Evolutionary Biology: Universal Darwinism

What is the core idea of universal Darwinism?

Natural selection operates on any replicator. (correct)
Memes are the only replicators on the planet.
Natural selection operates only on genes.
Genes are not subject to natural selection.

What is a characteristic of a replicator?

It is always perfect.
It gets itself copied. (correct)
It never makes errors.
It cannot be copied.

What is the main difference between genes and memes as replicators?

Genes are physical, while memes are abstract. (correct)
Genes are replicators, while memes are not.
Genes evolve slowly, while memes evolve quickly.
Genes are subject to natural selection, while memes are not.

What happens to variants of a replicator that have properties that cause them to be copied at a faster rate?

They come to dominate the replicator population. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a meme?

An idea or belief that can be passed on via social learning. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key process that occurs in the transmission of memes?

Social learning and transmission from one mind to another. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate function of a cultural entity or institution?

To replicate itself (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the core idea of memetics?

Memes are subject to natural selection (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of 'selfish' cultural artifacts, such as chain letters and hoax emails?

To pass themselves on (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are memes similar to, in terms of natural selection?

Genes (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a 'selfish' meme?

A hoax email (D) Signup and view all the answers

What drives the evolution of cultural artifacts, such as memes?

Natural selection (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential advantage of a meme that promotes its bearer's longevity?

It increases its chances of being copied by others (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of a meme that shortens its bearer's life?

It curtails its chances of spreading (A) Signup and view all the answers

How do memes that promote their bearer's reproductive success increase their chances of spreading?

By increasing the chances of the bearer's children inheriting the meme (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor contributing to the success of Christianity as a meme?

Its teachings include instructions to convert others to the faith (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why do religions that proselytize tend to have more adherents than those that do not?

Because they are more memetically fit (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the analogy between sex and proselytizing in the context of memes?

Sex spreads genes, while proselytizing spreads memes (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why memes survive and spread?

Because they have properties that keep them in circulation (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of memes getting better and better at surviving and spreading through cultural competition?

The world gets more addictive (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a group of memes that coevolve and coordinate with one another?

Memeplex (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the analogy used to describe the success of memes, despite being harmful or useless?

Junk DNA (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of selection in culture, similar to selection in biology?

Creation of an illusion of intelligent design (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept described by Susan Blackmore as a world full of hosts for memes and far more memes than can possibly find homes?

Life of Meme-ing (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a chain letter?

To get itself copied and transmitted (C) Signup and view all the answers

What drives the evolution of chain letters?

The natural selection of variants that are more appealing (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why do successful chain letters multiply at a faster rate?

Because they are more effective at getting themselves copied (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of chain letters and hoax computer virus warnings?

They are both forms of social manipulation (A) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to variants of chain letters that are less appealing?

They are eliminated from the population (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying mechanism that drives the evolution of chain letters and memes?

Blind and mindless selection (A) Signup and view all the answers