PSYC20008 Evolutionary Social Psychology Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What can be inferred about the nature of questions posed by a metaphysician compared to the common man?

  • The common man has a more philosophical approach to everyday life.
  • The common man often questions the same concepts in depth.
  • Metaphysicians ask unique questions that require deeper reflection. (correct)
  • The metaphysician's questions are often trivial.

Which of the following best describes evolved psychological adaptations?

  • Mechanisms formed by natural selection over extended periods. (correct)
  • Psychological traits that change rapidly with societal norms.
  • Emotional responses that are unique to individuals without evolutionary influence.
  • Environmental factors solely responsible for behavioral traits.

How does heredity relate to evolutionary psychology according to the content?

  • All psychological traits are inherited without exception.
  • Heredity does not play a significant role in psychological adaptations.
  • Environmental input can influence the expression of hereditary traits. (correct)
  • Heredity is strictly about genetics with no role of environment.

What distinction does the content make between heritability and behavioral genetics?

<p>Heritability is the genetic basis for behavior variance, while behavioral genetics studies those variations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which emotion is specifically mentioned as an evolved psychological adaptation?

<p>Disgust (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What perspective did psychologists begin to take seriously in the 1970-80s regarding human behaviour?

<p>Human behaviour comprises evolved adaptations (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is referred to as evolutionary social psychology?

<p>The application of evolutionary theory to social psychological topics (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a common explanation for human behaviour in the 20th century?

<p>Evolutionary theory (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'domain-specific mechanisms' refer to in evolutionary psychology?

<p>Adaptations shaped by natural selection to solve specific problems (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the problems associated with sociality as noted in the context of evolutionary psychology?

<p>Exploitation and threat to safety (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might the mind function according to some assumptions in evolutionary psychology?

<p>As a collection of functionally specialised mechanisms (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a concern regarding the implications of evolutionary psychology?

<p>It suggests no human behaviours can be controlled (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What evolutionary question is raised regarding 'pregnancy sickness'?

<p>Why does pregnancy sickness exist from an evolutionary standpoint? (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can result from species being maladapted to rapidly changing environments?

<p>Extinction (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following traits is considered a psychological adaptation from ancestral environments?

<p>Fears of snakes and spiders (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why humans may have a preference for sweet, salty, and fatty foods?

<p>They provide quick energy and were adaptive in the past (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the evolutionary perspective, what does natural selection prioritize?

<p>Reproductive success (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to our perceptions and judgments due to evolutionary adaptations?

<p>They can be incomplete and often inaccurate (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the human mind approach reality from an evolutionary standpoint?

<p>By optimizing for fitness rather than accuracy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When making quick judgments based on incomplete information, what common scenario may arise?

<p>Misidentification of threats, such as confusing a snake with a branch (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement summarizes the implications of evolutionary reasoning on social perception?

<p>It shapes how we perceive others based on adaptive behaviors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of proximate explanations in the context of pregnancy sickness?

<p>Mechanisms that lead to heightened sensitivity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What possible function of pregnancy sickness was proposed by Profet?

<p>To protect the embryo from toxins (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which stage of pregnancy is sickness strongest according to the content?

<p>The early part of pregnancy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of pregnancy sickness is highlighted by ultimate explanations?

<p>Evolutionary origins and survival advantage (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which types of foods do pregnant individuals with sickness tend to avoid?

<p>Foods high in toxins or pathogens (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon does heightened sensitivity to odours during pregnancy primarily serve?

<p>To prevent damage to embryos (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which response exemplifies a common misconception regarding psychological responses?

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What is a false positive in the context of the immune system?

<p>Incorrectly identifying a harmless substance as a pathogen (B), Avoiding a diseased person when they are actually healthy (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are false negatives considered more costly than false positives?

<p>They can result in exposure to harmful diseases (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does error management theory (EMT) suggest about perceptual and cognitive systems?

<p>They are biased toward minimizing the more costly type of error (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of disease inference, what would a true negative represent?

<p>Correctly not responding to a non-threatening cue (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes how natural selection has shaped the immune response?

<p>It has favored systems that minimize false negatives, even if it increases false positives (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What might be interpreted as a psychological allergy in modern contexts?

<p>Responding to a harmless feature as if it were a disease cue (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might ambiguous information influence the evolution of cognitive systems?

<p>It results in frequent errors due to perception biases (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an implication of the high total positive (TP) rate in immune responses?

<p>It could be associated with many false positives (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a false positive represent in the context of sexual interest inference?

<p>Inferring attraction and making an unwanted advance (A), Making a move when there is no attraction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of error management theory, what is considered more costly, a false negative or a false positive?

<p>False negative is more costly (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When interpreting social categories, which error leads to assuming harmless groups are dangerous?

<p>False positive (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of a false negative when reacting to venomous animals?

<p>Failing to react when danger is present (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'true negative' signify in decision-making scenarios?

<p>Not reacting to a harmless stimulus (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main bias regarding reacting to animals like snakes and spiders?

<p>Bias toward overreacting to non-dangerous animals (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In inferring agency, what does a false positive indicate?

<p>Inferring agency when none exists (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic defines true positives in the context of perceiving sexual interest?

<p>Correctly identifying mutual attraction (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What common characteristic of foods do those experiencing pregnancy sickness tend to avoid?

<p>Foods that contain high levels of toxins and pathogens (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the ultimate explanation of pregnancy sickness suggest?

<p>It serves to protect the embryo from harmful substances. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which stage of pregnancy is sickness considered to be the strongest?

<p>The early stage of pregnancy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Profet's argument, how does pregnancy sickness influence miscarriage rates?

<p>It helps to reduce the likelihood of higher toxin intake. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What question does William James suggest is often not considered when making food choices?

<p>The utility or functional aspect of the food being consumed. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does heightened sensitivity to certain odors during pregnancy serve an evolutionary purpose?

<p>It reduces the intake of potential toxins harmful to the embryo. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of pregnancy sickness highlights the importance of considering evolutionary origins in explanations?

<p>It links the sick response with improved chances of offspring survival. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Evolutionary Psychology

The study of how human behavior and psychological processes evolved as adaptations to solve problems.

Evolutionary Social Psychology

Evolutionary psychology applied to social interactions and group behavior.

Evolved Adaptations

Mental mechanisms that evolved to solve recurring problems.

Domain-Specific Mechanisms

Specialized mental processes designed for specific tasks.

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Natural Selection

Process where organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

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Group Living

The social structure that humans evolved within.

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Pregnancy Sickness

A condition experienced by some pregnant women, explained by an evolutionary approach.

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Adaptive Behavior

Actions that increase the chances of survival and reproduction.

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Proximate Explanation

Describes the immediate cause of a behavior or phenomenon.

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Ultimate Explanation

Explains the evolutionary reason behind a behavior or phenomenon.

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Heredity

The passing of traits genetically from parents to offspring.

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Heritability

The proportion of variation in a trait that can be explained by genetic differences.

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Evolutionary Adaptation

A trait that evolved to help organisms survive and reproduce in their environment.

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Proximate Explanation of Pregnancy Sickness

Explains pregnancy sickness by focusing on immediate causes like hormonal changes, heightened senses, and physiological mechanisms.

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Ultimate Explanation of Pregnancy Sickness

Explains pregnancy sickness by focusing on its evolutionary function and how it benefits the survival and reproduction of offspring.

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Pregnancy Sickness Function

Pregnancy sickness, according to Profet, helps protect embryos by deterring pregnant individuals from eating foods containing toxins or pathogens that may harm the developing fetus.

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Disgust Response

The feeling of aversion towards potentially harmful substances like faeces, rotting meat, or open wounds. It's a biological reaction.

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William James

A pioneer in psychology who recognized the need for deeper explanations of behavior, such as probing beyond the initial apparent reason.

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Adaptive Significance

The evolutionary benefit that a behavior has in terms of survival and reproduction. Example: preventing ingestion of toxins.

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Maladaptation

When an adaptation that was beneficial in the past becomes harmful in a changed environment.

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Ancestral Environment

The environment in which our ancestors lived, typically characterized by limited resources, dangers, and reliance on social groups.

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Sweet, Salty, Fatty Cravings

Our preference for these flavors is an evolved adaptation from times when these nutrients were scarce.

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Ancestral Fears

Our innate fear of things like snakes, spiders, and heights are remnants of our past when these posed real threats to survival.

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Ingroup/Outgroup Bias

We naturally favor those in our group (ingroup) and discriminate against those outside (outgroup), a product of our evolutionary past.

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Our 'Reality' is a Construction

The world we perceive is shaped by our evolved minds, which prioritize survival and adaptiveness over objective truth.

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Evolutionary Psychology - Social Perception

Study of how our evolved minds shape how we perceive and understand the social world, often relying on quick judgements based on incomplete information.

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Adaptive Behavior vs. Truth Seeking

Evolution favors behavior that promotes survival and reproduction, even if it means perceptions or judgements are not completely accurate.

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False Positive (FP)

A response to a harmless stimulus as if it were a threat. For example, having an allergic reaction to pollen.

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False Negative (FN)

Failing to respond to a real threat. For example, not getting vaccinated against a disease.

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Costly Error

An error in judgment that leads to a significant negative outcome.

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Error Management Theory (EMT)

The idea that cognitive systems are biased towards reducing the cost of one type of error over another.

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Psychological Allergy

An exaggerated response to a harmless stimulus, similar to a physical allergy.

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Appearance-Based Stigma

Discrimination or prejudice based on someone's physical appearance.

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Bias in Cognitive Systems

The tendency for cognitive systems to favor one type of judgment or inference over another.

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Error Management Theory

A theory explaining why we might make more errors in one direction than another, even if it means missing opportunities, because the cost of those errors is lower.

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Type I Error

A false positive, where we incorrectly assume something is true when it's not.

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Type II Error

A false negative, where we incorrectly assume something is false when it's actually true.

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Male Sexual Overperception Bias

The tendency for men to overestimate women's sexual interest in them.

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Fear of Venomous Animals

A bias towards reacting fearfully to anything that resembles a venomous animal, even if it's harmless.

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Outgroup Perception

A bias towards perceiving certain social categories as 'outgroups' and being wary of them, even if they pose no real threat.

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Inferring Agency

A bias towards assuming that someone or something deliberately caused an event, even if it was a natural or random occurrence.

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Study Notes

Course Information

  • Course name: PSYC20008 Individual and Social Cognition
  • Lecturer: Justin Park
  • Lecture 1: Evolutionary Social Psychology
  • Weekly lecture time: Mondays 11:00-13:00
  • Office hours: Mondays 14:00-15:00 (in person 3D18 and on Zoom)
  • Essential and recommended readings associated with each lecture
  • Access details on Blackboard
  • Questions can be posted on Blackboard Forum

Evolutionary Social Psychology Topics

  • Evolutionary Social Psychology
  • Perception of Kin
  • Perception of Other People
  • Stereotyping and Being Stereotyped

Overview of Topics

  • How humans perceive, make sense of, and respond to other people
  • Basic perceptual, cognitive, and emotional processes involved
  • Understanding humans as social animals
  • Considering human traits and behaviour through evolution

Darwin's Theory of Evolution

  • Explains the emergence of new traits and species
  • Organisms vary in traits (anatomy, physiology)
  • Variation is inherited via genes
  • Traits conducive to survival and reproduction become more prevalent over generations

Evolution of Adaptive Traits

  • Natural selection produces traits promoting survival and reproduction (adaptations)
  • Adaptations include physical and behavioral characteristics
  • Biological characteristics appear "designed" (e.g., animal behavior)
  • Also includes learning and environmental effects influencing evolutionary outcomes

Behavioural Adaptations

  • Fixed action patterns—behavioral sequences (e.g., egg retrieval)

Behavioural Adaptations in Humans

  • Are there behavioral adaptations in humans?
  • What is the nature of the psychological processes underlying these adaptations?

Challenges to Evolutionary Psychology

  • Common 20th-century explanations for human behavior focused on learning, culture, and rationality
  • These explanations are valid, but they have gaps when considering animal behaviors
  • Where do the capacities for learning, culture, and rationality originate?

Evolutionary Psychology

  • In the 1970s and 80s, psychologists started considering human behaviors as evolved adaptations
  • Applied to social psychology, it's called evolutionary social psychology.
  • Example applications include attachment, mindreading, mate preferences, and group relations

Humans as Social Animals

  • Humans evolved in the context of group living
  • Sociality brought benefits and problems. (exploitation, threat to safety, disease transmission)
  • Specific psychological adaptations maximize benefits and minimize costs

Implications of Evolutionary Psychology

  • The "mind" is a collection of functionally specialized mechanisms (domain-specific)
  • Mechanisms shaped through natural selection to address recurrent problems.
  • Mechanisms take inputs (e.g., perception of danger), produce appropriate outputs (e.g., fear response)
  • For example, perception of egg-like objects may trigger protective behavior; predator perception leads to escape.

Debates and Controversies Surrounding Evolutionary Psychology

  • Can mental capacities be understood as evolved adaptations?
  • What is the role of the environment in shaping adaptations?
  • Does this approach imply we have no control over behavior?

Proximate and Ultimate Explanations

  • Proximate explanations focus on mechanisms (e.g., hormones and environmental signals)
  • Ultimate explanations focus on function and evolutionary origins
  • Example: pregnancy sickness—both physiological and environmental factors (proximate) and protective function for the embryo (ultimate)

The Social Animal

  • People feel disgust towards things like feces, rotting meat, and open wounds,
  • These are likely evolved to identify potentially harmful substances/events.

Important Mid-Level Theories

  • Kin selection: altruistic behavior towards close relatives
  • Reciprocal altruism: altruism among non-relatives based on reciprocity and punishment of cheaters
  • Parental investment: choosy mate selection driven by investment in reproduction
  • Inbreeding avoidance: minimizing costs of inbreeding by avoiding it

Maladaptive Outcomes

  • While adaptations were beneficial in past environments, they might not be in present ones.
  • Ancestral fears (fear toward snakes, spiders), desire toward sweet, salty, fatty foods.
  • Still drawing lines between ingroups and outgroups

Error Management Theory

  • Inferences based on ambiguous information are prone to systematic errors.
  • If one error type is more costly than the other, natural selection favors biases toward the less costly error type.

Examples of Error Management Theory

  • Reacting fearfully to venomous animals, assuming people with a birthmark are diseased, and believing that one is more talented than one truly is.

Functional Biases

  • The biases in perception and cognition are not necessarily harmful but evolved for their benefits
  • These biases help individuals survive, reproduce, and thrive in their respective environments.

Additional Content

  • Course materials likely contain further details on specific topics, dates, examples, and related research.

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