Ecology and Life History Theory Quiz

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Questions and Answers

How does resource patchiness affect competition among organisms?

It increases competition by creating stronger conflict. (correct)

It decreases competition due to resource availability.

It leads to uniform resource distribution.

It has no impact on competition.

In unpredictable environments, what behavioral changes are organisms likely to exhibit?

Long-term planning and stability.

Higher savings and conservative behavior.

Reduced cooperation and social bonding.

Increased risk-taking and seeking immediate gratification. (correct)

What is a consequence of low resource availability in terms of reproductive strategies?

Increased competition for mates.

Delayed reproduction and heightened cooperation. (correct)

Faster reproduction and larger family sizes.

Reduction in social interactions.

In societies with high mortality rates, what kind of relationship strategies are commonly observed?

More frequent short-term relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What role do skin and disgust play in human defenses against pathogens?

Skin is the first line of defense, and disgust helps in avoiding potential threats. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the dual human immune system?

It combines classical immunity and behavioral avoidance mechanisms. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the signal detection problem concerning pathogens?

It can lead to both false positives and false negatives in detection. Signup and view all the answers

What psychological bias do people tend to exhibit towards pathogens?

Bias towards false positives, leading to heightened avoidance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increased levels of disgust on social engagement?

Decreased social engagement Signup and view all the answers

How does germ aversion relate to personality traits?

It corresponds with lower levels of extraversion Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential social outcome of pathogen salience?

Enhanced discriminatory behavior towards perceived disease carriers Signup and view all the answers

How may ethnicity and xenophobia be affected during pregnancy?

Pregnant women exhibit heightened ethnocentric and xenophobic attitudes Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of localized immunity?

Caste-specific immunity in Indians against malaria Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'coevolution' imply in the context of hosts and parasites?

An ongoing evolutionary race without resolution Signup and view all the answers

What is a response individuals may exhibit towards outgroup members in relation to health?

Perceived threat to the immune system Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant factor in how humans adapted to infectious diseases historically?

Continuous adaptation through natural selection Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Resources and Competition

Resource availability influences reproductive strategies and social behavior.
High patchiness in resources leads to stronger competition and increased conflict.
Unpredictable environments promote risk-taking and novel food consumption.
Low resource availability results in delayed reproduction, increased cooperation, and more conservative resource use.
Patchiness can lead to social jealousy, while unpredictability fosters a preference for immediate gratification.

Life History Theory

High mortality rates are associated with younger ages at marriage and teen pregnancies.
Environments with high mortality often lead to more short-term relationship strategies.
Individuals exposed to violence may prioritize immediate rewards, such as marriage and children.
These environments can heighten vigilance and fear, potentially increasing violent tendencies.
Collectivism is a common trait observed in these high-mortality contexts.

Pathogen Threats and Behavioral Responses

Constant exposure to microbes and pathogens influences immune systems and behaviors.
Stronger immunity genes may increase susceptibility to infectious diseases.
Infectious diseases are a major cause of mortality, particularly in children.
The human immune system is complex, involving both classical and behavioral responses.
Physical defenses like skin provide the first line of defense against pathogens.
Disgust is a key behavioral response to pathogen threats; it's sensitive to potential contact routes like physical interaction.
Avoidance of potential sources of infection is a significant behavioral response (e.g. food, animals, individuals).
Signal detection errors include false positives (perceiving a threat that isn't there) and false negatives (failing to recognize a real threat).
Human psychology biases towards false positives, prioritizing avoidance.
Avoiding potential pathogens comes with costs (missed opportunities).
Individuals with perceived weaker immune systems are more inclined to avoid potential risks.
Disgust is critical for avoiding pathogen transmission, triggered by cues like smell or visible contamination, but also perceived risks.
This can lead to reduced social engagement.
This includes prejudice against individuals perceived as higher infection risks (e.g., those with disabilities, obesity).
Prejudice against unfamiliar groups (ethnocentrism and xenophobia) can also affect interactions.
Pregnant women in the first trimester, with naturally suppressed immunity, show heightened ethnocentrism and xenophobia.
This response stems from an ongoing evolutionary "arms race" between hosts and parasites. New versions of pathogens emerge, forcing humans to adapt and develop new immunity.
Co-evolution means localized immunity adaptations offer protection against local parasites but not others.
This can potentially lead to prejudice against outgroup members deemed threats to the immune system.
Examples include specific disease prevalence amongst different populations, leading to immunity adaptations in certain groups.

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Description

Explore the intricate relationships between resource availability, competition, and life history strategies in this quiz. Delve into how environmental factors shape reproductive behavior, social dynamics, and response to mortality rates. Test your understanding of these critical ecological concepts.