Biology, Evolution, and Science-Religion Tension
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Questions and Answers

What percentage of scientists are persuaded that 'human beings have developed over millions of years'?

  • 99%
  • 90%
  • 95% (correct)
  • 85%

    • What is the main focus of the text in relation to human beings?

  • Understanding gender differences
  • Investigating the relationship between science and religion
  • Analyzing the impact of DNA research on society
  • Exploring the influence of human nature and cultural diversity (correct)

    • In evolutionary science, what are the main mechanisms believed to explain the emergence of life?

  • Mutation and genetic engineering
  • Mutation and natural selection (correct)
  • Selective breeding and genetic modification
  • Genetic drift and artificial selection

    • What enables humans to have a culturally adaptive brain?

    <p>Genes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the text describe Jan and Tomoko's similarities?

    <p>They possess common behavior tendencies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What marvel of nature is described as an engineering marvel encoding and transmitting a rich stream of information?

    <p>The human eye</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which perspective is highlighted as essential for understanding human similarities and differences in the text?

    <p>Evolutionary perspective</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which country experiences the most intense controversy regarding the idea of evolution, according to the text?

    <p>United States</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the metaphor used in the text to describe human biology and culture?

    <p>Computer hardware and software</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What proportion of adults in the United States do not believe that evolution accounts for 'how human beings came to exist on Earth'?

    <p>Half</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text suggest about the relationship between mate preferences and evolutionary psychology?

    <p>Mate preferences are influenced by our successful ancestors' desires.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key criticism raised by some critics of evolutionary psychology?

    <p>Evolutionary psychologists often start with a cause and work backward to find an effect.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do some biologists view the use of hindsight in evolutionary theory?

    <p>It is criticized for leading to biased outcomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What similarity exists between evolutionary explanations and functionalism theory?

    <p>They share a logic pattern where a function justifies a behavior's occurrence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the text portray the relationship between mate preferences and evolutionists' predictions?

    <p>Mate preferences align precisely with predictions made by evolutionists.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does Alan Leshner believe that science and religion are not adversaries?

    <p>Because science and religion can co-exist comfortably and provide important benefits to society.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did St. Augustine anticipate according to the text?

    <p>The universe's capacity to transform from unformed matter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the universe described as 'marvelous' by cosmologists in the text?

    <p>Because it is extraordinarily right for producing life as we know it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of the text, what role does evolution play in making sense of biology?

    <p>'Nothing makes sense in biology except in the light of evolution.'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it stated in the text that if gravity had been stronger or weaker, our universe would not have produced life?

    <p>To highlight the fine-tuned conditions required for life to exist in our universe.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Paul Davies conclude about nature based on his research in cosmology?

    <p>Nature is designed to produce self-replicating information-processing systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do evolutionary psychologists test their predictions according to the text?

    <p>By using data from animal behavior, cross-cultural observations, and hormonal and genetic studies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major concern raised by critics about evolutionary psychology as mentioned in the text?

    <p>The reinforcement of male-female stereotypes through evolutionary speculation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the evolutionary psychologists mentioned in the text, what does evolutionary wisdom provide insights into?

    <p>What behaviors were successful in our early history as a species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main concern regarding evolutionary explanations for certain behaviors like gang violence, homicidal jealousy, and rape according to the text?

    <p>That such explanations reinforce and justify male aggression as natural behaviors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the hallmark of our species according to the text?

    <p>Our capacity to learn and adapt</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the text describe humans in comparison to bees, birds, and bulldogs?

    <p>Humans are on a looser genetic leash</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to social psychologist Roy Baumeister, what did evolution make humans for?

    <p>For cultural adaptation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does evolutionary psychology view the interaction between nature and nurture?

    <p>As interacting to form individuals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What enables cultural diversity among different human populations?

    <p>Shared human biology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do critics of evolutionary psychology argue that our common evolutionary heritage cannot fully explain the enormous cultural variation in human marriage patterns?

    <p>Because cultural changes in behavior patterns can occur rapidly over mere decades.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Douglas Kenrick (1987), why might sex differences in behavior have been relevant to our ancestors gathering roots and hunting squirrels on the plains of Northern Africa?

    <p>They aided in survival by contributing to the division of labor between males and females.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the Theory of Parental Investment and Sexual Selection in understanding mating partner choice in species with differing parental investments?

    <p>It predicts that the higher-investing sex will be more selective in choosing mating partners.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do critics of evolutionary psychology view the relevance of sex differences in modern society compared to our ancestors' times?

    <p>They argue that modern society renders traditional sex differences less directly 'adaptive.'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In light of cultural variation in human marriage patterns, what do critics believe is culture's primary shaping power?

    <p>The capacity of individuals to adapt and change based on environmental factors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do critics argue that evolution alone cannot account for the diverse cultural behaviors related to marriage, such as spouse swapping?

    <p>Because cultural changes can occur rapidly, leading to varied marriage patterns within societies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does adaptation play in shaping human behavior, according to the information provided?

    <p>Adaptation is vital for explaining the behavioral changes seen over mere decades in human societies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do critics argue that sex differences in behavior, which were relevant to ancestral survival, may not be as adaptive in modern information-oriented societies?

    <p>Because big biceps and gushing testosterone are no longer essential for survival or success in modern professions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do critics view the role of cultural adaptation when it comes to understanding the enormous variation in human marriage patterns?

    <p>They argue that cultural adaptation falls short in explaining rapid changes seen in marriage patterns over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do critics challenge the idea that evolution can solely explain the vast cultural differences observed in human marriage patterns?

    <p>Because evolution theory does not adequately consider the rapid pace at which cultural behaviors can change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Early hominids migrated only within Africa due to the availability of food and climate change.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to anthropologists, if we trace our ancestors back 100,000 years or more, we would find that all humans originated from Africa.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Humans who evolved lighter skin pigment went far south of the equator.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Historically, all humans are not traced back to Africa.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Humans are genetically more varied than chimpanzees.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Half of adults in the United States believe that evolution accounts for 'how human beings came to exist on Earth'

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    95 percent of scientists are convinced that 'human beings have developed over billions of years'

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Mutation and natural selection are the main mechanisms believed by most scientists to explain the emergence of life

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Human beings are the only species that possess the marvel of the human eye

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Nature selects mutations over time to produce improved biological designs

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    All cultures have their accepted ideas about appropriate behavior, as illustrated by etiquette rules.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The statement 'East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet' holds true in today's world.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Achieving peace in a conflict-laden world requires an appreciation for both differences and similarities among cultures.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The social norms and expectations in different cultures are perceived as a force that liberates individuals from traditional practices.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    As we interact with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, understanding how our cultures shape us and differ from each other is not essential.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Jan and Tomoko have more differences than similarities.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Cultural diversity among different human populations is solely determined by genetic factors.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Human beings have no shared behavior patterns due to their diverse cultural backgrounds.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Evolutionary perspective emphasizes human diversity over human kinship.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Social diversity has no impact on the questions faced by alien scientists according to the text.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Evolutionary psychology critics believe that our common evolutionary heritage alone can predict the enormous cultural variation in human marriage patterns.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Douglas Kenrick, big biceps and high testosterone levels are directly relevant in modern information-oriented societies.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Critics of evolutionary psychology argue that sex differences in behavior, relevant to our ancestors' survival, are equally adaptive in modern information-oriented societies.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Nature has endowed humans with the capacity to adapt, learn, and change as the most significant trait.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Evolutionary psychology suggests that culture's shaping power lies in humans' inability to adapt to new environments.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Chimpanzees exhibit a high capacity for language similar to that of humans.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Monkeys have been observed to pass on learned food-washing techniques to future generations.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Humans are the only species capable of accumulating progress across generations as efficiently as humans.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Other animals show more advanced cultural behaviors and language capabilities compared to humans.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Our nineteenth-century ancestors had access to advanced technologies like cars, indoor plumbing, and the internet.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    All cultures share the same ideas about appropriate behavior.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Humans are genetically less varied than chimpanzees, as mentioned in the text.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Early hominids migrated beyond Africa due to food availability and climate change, according to the text.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    All humans can trace their origins back to Africa based on anthropological evidence.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Half of adults in the United States believe that evolution explains how human beings came to exist on Earth.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Cultural adaptation plays a significant role in understanding the vast cultural variation observed in human marriage patterns, according to critics.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Humans are viewed as having a culturally adaptive brain based on the information provided.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The statement 'East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet' aligns with the views presented in the text.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Humans possess a shared evolutionary heritage that fully explains the immense cultural variation observed in marriage patterns, according to critics.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The text implies that human migration was limited to within Africa for early hominids due to food availability.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

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