies are found

C. Generally, humans practice open swapping of culture traits more frequently than they do passing down culture traits from the culture they descend from

2. What was Lamark's Theory of Evolution and is it still relevant into today's theory of evolution? a. His theory states that traits change based on disuse and the environmental conditions; no it isn't relevant because it was proven incorrect by Darwin's theory of evolution. b. His theory states that traits are fixed by genetics due to how favorable they are in the environment; yes, it is relevant in the field of epigenetics. c. His theory states that traits change based on disuse and the environmental conditions; yes, it is relevant in the field of epigenetics. d. His theory states that traits are fixed by genetics due to how favorable they are in the environment; no it isn't relevant because it was proven incorrect by Darwin's theory of evolution.

C. His theory states that traits change based on use and disuse and it is relevant in the field of epigenetics

2. All of the following provide evidence for evolution EXCEPT: A. homologous structures B. similar embryonic development across species C. Lamarck's acquired characteristics D. the fossil record

C. Lamarck's acquired characteristics. Acquired characteristics, according to Lamarck, are NOT HERITABLE

Who used garden peas to study genetics? A.James Watson B.Francis Crick C.Gregory Mendel D.Fredrick Griffith

C. Mendel

What did Jean Lamark hypothesize? A.Variation is vital for organisms to change over time B.Organisms have adapted to their particular environments C.Organisms can change their traits during their lifetime by use or disuse

C. Organisms can change and acquire traits during their lifetime by use or disuse

Q: Fill in the blanks: Sexual selection favors ______ that provide benefits in context of ________. a. traits, fitness b. individuals, mating c. traits, mating d. individuals, gene pool

C. Sexual selection favors traits that provide benefits in the context of mating. Ex. peacock feathers in males

1. According to the DeWaal Reading what, next to death would be the worst punishment for the human species? A. Starvation B. Group Imprisonment C. Solitary Confinement D. Physical Labor

C. Solitary confinement is the worst punishment for humans due to the negative psychological and physical effects it has

What is the correct definition of evolution? A. Theory that organisms today did not develop from anything B. Theory that organisms developed from one simple species C. Theory that organisms developed from simple life forms and have changed over time D. Theory that organisms appeared out of nowhere

C. Theory that organisms developed from simple life forms and have changed over time

3. According to the DeWaal article cruelty depends on ___________ A) Ignorance B) Spite C) Empathy D) Belligerence

C. empathy

3) If animals evolved from a common ancestor, then they should share common structures. These structures are called: A) vestigial organs B) fossils C) homologous structures D) embryos

C. homologous structure

2) Humans have a complicated duality of personality, influenced by which two species? a - elephants and giraffes b - gorillas and orangutan c - chimpanzees and bonobos d - tigers and mandrills

C. humans have a personality influenced by both chimps and bonobos

1. Why has observing other animals been a really adaptive trait throughout human history? a. humans require entertainment to live b. humans get their traits from watching other animals c. humans avoided being eaten and ate through watching the actions of other animals d. humans needed to companionship of animals when they were isolated from humans

C. humans survived through knowing the actions of other animals and how to avoid being eaten by them

What is known as the mistaken idea that an evolutionary approach excuses many of the evils in society on the basis that they are natural? A. Realistic Fallacy B. Genetic Fallacy C. Naturalistic Fallacy D. Evolutionary Fallacy

C. naturalistic fallacy is the idea that an evolutionary approach excuses the evils in society on the basis that they are natural

2. The phenomenon whereby small cultures lose contact with those around them, thus causing them to fall behind in cultural evolution, is known as a) isolationism b) cultural avoidance c) random drift d) none of the above

C. random drift is the idea that small cultures will lose contact with those around them and will get culturally behind

Which of the following statements is correct? A.System 1 is Reason; it works slowly, carefully considers evidence, and tends to come to rational decisions. B.System 2 is Feeling; it works quickly, unconsciously, and makes decisions based on rules of thumb. C.System 2 is Reason; it works slowly, carefully considers evidence, and tends to come to rational decisions. D.None of the above.

C. system 2 is reason, which works slowly to consider evidence and tends to come to a rational decision

1. Which of the following is NOT an assumption of the Standard Social Science Model? a) Human psychology and more broadly the human mind is a blank slate that is changed and morphed by experience. Humans are not naturally inclined toward any behaviors or tendencies. b) Human learning occurs through at most a few general-purpose learning mechanisms that generate novel outputs (in the form of learned behaviors) from a wide variety of inputs. c) Psychological research is conducted empirically using the scientific method. Conclusions drawn via other means cannot be considered psychologically valid d) Biological constraints on human behavior are few in number and limited in their capacity. Genetics and innate drives like hunger play a subservient role to experience in guiding human behavior. e) None of the above

C. the SSSM focuses on the concept of experience over biology when it comes to traits, and it has nothing to do with psych research

2. Charles Darwin's studies on Galapagos finches ultimately concluded with what finding? a. All of the finches had similar diets and therefore a similar ancestor b. Certain finches had a higher reproductive rate than others c. Beak shapes were different depending on a finch's location d. Finches were going to become extinct within the next 100 years because of lack of food

C. the beak shapes of the finches were different based on their location because they had access to different foods

2. We use ______ of the visual image to avoid collision with objects. A. the degree of the reflected light B. the prediction of action C. the rate of expansion D. the variation of color

C. we use the rate of expansion of the visual image to avoid collision with objects

1. Which of the following is a core tenant of Evolutionary Psychology? a. All behavior is a of function psychological mechanisms and the input to the mechanisms. b. Evolved psychological mechanisms can not be used to describe information process devices. c. Natural selection and Sexual selection are the most important processes in psychological mechanisms. d. A&C

D. -the function of psychological mechanisms and their inputs are a core feature of EP. Also, natural and sexual selection are the base of evolution

Which of the following is NOT a core tenent of evolutionary psychology? A. all behavior is a function of psychological mechanisms and input to them from the environment B. Psychological mechanisms are functional, as they are designed to solve current problems in the EEA C. Psychological mechanisms are instantiated in the brain D. All of the above are

D. All of the above are

Which of these early evolutionary theorists predicted that psychology would one day be based off of the theory of evolution? A. Jean-Batiste Lamarck B. David Attenborough C. Napoleon Bonaparte D. Charles Darwin

D. Charles Darwin

Which of the following is not necessary for natural selection to occur? A. Differential Survival B. Heritability C. Genetic Variation D. Isolation of populations

D. Isolation of populations

3. Who was the French naturalist who proposed that evolution resulted from the inheritance of acquired characteristics during the organism's lifetime? A. Charles Darwin B. David Attenborough C. Napoleon Bonaparte D. Jean-Batiste Lamarck

D. Jean-Batiste Lamarck

3. Why do humans still get sick? a. Our environment is constantly changing. b. Humans do not evolve as fast as the environment. c. Pathogens are also evolving. d. all of the above

D. Other things are evolving as well, not just the human immune system

2. Which is not one of the criticisms of evolutionary psychology towards the SSSM? A. The SSSM offers no general unifying framework for all of psychology B. The SSSM erects an artificial wall between the natural and social sciences C. General-purpose learning mechanisms cannot explain the wide array of known environmental effects. Learning mechanisms are evolved and are shaped to serve particular narrow functions D. The SSSM focuses too much on the idea that development depends the interaction between the environment and genes

D. The SSSM does not focus enough on the idea that development depends on the interaction between environment and genes

2. Who benefits most from handicapping? a. Lower-quality animals that do not have an excess of energy. b. Lower-quality animals who are looking to mate with high-quality animals c. High-quality animals who have an excess of food and mating partners d. High-quality animals who have an excess of time and energy

D. The animal with the most time and energy are able to flaunt behaviors and physical traits so that others notice them

1. What is the best definition of a hominid? a. Any human-like species b. A bipedal species; walks on two legs c. An intelligent species; large brain, uses tools d. All of the above

D. a homonid is a human-like species that walks on two legs, has a large brain, and uses tools

3. Which of the following is evidence in support of Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution? A. Common ancestry B. Homologous structures C. Vestigial Organs and Embryonic Development D. All of the Above

D. all of the above

Which of the following is a vestigial organ? A.hind leg bones of a whale B.appendix of a human C.pelvic bone of a snake D.all of the above E.none of the above

D. all of the above are vestigial organs since they no longer have any use

3) Arguably, a great deal of the fear in society stems from what media outputs and individuals take in. As humans, we tend to generalize a situation from information that is constantly given to us, despite data that is contradictory to our generalizations. This generalization is known as: a - fear reaction b - evolutionary salience c - generalization capacity d - availability heuristic

D. availability heauristic makes us generalize fear to what we are shown

3. According to the Gaulin and McBurney reading, what is our most important sense? a. visional sense b. sense of smell c. sense of sound d. chemical sense

D. chemical sense

2. What is one advantage the human race seems to have over other species (Pagal)? A. Mating B. Environmental Integration C. Power Issues D. Cultural Learning

D. cultural learning

According to evolutionary psychology what is a key feature of a module? A.The Peacock Effect B.Prosopagnosia C.Natural Selection D.Domain Specificity

D. domain specificity is a key feature of the modular mind according to evolutionary psychology

3. Which of the following is not an example a polygenic trait in humans? a) Height b) Hair Color c) Skin Color d) Freckles e) Weight

D. freckles are controlled by only one gene, while the others are controlled by multiple

2. The purpose of human perception is to? a. Guides not only our movement but thoughts b. Paying attention to the constant stimuli around us c. Sensing change in our environment d. A & C e. All of the above

D. human perception guides our movements and helps us sense change in the environment

1. Which is not a major key to natural selection? a). inheritance b). variation c). differential reproduction d). identical reproduction

D. identical reproduction is not necessary for natural selection

Which of the following is NOT a pre-Darwinian belief? A.Earth is only a few thousand years old B.Organisms can change their traits during their lifetime by use or disuse C.The planet & the species on it have been the same since the beginning of time D.Organisms with the most adaptive traits for an environment will thrive

D. people did not believe in adaptation of traits for the thriving of a species

Why would a person value possession of a luxury and/or unique good such as the original Mona Lisa? [Miller '09] a) Possession of expensive items increases one's value to all potential mates as it signals optimal fitness for strictly environmental challenges b) Her enigmatic smile evokes passion in the viewer and compels reverence c) Possession of a unique item presents an opportunity to profit through mimicry d) Possession of expensive items increases one's fitness in the context of sexual selection [mate choice]

D. posession of expensive items increases one's fitness in the context of sexual selection

Which of the following statements is correct? A.Taste is both a contact sense and a distance sense. B.Smell is a chemical sense, while taste is not. C.There are only four different types of smells, while there are innumerable types of tastes. D.Smell is both a contact sense and a distance sense.

D. smell is both a contact sense and a distance sense

1. Q: What is the Nature-Nurture Dichotomy? Is it true or false? a. A gene can only be explained by "nature" or "nurture" but not both, it is true b. A gene can only be explained by "nature" or "nurture" but not both, it is false c. A trait can only be explained by "nature" or "nurture" but not both, it is true d. A trait can only be explained by "nature" or "nurture" but not both, it is false

D. the assumption that a trait can only be explained by the genetic makeup or environmental influences, but not both, is false. Both genetic makeup and environmental influences work together in the expression of traits

Which of the following is evidence for common ancestry? A.Homologous structures B.Embryo development C. Fossils D.A and B E.All of the above

E. All of the above

In regards to the human brain having two systems of thought, System One is what? A. Brilliant B. Flawed C. Considers D. Calculates E. Answer A and B

E. Both brilliant and flawed

5. Which is an example of "signaling" according to Geoffrey Miller? a. buying an expensive car b. Doing well in school to make your parents proud c. Trying to solicit social support d. Buying L'Oreal to look younger e. all of the above

E. These are all examples of signaling in order to obtain certain results

What specializations can be studied using evolutionary psychology? A. Cognitive Psychology B. Fear response C. Motivation D. Sensation and perception E. All of the above

E. all of the above