Evolutionary Psychology and Genetics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Why did Darwin initially delay publishing his theory of evolution?

He was awaiting confirmation of his ideas by other scientists.

He lacked sufficient scientific evidence to support his claims.

He was concerned about the potential backlash from the scientific community.

He was worried about the impact of his theory on his religious wife, Emma. (correct)

What is the primary concept that evolutionary psychology uses to complete Darwin's revolution?

The notion that humans are exempt from the evolutionary process.

The importance of environmental influence on human development.

The study of human behavior through cultural lenses.

The understanding of genes as the physical basis of inheritance. (correct)

According to Mendel's work, how are traits passed from parents to offspring?

Traits are altered based on the offspring's environment.

Traits are blended, creating a mixture of parental characteristics.

Traits are passed in discrete units called genes, remaining unmixed. (correct)

Traits are acquired through the experience of the parents and passed down.

What is the crucial insight provided by Mendel regarding the nature of inheritance?

Inheritance is particulate, with traits passed on in discrete units. Signup and view all the answers

According to the information provided, what is a key finding regarding gender differences in reactions to infidelity?

Heterosexual individuals show strong gender differences in upset over sexual versus emotional infidelity, but this is not found among those with other sexual orientations. Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes a genotype, according to the text provided?

The entire collection of genes within an individual Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the transmission of genotypes from parents to offspring?

Offspring inherit a random half of their genes from each parent's genotype. Signup and view all the answers

What does the content suggest is a potential consequence of men's status on reproductive outcomes?

Increased men's status affects reproductive outcomes, as per a study of 33 non-industrial populations. Signup and view all the answers

What motivated the author's initial interest in evolution?

An undergraduate geology class where theories were used to explain the origins of things. Signup and view all the answers

How do the genes inherited by offspring relate to the genes possessed by their parents according to the information provided?

Offspring inherit a random half of their parents' genes, which are passed on without modification. Signup and view all the answers

What concept is strongly linked to social reputation?

The idea that 'death before dishonor' highlights its tremendous importance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the scientific community consensus regarding Darwin's theory of evolution?

It is the unifying, nearly universally accepted theory within biological sciences, with some important modifications. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these topics is specifically mentioned as being newly researched in the context of status and reputation?

The emotions of pride and shame related to status and reputation. Signup and view all the answers

What did the author's initial term paper speculate about?

The link between high status and increased sexual opportunities for men. Signup and view all the answers

Where did the author find what they described as the 'most fertile evolutionary soil'?

At Harvard University, where they began as an Assistant Professor of Psychology. Signup and view all the answers

What is presented as a central quest in the study of evolutionary psychology, according to the text?

Understanding the human mind and answering fundamental questions about human existence. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of Tinbergen's 'four whys' of behavior?

The genetic influences on behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'fixed action pattern' in ethology?

A rigid behavioral sequence triggered by a specific stimulus Signup and view all the answers

How did ethology influence the study of animal behavior?

It oriented biologists to focus on the importance of adaptation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main implication of Lorenz's quote regarding cognitive and perceptual categories?

Cognitive and perceptual categories are innate and adapted to the environment through evolution. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes how ethology contributed to psychology?

It forced psychologists to consider the role of biology in understanding human behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What concept did ethologists use to divide continuous behavior into distinct units?

Fixed Action Patterns Signup and view all the answers

What example does the text use to illustrate the idea of 'fixed action patterns'?

Male ducks exhibiting a rigid courting ritual when shown a model of a female duck Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with developing the 'four whys' of behavior in ethology?

Nikolaas Tinbergen Signup and view all the answers

Around when is the earliest clear evidence of controlled fire in Europe?

600,000 years ago Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant technological advancement that appeared 1.5 million years ago?

Acheulean hand axe Signup and view all the answers

The most rapid expansion of brain size within the Homo lineage occurred during which period?

500,000 to 100,000 years ago Signup and view all the answers

What was the approximate brain size of Neanderthals?

1450 cubic centimeters Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a possible factor contributing to the rapid expansion of the human brain?

Advanced agriculture Signup and view all the answers

What physical characteristics did Neanderthals possess that made them well-suited for cold climates?

Short limbed and stocky bodies with a thick skeletal structure Signup and view all the answers

What evidence suggests that Neanderthals used their teeth as tools?

Marks of heavy wear and tear on their teeth Signup and view all the answers

Around when did the Neanderthals suddenly go extinct?

30,000 years ago Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of calluses?

A specific interaction between repeated friction and a skin adaptation which grows more skin cells. Signup and view all the answers

What does the example of creating friction-free environments demonstrate in relation to calluses?

It demonstrates that the environment can be changed to prevent certain physiological responses. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'genetic determinism', as the term is used within this text?

The idea that genes alone cause behaviours with no external influence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the evolutionary purpose of adaptations?

To enable organisms to solve problems presented by the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What does the research on men’s interpretation of women’s smiles suggest?

That men might over infer sexual interest due to an evolved psychological adaptation. Signup and view all the answers

How does the text suggest that knowledge of our evolved psychology can help us change behaviours?

By understanding the stimuli that activate specific behaviors, allowing for adjustments. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point the author is trying to make by using the example of calluses?

To demonstrate how a behavior can be altered or prevented by changing the environment. Signup and view all the answers

From the text, what conclusion can be made about the idea that evolutionary theory implies that behaviors cannot be changed?

That this idea fails, given examples that show people can change behaviors and environments. Signup and view all the answers

What was the approximate brain volume of anatomically modern Homo sapiens?

1350 cubic centimeters Signup and view all the answers

According to the multiregional continuity theory (MRC), where did the emergence of modern humans occur?

Simultaneously in various regions where humans lived Signup and view all the answers

What was a key factor in the multiregional evolution of different groups into modern humans, according to the MRC theory?

Gene flow through interbreeding Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinguishing feature of human fossils found from 30,000 years ago to the present?

A distinct skull shape, large brain, a chin and a lightly built skeleton Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following hominid groups was NOT present according to the text 100,000 years ago?

Homo habilis Signup and view all the answers

What event coincided with the disappearance of earlier hominid groups?

The sudden arrival of Homo sapiens sapiens. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these individuals was influenced by Darwin's theory of evolution?

Sigmund Freud Signup and view all the answers

What paradigm dominated psychology after the 1920's before making a turn back towards evolutionary theory?

Radical behaviorism Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gender Differences in Infidelity

Study of 63,000 people reveals heterosexuals experience different levels of upset over sexual vs. emotional infidelity.
This difference is not seen in people with other sexual orientations.

Mozambique Study

Recent research on sexual jealousy focuses on women in Mozambique.
The study explores tactics women use to resist male mate guarding efforts.

Study of 33 non-industrial societies reveals significant impact of male status on reproductive outcomes.
Focus on the effect of a man's status on several key factors related to reproduction.

Pride, Shame, and Physical Formidability

New research explores emotions of pride and shame related to status and reputation.
The role of physical strength in modern status hierarchies is also being investigated.

Evolutionary Psychology of Religion

Expanded coverage of the evolutionary psychology of religion, encompassing the role of "Big Gods" in large-scale cooperation.

Acknowledgment and Inspirations

Acknowledgements include individuals who have helped shape the book.
The author's personal interest in evolution began in undergraduate geology.
Early explorations involved term papers speculating about status and sexual opportunities.
Passion for evolution and human behavior intensified during graduate studies at UC Berkeley and later Harvard University, which offered a faculty position.
Author's interest in evolution relates to personal development over 25 years.

Controversy on Applying Evolutionary Theory to Humans

Darwin's hesitation to publish his theory was influenced by concerns about upsetting his religious wife.
The application of evolutionary theory to humans continues to be a source of debate.
Despite some resistance, evolutionary theory is a unifying theory within biological sciences.
Application to human behavior is crucial to complete Darwin's revolution.
Evolutionary psychology utilizes advancements since Darwin's time, particularly regarding the gene as a physical basis of inheritance.

Modern Synthesis: Genes and Particulate Inheritance

Darwin didn't know the mechanism of inheritance.
Gregor Mendel demonstrated particulate inheritance (genes are distinct).
Qualities of parents are passed to offspring in distinct packets (genes), not blended.
Genes are inherited intact, not acquired through experience.
Mendel's findings were largely unknown for 30 years after publication.

Genes vs. Genotypes

A gene is the smallest inheritable unit.
A genotype is the collection of all genes in an individual.
Genotypes are not passed intact to offspring (random halves from each parent).
Offspring inherit a random half of genes from each parent.
The inherited genes are identical to half of those possessed by each parent.

Ethology's Four Whys

Ethology emphasizes four key aspects of behavior:
- Immediate influences (e.g., mother's actions)
- Developmental influences (e.g., life events)
- Adaptive function (e.g., survival benefits)
- Evolutionary origins (e.g., imprinting mechanism)
Ethologists studied innate animal behaviors, focusing on fixed action patterns triggered by specific stimuli.

Evolutionary Psychology and Ethology

Ethology contributed to understanding adaptations by highlighting adaptations as central to biological function.
Early writings from ethologists, such as Konrad Lorenz, foreshadowed evolutionary psychology by emphasizing the adaptive nature of human cognitive and perceptual capacities.
Ethology influenced reconsidering the role of biology in human behavior study.
This foundation enabled the revolution in evolutionary approaches to human behavior.

Inclusive Fitness Revolution

Evolutionary reasoning does not imply genetic determinism - environment and experience matter to traits.
An adaptation is a tool shaped by an organism’s interaction with the environment.
Calluses are not solely genetically determined - they are caused by environmental interaction with underlying mechanisms.

Behavior Change and Evolutionary Theory

Evolutionary theory does not suggest behavior immutability.
By understanding the mechanisms and input triggers, behavior alteration is achievable.
Example: Research shows men infer sexual intent more readily than women.
Understanding this mechanism provides a potential tool for behavior change.

Human Evolution Milestones

Earliest controlled fire evidence dates back 1.6 million years in Africa.
Acheulean hand axe (1.5 million years ago) exhibited improved precision and symmetry.
Brain expansion began around 1.2 million years ago, accelerating in the last half million years.
Neanderthals (200,000 years ago) were physically adapted for cold climates and hunting. Advanced tools, skilled hunters.
Neanderthals' disappearance coincided with the arrival of modern humans (Homo sapiens sapiens).

Out-of-Africa vs. Multiregional Origins

Two competing theories about modern human origins:
- Out-of-Africa (OOA): Modern humans originated in Africa and subsequently replaced other hominid populations.
- Multiregional Continuity (MRC): Modern humans evolved from earlier populations in different parts of the world, via gene flow.
By 30,000 years ago, modern anatomical features (like large brains) were shared across all humans.

Landmarks in Psychology

Sigmund Freud and William James were influenced by Darwinian theory.
Psychology later embraced behaviorism, then returned to incorporating evolution.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts of Darwin's theory of evolution, Mendelian genetics, and insights from evolutionary psychology. This quiz covers the historical context, inheritance patterns, and implications for understanding human behavior in relation to reproductive success.