Week 4 - Evolutionary Psychology Flashcards
Which of the following best explains the principle of natural selection as proposed by Charles Darwin in The Origin of Species?
A) Organisms inherit traits randomly, and survival is mostly due to luck
B) Traits that are learned during an organism’s lifetime are passed on to the next generation
C) Organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on advantageous traits to future generations
D) All traits are fixed and unchangeable from birth, regardless of environment
C) Organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on advantageous traits to future generations
According to Darwin’s theory of natural selection, what are the two key criteria that determine whether a trait is passed on to future generations?
A) Intelligence and strength
B) Cooperation and kindness
C) Survival and reproduction – organisms must live long enough and reproduce successfully to pass on their genes
D) Creativity and communication skills
C) Survival and reproduction – organisms must live long enough and reproduce successfully to pass on their genes
Which of the following best explains the role of “staying alive” in the process of natural selection?
A) It means living a long life regardless of reproduction
B) It means outliving predators in order to become dominant in the species
C) It means surviving long enough to reproduce and pass on your genes, often in competition with members of the same species
D) It means being stronger than animals from other species
C) It means surviving long enough to reproduce and pass on your genes, often in competition with members of the same species
Which of the following best describes how reproduction contributes to the spread of advantageous traits in a species?
A) All offspring survive and inherit exactly the same traits from their parents
B) Organisms reproduce randomly, and evolution is based on chance rather than survival
C) More offspring are produced than can survive; those with traits that increase survival are more likely to reproduce, passing on those traits to the next generation, gradually shaping the species
D) Only the oldest organisms reproduce, ensuring stronger genes
C) More offspring are produced than can survive; those with traits that increase survival are more likely to reproduce, passing on those traits to the next generation, gradually shaping the species
Which of the following best reflects Darwin’s explanation of sex differences in reproductive behavior based on natural selection?
A) Men and women evolved the same mating strategies because they have equal reproductive capacities
B) Women evolved to prefer short-term mating due to higher reproductive potential
C) Men and women developed different reproductive strategies: women favor commitment due to limited reproductive capacity, while men favor multiple partners to increase reproductive success
D) Women are biologically driven to avoid reproduction in risky environments
C) Men and women developed different reproductive strategies: women favor commitment due to limited reproductive capacity, while men favor multiple partners to increase reproductive success
What is the main focus of sexual selection in evolution?
A) Finding food
B) Competing for mates and being chosen as a mate
C) Avoiding predators
D) Surviving in harsh environments
B) Competing for mates and being chosen as a mate
Intersexual competition involves…
A) Fighting over territory
B) One sex choosing a mate from the other
C) Competing with predators
D) Defending offspring
B) One sex choosing a mate from the other
Intersexual competition happens when, for example, females select mates based on traits like beauty or behavior.
Intrasexual competition is…
A) Competing with other species
B) Competing with the same sex for access to mates
C) Avoiding environmental threats
D) Sharing food within a group
B) Competing with the same sex for access to mates
Intrasexual competition often involves direct or indirect rivalry (e.g., status, strength) between members of the same sex.
Which of the following best defines an adaptation in evolutionary psychology?
A) A learned behavior in response to modern society
B) A reliably developing trait that evolved to solve a survival or reproductive problem
C) A random trait passed on by chance
D) A temporary change in behavior due to mood
B) A reliably developing trait that evolved to solve a survival or reproductive problem
An adaptation is a trait that consistently develops because it solves an evolutionary problem, such as finding food or attracting mates.
What is an adaptive problem in evolutionary terms?
A) Any physical illness
B) A temporary obstacle in decision-making
C) Anything that threatens survival or reproduction
D) A personality flaw
C) Anything that threatens survival or reproduction
Adaptive problems are challenges like avoiding predators, finding food, or selecting a mate—anything that affects an organism’s chances to survive and reproduce.
What is a byproduct of an adaptation?
A) A failed evolutionary trait
B) A mutation that spreads rapidly
C) A side effect of an adaptation that doesn’t solve an adaptive problem
D) A core feature of every successful trait
C) A side effect of an adaptation that doesn’t solve an adaptive problem
Byproducts are incidental outcomes of adaptations—like bellybuttons, which result from the umbilical cord but serve no adaptive function themselves.
Which of the following best defines an exaptation?
A) A trait that failed to serve any purpose in evolution
B) A neutral mutation that eventually disappeared
C) A trait that originally evolved for one function but was later co-opted for a new use
D) A learned behavior acquired in early life
C) A trait that originally evolved for one function but was later co-opted for a new use
(e.g. the human brain evolved for general cognition, but its capacity was later co-opted for language—a classic case of exaptation)
Which of the following best describes a spandrel in evolutionary terms?
A) A trait that was directly selected for its survival advantage
B) A mutation that spread through the population by chance
C) A by-product of an adaptation that was not itself selected for, but became functional
D) A trait that evolves only in response to environmental learning
C) A by-product of an adaptation that was not itself selected for, but became functional
Which of the following is an example of a spandrel?
A) The human heart’s ability to pump blood
B) Reading and writing, as side effects of brain adaptations
C) The opposable thumb used for tool-making
D) Developing fear of predators
B) Reading and writing, as side effects of brain adaptations
Which of the following best describes noise or random variation?
A) A trait that improves survival and is favored by selection
B) A harmful mutation that must be eliminated
C) A neutral trait that has no effect on survival or reproduction and is not selected for or against
D) A trait passed down only through learning
C) A neutral trait that has no effect on survival or reproduction and is not selected for or against
Which of the following best defines epigenetics?
A) A study of inherited changes caused by mutations in the DNA sequence
B) A branch of psychology focused on evolutionary personality traits
C) The study of changes in gene expression caused by environmental or developmental factors, without altering the DNA sequence itself
D) A theory explaining genetic differences between species
C) The study of changes in gene expression caused by environmental or developmental factors, without altering the DNA sequence itself
(how genes can be switched on or off or expressed differently due to factors like stress, diet, toxins, or experiences—without changing the actual DNA code. It explains how the same genetic code can lead to different outcomes depending on life context)
Which statement best reflects the difference between adaptive and desirable traits?
A) Adaptive traits are always socially desirable
B) Desirable traits always increase survival
C) Adaptive traits increase survival or reproduction, but may not be socially or morally desirable
D) Desirable traits are based only on genetics
C) Adaptive traits increase survival or reproduction, but may not be socially or morally desirable
Adaptive traits solve evolutionary problems, but they aren’t always socially approved (e.g., jealousy may help mate guarding, but isn’t seen as “nice”).
What does domain-specificity refer to in evolutionary psychology?
A) The brain responds equally to all types of problems
B) Adaptations evolved to solve general, flexible problems
C) Psychological mechanisms evolved to solve specific problems in specific contexts
D) Learning is random and based on trial and error
C) Psychological mechanisms evolved to solve specific problems in specific contexts
Domain-specificity means the mind is made of specialized tools for solving different problems (e.g., recognizing faces vs. avoiding toxins).
What does numerousness suggest about the structure of the human mind?
A) Humans rely on a single, general-purpose brain system
B) Evolution selected for one central decision-making mechanism
C) The mind consists of many different psychological adaptations for solving many kinds of problems
D) Most brain functions are unnecessary for survival
C) The mind consists of many different psychological adaptations for solving many kinds of problems
Numerousness refers to the idea that we evolved many mental modules, each shaped to handle different survival and reproductive challenges.
In evolutionary psychology, what does functionality refer to?
A) Traits must look complex to be functional
B) Every part of the brain has the same function
C) Psychological traits exist because they served a purpose in solving adaptive problems
D) Functionality means traits are purely cultural
C) Psychological traits exist because they served a purpose in solving adaptive problems
Functionality means that traits—mental or physical—exist for a reason: they were selected because they helped our ancestors survive or reproduce.
Which of the following best describes human nature according to evolutionary psychology?
A) Human nature is entirely shaped by culture and tradition
B) Human nature results from chance genetic mutations
C) Human nature consists of psychological mechanisms that evolved because they helped humans survive and reproduce
D) Human nature is fixed at birth and unrelated to environmental influences
C) Human nature consists of psychological mechanisms that evolved because they helped humans survive and reproduce
Why do evolutionary psychologists believe humans have a need to belong?
A) It increases cultural development
B) It helps people learn languages faster
C) Belonging to a group helped ancestors survive, access resources, and reproduce
D) Belonging is a recent social invention
C) Belonging to a group helped ancestors survive, access resources, and reproduce
From an evolutionary perspective, group membership was essential for safety, food, and mating opportunities—so the need to belong became a selected trait.
How do successful psychological mechanisms spread in a population?
A) Through cultural practices alone
B) Through mutation and random chance
C) By being passed on genetically when they increase reproductive success
D) Only when humans choose to teach them
C) By being passed on genetically when they increase reproductive success
Mechanisms that help individuals survive and reproduce are more likely to be inherited by future generations, making them common in the population.
Which of the following lists includes only emotions that are considered universal across human cultures, according to evolutionary psychology?
A) Pride, guilt, embarrassment, surprise, envy, joy
B) Love, jealousy, anger, boredom, happiness, shame
C) Happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, surprise
D) Excitement, nervousness, contempt, sadness, interest, joy
C) Happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, surprise
(recognized across all human cultures, have distinct facial expressions, and are thought to have evolved to help humans respond to common survival and social challenges)
Why are emotions like fear, anger, and happiness considered universal according to evolutionary theory?
A) Because they are taught through cultural traditions
B) Because they evolved to help humans respond to survival and social challenges
C) Because people copy emotional behavior from role models
D) Because modern society requires emotional intelligence
B) Because they evolved to help humans respond to survival and social challenges
Why are negative emotions more common in language and easier to recall, according to evolutionary psychology?
A) Because people naturally prefer to focus on bad memories
B) Because negative emotions are taught more often in school
C) Because describing negative emotions may have helped our ancestors survive by detecting threats or dangers
D) Because positive emotions are less interesting to talk about
C) Because describing negative emotions may have helped our ancestors survive by detecting threats or dangers
According to evolutionary psychology, why are humans more likely to develop fears of things like snakes or spiders rather than flowers or fish?
A) Because these animals are more common in urban environments
B) Because these fears are taught through culture and media
C) Because ancestral humans who quickly recognized dangerous animals were more likely to survive and pass on their genes
D) Because the brain is naturally drawn to animals with many legs
C) Because ancestral humans who quickly recognized dangerous animals were more likely to survive and pass on their genes
Fears of snakes, spiders, and heights are considered evolved psychological mechanisms. Even infants as young as 6 months show heightened responses (like pupil dilation, indicating arousal), suggesting these fears are biologically prepared and served to enhance survival.
What does the preparedness hypothesis suggest?
A) All fears are learned
B) Fears come from stress
C) Humans evolved to easily fear ancestral threats
D) Fear responses are random
C) Humans evolved to easily fear ancestral threats
Fearing things like snakes or heights helped survival, so those who had these fears were more likely to pass on their genes.
Why did fear traits spread in early human populations?
A) They made people more social
B) They led to more aggression
C) They helped people survive and reproduce
D) They reduced curiosity
C) They helped people survive and reproduce
When are males and females expected to show similar behavior?
A) When they faced different evolutionary challenges
B) In domains unrelated to reproduction
C) When they faced the same adaptive problems
D) In modern social settings
C) When they faced the same adaptive problems
For example, eating is a shared survival need, so no major sex differences are expected.
When are sex differences most likely to appear?
A) In situations involving equal resource access
B) When males and females had different ancestral pressures
C) In all behaviors, regardless of context
D) Only in childhood
B) When males and females had different ancestral pressures
For example, differences in aggression, jealousy, or mate preferences evolved due to sex-specific challenges.
Which domain is an example of an evolved sex difference?
A) Vision
B) Aggression
C) Hunger
D) Memory recall
B) Aggression
Males often faced more competition for mates, leading to evolved differences in aggressive behavior.
What does the Good Genes Hypothesis suggest about physical attractiveness?
A) Attractiveness is based only on cultural trends
B) Asymmetry signals strong immune function
C) Symmetry signals genetic health and is seen as more attractive
D) People prefer unique features over balanced ones
C) Symmetry signals genetic health and is seen as more attractive
According to the Good Genes Hypothesis, facial and bodily symmetry is a cue for underlying genetic fitness, making it evolutionarily attractive.
What did Gangestad’s (1998) research suggest about women’s mate preferences?
A) Women prefer symmetrical men all the time
B) Women prefer the scent of symmetrical men more during their fertile phase
C) Women rely only on visual cues for mate selection
D) Female preferences do not change across the menstrual cycle
B) Women prefer the scent of symmetrical men more during their fertile phase
According to Gangestad (1998), women show increased preference for masculine features and the scent of symmetrical men when most fertile, supporting the Good Genes Hypothesis.
What is an example of environmental triggers of individual differences?
A) Some traits randomly appear in evolution
B) Everyone develops the same mating strategy
C) Traits are shaped by environmental experiences, like father absence influencing mating strategy
D) Genes always override environment
C) Traits are shaped by environmental experiences, like father absence influencing mating strategy
Environmental triggers like father absence can lead to different developmental outcomes, such as a short-term mating strategy.
What does it mean when individual differences are contingent on other heritable traits?
A) Personality traits don’t relate to physical traits
B) All individuals use the same strategy regardless of traits
C) Traits like size or strength influence strategy, e.g., large individuals may pursue more aggressive strategies
D) Only environment affects individual differences
C) Traits like size or strength influence strategy, e.g., large individuals may pursue more aggressive strategies
Heritable traits, such as body size or strength, can shape which behavioral strategy is most effective.
What is frequency-dependent selection in individual differences?
A) Rare traits are always eliminated
B) Everyone benefits from the same strategy
C) Multiple strategies (e.g., short- and long-term mating) are maintained because each has equal benefits at different frequencies
D) All traits evolve independently
C) Multiple strategies (e.g., short- and long-term mating) are maintained because each has equal benefits at different frequencies
In frequency-dependent selection, strategies remain in a population because their reproductive success depends on how common or rare they are.
What are the three levels of personality analysis in evolutionary psychology?
A) Traits, moods, and attitudes
B) Human nature, emotions, and learning
C) Human nature, sex differences, and individual differences
D) Genetics, environment, and culture
C) Human nature, sex differences, and individual differences
What is the goal of an energy allocation strategy in evolutionary terms?
A) To use as little energy as possible in all activities
B) To avoid reproduction and conserve energy
C) To allocate energy in a way that maximizes survival and reproductive success
D) To increase social bonding through energy sharing
C) To allocate energy in a way that maximizes survival and reproductive success
What is the fitness-maximizing strategy in evolutionary psychology?
A) The strategy that uses the least amount of energy overall
B) The strategy that focuses only on survival, not reproduction
C) The strategy that results in the greatest number of surviving offspring over time
D) The strategy that avoids risk and conserves energy at all costs
C) The strategy that results in the greatest number of surviving offspring over time
Fitness maximization is about efficiently allocating energy between survival and reproduction. The strategy that leads to the highest long-term reproductive success is naturally selected.
What is somatic effort?
A) Energy used for producing offspring
B) Energy used for social bonding
C) Resources used for survival and bodily maintenance
D) Energy invested in competition
C) Resources used for survival and bodily maintenance
Somatic effort refers to the bioenergetic resources used for staying alive, such as growth, repair, and foraging.
What is reproductive effort in evolutionary psychology?
A) Effort to maintain social status
B) Resources used to build strength and immunity
C) Energy invested in producing and supporting offspring
D) Effort used to avoid reproductive competition
C) Energy invested in producing and supporting offspring
Reproductive effort includes all energy and resources used for creating and caring for the next generation.
What is mating effort?
A) Energy used to protect food
B) Resources spent on finding and keeping sexual partners
C) Energy devoted to immune system support
D) Time spent on social grooming
B) Resources spent on finding and keeping sexual partners
Mating effort is a subtype of reproductive effort focused specifically on acquiring and retaining mates.
What is parental or nepotistic effort in evolutionary psychology?
A) Energy used to improve one’s social status
B) Resources used for mating competition
C) Resources used to enhance survival of one’s own or relatives’ offspring
D) Time spent on self-care and fitness
C) Resources used to enhance survival of one’s own or relatives’ offspring
Parental or nepotistic effort is a form of reproductive effort focused on supporting the survival of offspring, whether they are biological children or related kin, thereby increasing inclusive fitness.
Which of the following correctly matches each type of evolutionary effort with its purpose?
A) Somatic effort – finding mates; Mating effort – body repair; Parental effort – immune defense
B) Somatic effort – survival; Mating effort – acquiring partners; Parental effort – supporting offspring
C) Somatic effort – helping kin; Mating effort – escaping predators; Parental effort – growth and development
D) Somatic effort – reproduction; Mating effort – social bonding; Parental effort – storing energy
B) Somatic effort – survival; Mating effort – acquiring partners; Parental effort – supporting offspring
What are the two fundamental trade-offs individuals face to enhance fitness?
A) Growth vs. immune strength
B) Strength vs. intelligence
C) Mortality schedule vs. fertility schedule
D) Learning vs. social bonding
C) Mortality schedule vs. fertility schedule
Individuals can increase fitness by investing in traits that either reduce early mortality (living longer) or increase fertility (reproducing more or earlier). These are fundamental life-history trade-offs in evolutionary theory.
What does the present–future reproduction trade-off describe?
A) The decision to raise offspring versus find a new mate
B) The cost of investing energy in current versus future reproduction
C) The benefit of reproducing as early and often as possible
D) The trade-off between mating and social bonding
B) The cost of investing energy in current versus future reproduction
This trade-off reflects that energy used to reproduce now may reduce your ability to reproduce later—but delaying reproduction increases the risk of dying before passing on your genes.
What does the quantity–quality trade-off in reproduction refer to?
A) Choosing between having no children or adopting
B) Deciding how much time to spend on mating versus parenting
C) Investing in either many offspring with less care or fewer offspring with more care
D) Reproducing only when resources are unlimited
C) Investing in either many offspring with less care or fewer offspring with more care
The quantity–quality trade-off is about whether to spread resources thinly across many offspring or to concentrate energy and care on a few, increasing their survival chances.
What does the mating effort–parental effort trade-off describe?
A) Choosing between helping relatives and surviving alone
B) Deciding whether to invest energy into attracting mates or raising offspring
C) Picking between social status and reproduction
D) Mating only when offspring survival is guaranteed
B) Deciding whether to invest energy into attracting mates or raising offspring
The mating effort–parental effort trade-off is about how individuals allocate energy—either toward securing more mates or toward investing in the survival and care of offspring. Evolutionary pressures differ between sexes due to biological investment differences (e.g., pregnancy, parental care).
What is the main purpose of Life History Theory (LHT) in evolutionary psychology?
A) To explain genetic mutations over time
B) To study only parental behavior in humans
C) To organize and understand species, sex, and individual differences across development and behavior
D) To compare modern behavior to historical cultural norms
C) To organize and understand species, sex, and individual differences across development and behavior
Life History Theory (LHT) provides a framework to explain how organisms allocate energy and resources across life stages—such as growth, reproduction, and parenting—to maximize fitness.
What does Life History Theory say about how individuals adapt their strategies?
A) Individuals follow the same life strategy regardless of environment
B) Environmental conditions shape how individuals allocate resources for growth, reproduction, and survival
C) Life history strategies are purely genetic and unchangeable
D) Environmental knowledge has no effect on development
B) Environmental conditions shape how individuals allocate resources for growth, reproduction, and survival
LHT explains that people develop different life strategies depending on early environmental cues, leading to different developmental paths (e.g., earlier reproduction in harsher environments).
How does high extrinsic mortality influence life history strategy?
A) It leads individuals to invest heavily in long-term parenting
B) It encourages delayed reproduction and resource saving
C) It promotes a fast strategy—early reproduction and lower investment per offspring
D) It eliminates the need for reproductive planning
C) It promotes a fast strategy—early reproduction and lower investment per offspring
In harsh or unpredictable environments where external threats to survival are high, individuals are more likely to adopt a fast life history strategy, prioritizing early reproduction over long-term investment.
According to Life History Theory, what is the most important environmental factor influencing life history strategy?
A) Access to education
B) Parental warmth
C) Extrinsic mortality
D) Cultural traditions
C) Extrinsic mortality
What type of life history strategy is more likely in a stable and predictable environment?
A) Fast (r-selection): early reproduction, low parental investment
B) Mixed strategy depending on personality
C) Slow (K-selection): delayed reproduction, high parental investment
D) Strategy focused only on short-term gains
C) Slow (K-selection): delayed reproduction, high parental investment
In stable environments, individuals are more likely to adopt a slow (K-selected) strategy—investing in fewer offspring, delaying reproduction, and providing more parental care to maximize long-term success.
What type of life history strategy is more likely in a harsh, unpredictable environment?
A) Slow (K-selection): delayed reproduction, high investment
B) Fast (r-selection): early reproduction, low investment per offspring
C) Mixed: delayed reproduction, no offspring
D) Socially focused strategy with no reproductive goal
B) Fast (r-selection): early reproduction, low investment per offspring
In unstable or dangerous environments, individuals are more likely to adopt a fast (r-selected) strategy—reproducing early and investing less per child, maximizing the chance of passing on genes before dying.
Which of the following best describes a slow (K-selected) life history strategy?
A) High mating effort, many offspring, low parental investment
B) Focus on early reproduction and low survival
C) Preference for somatic and parental effort, fewer offspring, high investment
D) Random allocation of energy across traits
C) Preference for somatic and parental effort, fewer offspring, high investment
K-selected species (like elephants and whales) prioritize long-term survival, invest heavily in fewer offspring, and allocate more energy to body maintenance and parenting rather than fast reproduction.
Which of the following best describes a fast (r-selected) life history strategy?
A) Focus on long-term survival and few offspring
B) High somatic and parental investment, slow reproduction
C) Prioritize reproduction over survival, many offspring, low parental investment
D) Reproduce slowly only under ideal conditions
C) Prioritize reproduction over survival, many offspring, low parental investment
Fast (r-selected) species like rabbits and rodents invest heavily in reproduction early, producing many offspring with minimal parental care, often due to high mortality environments.
According to Ellis and Essex (2007), what factors predicted later pubertal development in girls?
A) Low parental investment and early maternal menarche
B) High family conflict and low socioeconomic status
C) Greater parental support, high socioeconomic status, and mother’s later menarche
D) Exposure to high-risk environments and early independence
C) Greater parental support, high socioeconomic status, and mother’s later menarche
Ellis and Essex (2007) found that a stable, supportive environment—including higher SES, greater parental investment, and mother’s later menarche—delayed sexual development, consistent with a slower life history strategy.
What did Mata et al. (2016) find about risk-taking behavior across age and environment?
A) Risk taking increases steadily with age in all environments
B) Harsher environments are linked to higher risk taking and slower decline in risk with age
C) Risk taking is highest among older adults in stable environments
D) Environmental conditions have no effect on risk behavior
B) Harsher environments are linked to higher risk taking and slower decline in risk with age
Mata et al. (2016) found that in harsh or unpredictable environments, people—especially younger adults—were more likely to engage in risk-taking, and the typical age-related decline in risk was less steep
What did Hill et al. (2016) find about eating behavior and childhood SES?
A) People from all SES backgrounds regulate food the same way
B) People from low-SES backgrounds tend to eat only when hungry
C) People from high-SES backgrounds regulate eating based on current energy needs, while low-SES individuals do not
D) Low-SES individuals eat less due to limited access to food
C) People from high-SES backgrounds regulate eating based on current energy needs, while low-SES individuals do not
Hill et al. (2016) showed that early resource availability influences eating behavior: those from high-SES environments tend to self-regulate, while those from low-SES backgrounds are more likely to eat opportunistically, aligning with a fast life history strategy.
What is natural selection primarily based on?
A) Physical appearance
B) Survival in dangerous environments
C) Differential reproductive success
D) Emotional intelligence
C) Differential reproductive success
What is sexual selection?
A) Survival due to strength
B) Evolution due to reproductive advantages
C) Survival of the smartest
D) Selection for cooperation
B) Evolution due to reproductive advantages
Intrasexual competition involves:
A) Choosing a mate based on preferences
B) Mating with the opposite sex
C) Competition between same-sex individuals for access to mates
D) Avoiding mating rituals
C) Competition between same-sex individuals
What does intersexual selection refer to?
A) Competition between species
B) Survival-based evolution
C) Mate selection based on specific traits
D) Reproduction within species
C) Mate selection based on specific traits
Inclusive fitness includes:
A) Only personal reproductive success
B) Survival of unrelated individuals
C) Reproductive success of self and genetic relatives
D) Survival without reproduction
C) Reproductive success of self and genetic relatives
Which of the following is considered a product of the evolutionary process?
A) Adaptations, byproducts, and noise
B) Genetic errors
C) Unconscious desires
D) Learned behaviors only
A) Adaptations, byproducts, and noise
What is an adaptation?
A) A personality trait
B) A reliably developing structure solving adaptive problems
C) A by-product of evolution
D) A learned emotional pattern
B) A reliably developing structure solving adaptive problems
Which of these is a by-product of adaptation?
A) Human cooperation
B) Wearing glasses on the nose
C) Sweating in heat
D) Fear of snakes
B) Wearing glasses on the nose
What is an exaptation?
A) An adaptation with a new function
B) An evolutionary error
C) An emotional trait
D) A form of mutation
A) An adaptation with a new function
What are spandrels?
A) Adaptations for mating
B) Random errors in genetics
C) Side-effects of adaptations with new functions
D) Hormonal changes in youth
C) Side-effects of adaptations with new functions
What does epigenetics study?
A) Genetic mutations
B) Changes in gene expression without altering DNA
C) Hormone production
D) Psychological adaptations
B) Changes in gene expression without altering DNA
Noise in evolution refers to:
A) Desirable genetic traits
B) Neutral variations not subject to selection
C) Loud environmental stimuli
D) Maladaptive features
B) Neutral variations not subject to selection
Domain specificity means that adaptations:
A) Apply to all environments equally
B) Evolved to solve specific problems
C) Are always conscious traits
D) Change across individuals
B) Evolved to solve specific problems
Numerousness in evolutionary psychology suggests:
A) Humans evolved few universal traits
B) Multiple psychological mechanisms evolved
C) Humans lack mental adaptations
D) People change traits frequently
B) Multiple psychological mechanisms evolved
Functionality refers to:
A) Traits that disappear over time
B) Traits evolved to solve adaptive tasks
C) Emotions unrelated to behavior
D) Functions of modern education
B) Traits evolved to solve adaptive tasks
What adaptive problem does the need to belong help solve?
A) Exploration
B) Social cooperation and access to mates
C) Avoiding work
D) Mental stimulation
B) Social cooperation and access to mates
According to evolutionary theory, helping behavior is influenced by:
A) Cultural values only
B) The recipient’s ability to enhance the helper’s inclusive fitness
C) Religious training
D) Age of the individual
B) The recipient’s ability to enhance the helper’s inclusive fitness
Universal emotions are considered adaptations if:
A) They are interpreted differently across cultures
B) They are innate but change over time
C) They are recognized across all cultures
D) They are learned through socialization
C) They are recognized across all cultures
Which domain is predicted to have the most sex differences?
A) Domains with similar challenges for both sexes
B) Domains where sexes faced different evolutionary pressures
C) Intelligence
D) Language acquisition
B) Domains where sexes faced different evolutionary pressures
What is effective polygyny?
A) Men having fewer children
B) All males reproducing equally
C) Some males fathering many, others none
D) Equal parental investment
C) Some males fathering many, others none
What kind of jealousy are men more sensitive to, according to evolutionary theory?
A) Emotional betrayal
B) Sexual infidelity
C) Verbal abuse
D) Financial loss
B) Sexual infidelity
Women are predicted to be more jealous of:
A) Sexual affairs
B) Loss of partner’s emotional commitment
C) Physical attractiveness
D) Career success
B) Loss of partner’s emotional commitment
According to parental investment theory, who is more likely to seek many mates?
A) Females
B) Younger individuals
C) The sex with lower parental investment
D) Parents
C) The sex with lower parental investment
What do women prioritize more in mate preferences?
A) Physical strength
B) Humor
C) Financial resources and stability
D) Adventurousness
C) Financial resources and stability
Men tend to prefer women who signal:
A) Commitment
B) Wealth
C) Fertility through physical appearance
D) Status
C) Fertility through physical appearance
Environmental triggers of individual differences refer to:
A) Genetic randomness
B) Cultural influences only
C) Adaptations expressed based on environment
D) Traits that skip generations
C) Adaptations expressed based on environment
Physically stronger males are more likely to:
A) Be passive
B) Avoid conflict
C) Support warfare
D) Value peacekeeping
C) Support warfare
What is frequency-dependent selection?
A) Traits that become harmful over time
B) Traits selected based on reproductive history
C) Traits that are maintained based on population frequency
D) Random mating choices
C) Traits that are maintained based on population frequency
The Big Five may help solve adaptive problems by detecting:
A) Genetic mutations
B) Emotion regulation issues
C) Social traits relevant to cooperation and hierarchy
D) Cognitive intelligence
C) Social traits relevant to cooperation and hierarchy
Which of the following is a limitation of evolutionary psychology?
A) We can’t verify ancestral environments
B) Modern life differs from ancestral conditions
C) Lack of relevant theories and hypotheses can be hard to test
D) All of the above
D) All of the above
What does Life History Theory primarily explain?
A) How personality is shaped by brain structure
B) How organisms allocate energy between survival and reproduction
C) How humans develop language
D) How culture influences behavior
B) How organisms allocate energy between survival and reproduction
A “fast” life history strategy is most likely to emerge in which kind of environment?
A) Stable and resource-rich
B) Safe and predictable
C) Harsh, unpredictable, and high in extrinsic mortality
D) High in education and technology
C) Harsh, unpredictable, and high in extrinsic mortality
What is a characteristic of a “slow” life history strategy?
A) Early sexual activity and low parental investment
B) Delayed reproduction and high investment in fewer offspring
C) Risk-taking and low effort in relationships
D) Minimal concern with long-term planning
B) Delayed reproduction and high investment in fewer offspring
In Life History Theory, extrinsic mortality refers to:
A) Death caused by genetics
B) Risk of death from uncontrollable external factors
C) Death from old age
D) Psychological resilience
B) Risk of death from uncontrollable external factors
What did Ellis and Essex (2007) find about family environment and puberty timing?
A) More marital conflict led to later puberty
B) Higher parental investment led to later sexual development
C) Low SES delayed puberty in girls
D) Harsh parenting caused early menopause
B) Higher parental investment led to later sexual development
According to research, individuals from harsher environments tend to:
A) Avoid all risk-taking
B) Take fewer risks as they age
C) Show flatter decreases in risk-taking across the lifespan
D) Prefer stable careers
C) Show flatter decreases in risk-taking across the lifespan
Hill et al. (2016) found that people from high-SES backgrounds:
A) Eat based on habit regardless of energy need
B) Struggle to regulate food intake
C) Regulate their food intake based on immediate energy needs
D) Avoid high-calorie foods due to social pressure
C) Regulate their food intake based on immediate energy needs
What is the main reason high sensation seekers seek out more intense experiences?
A) They are more emotionally reactive
B) They become aroused more quickly than others
C) They have lower physiological arousability and need more stimulation
D) They dislike calm environments
C) They have lower physiological arousability and need more stimulation
In the lemon juice experiment, what physiological response is used to measure arousal?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Facial expressions
C) Amount of salivation
D) Pupil dilation
C) Amount of salivation
Why might high sensation seekers enjoy biting into a lemon more than low sensation seekers?
A) They are more sensitive to taste
B) The arousal from the lemon helps bring them closer to their optimal arousal level
C) They produce more saliva and enjoy the flavor
D) They have higher serotonin levels
B) The arousal from the lemon helps bring them closer to their optimal arousal level
Which of the following best describes the expected correlations in the lemon juice demonstration?
A) A positive correlation between sensation seeking and salivation
B) A negative correlation between sensation seeking and enjoyment of lemon
C) A positive correlation between sensation seeking and enjoyment, and a negative correlation with salivation
D) No correlation between sensation seeking and any response
C) A positive correlation between sensation seeking and enjoyment, and a negative correlation with salivation
Why do low sensation seekers salivate more than high sensation seekers when biting into a lemon?
A) They enjoy sour tastes more
B) They are more physiologically reactive to the same level of stimulation
C) They have stronger taste buds
D) They have higher baseline arousal levels
B) They are more physiologically reactive to the same level of stimulation
What is personalizing cognition?
A) Recalling facts from memory
B) Describing objects without emotion
C) Relating new information to personal experiences
D) Analyzing abstract patterns only
C) Relating new information to personal experiences
Objectifying cognition involves:
A) Emotional reflection
B) Relating information to oneself
C) Recalling objective facts
D) Avoiding memory use
C) Recalling objective facts
Information processing refers to:
A) Gathering facts for decision-making
B) Transforming sensory input into mental representations
C) Remembering emotional experiences
D) Making impulsive judgments
B) Transforming sensory input into mental representations
What does the Rod and Frame Test (RFT) assess?
A) Reaction time to light
B) Auditory memory
C) Field dependence and independence
D) Emotional response to sound
C) Field dependence and independence
Field-dependent people tend to:
A) Be more independent and detail-focused
B) Prefer nonsocial situations
C) Seek out others’ opinions and rely on social cues
D) Choose careers in engineering and math
C) Seek out others’ opinions and rely on social cues
Field-independent people are typically better at:
A) Following social cues
B) Selective attention in busy environments
C) Forming emotional connections
D) Avoiding analytical tasks
B) Selective attention in busy environments
According to reducer/augmenter theory, reducers:
A) Enhance stimulation
B) Reduce sensory input
C) Respond less to caffeine
D) Enjoy silence
B) Reduce sensory input
What is a personal construct, according to Kelly?
A) A biological trait
B) A stable personality type
C) A habitual way of interpreting the world
D) An educational technique
C) A habitual way of interpreting the world
What does locus of control refer to?
A) Belief in physical strength
B) Control over external surroundings
C) Perception of responsibility location
D) Reliance on emotional coping
C) Perception of responsibility location
What does self-efficacy refer to, according to Bandura?
A) Judging others’ ability
B) Belief in one’s ability to achieve goals
C) High intelligence
D) Motivating others
B) Belief in one’s ability to achieve goals
According to Dweck, students who believe intelligence is fixed tend to:
A) Embrace academic challenges
B) Show higher persistence
C) Avoid effort to protect self-image
D) Seek feedback to grow
C) Avoid effort to protect self-image
The belief that intelligence can be increased through effort is called:
A) Fixed mindset
B) Entity theory
C) Achievement view
D) Incremental theory
D) Incremental theory
In Higgins’ theory, a promotion focus is about:
A) Avoiding failure
B) Seeking growth and accomplishments
C) Following societal rules
D) Maintaining safety
B) Seeking growth and accomplishments
A prevention focus is primarily concerned with:
A) Ambition and reward
B) Taking bold risks
C) Caution and avoiding negative outcomes
D) Creativity and openness
C) Caution and avoiding negative outcomes
What does CAPS theory (Mischel) emphasize?
A) Behavior is consistent across all situations
B) Traits are always more influential than context
C) Behavior is shaped by situational variables
D) Emotions are the primary motivator of behavior
C) Behavior is shaped by situational variables
According to Kelly, individuals interpret their world using:
A) Emotional memories
B) Learned scripts
C) Personal constructs
D) Cognitive distortions
C) Personal constructs
The theory that reality is socially and individually constructed is called:
A) Social constructivism
B) Humanism
C) Postmodernism
D) Psychoanalysis
C) Postmodernism
A person who believes outcomes are determined by luck likely has:
A) High self-efficacy
B) Internal locus of control
C) Low intelligence
D) External locus of control
D) External locus of control
What is a key symptom of learned helplessness?
A) Excessive risk-taking
B) Lack of motivation after repeated failure
C) Disinterest in social life
D) Obsessive goal pursuit
B) Lack of motivation after repeated failure
High control and optimism in personal projects predict:
A) Greater wealth
B) High academic performance only
C) Higher life satisfaction and happiness
D) Less motivation overall
C) Higher life satisfaction and happiness
A personal project is best described as:
A) A daydream or hope
B) A teacher-assigned task
C) A self-chosen series of actions toward a goal
D) A form of punishment
C) A self-chosen series of actions toward a goal
What kind of feedback increases self-efficacy, according to Bandura?
A) Negative feedback from parents
B) Seeing others fail
C) Observing successful performance by others (modeling)
D) Frequent changes in goals
C) Observing successful performance by others (modeling)
Which best describes the achievement view of intelligence?
A) Ability to become educated
B) Emotional and social skill
C) Amount of knowledge learned
D) Reaction speed and logic
C) Amount of knowledge learned
Which theory defines intelligence as the potential to learn and solve problems?
A) Achievement theory
B) Aptitude theory
C) Learned helplessness model
D) Entity theory
B) Aptitude theory
According to Gardner, musical and kinesthetic intelligence are:
A) Subcategories of emotional intelligence
B) Not recognized in modern theories
C) Two of several types of multiple intelligences
D) Traits not linked to learning
C) Two of several types of multiple intelligences
Intrapersonal intelligence refers to:
A) Understanding math and logic
B) Insight into one’s own emotions and motives
C) Communicating with others
D) Following social trends
B) Insight into one’s own emotions and motives
