Question 1

Which of the following is an important fact about heritability?

Accepted Answer

A)  Estimates of heritability based on one group can be generalized to other groups. 
B)  Estimates of heritability are affected by the environment in which the people being studied live. 
C)  Heritability estimates apply only to a specific person, not groups of people. 
D)  When a trait is highly heritable, it cannot be modified by the environment. 
A)  Estimates of heritability based on one group can be generalized to other groups. 
B)  Estimates of heritability are affected by the environment in which the people being studied live. 
C)  Heritability estimates apply only to a specific person, not groups of people. 
D)  When a trait is highly heritable, it cannot be modified by the environment.

Question 2

Which of the following would an evolutionary psychologist expect to be more typical of females than of males?

Accepted Answer

A)  Promiscuity 
B)  choosiness about sexual partners 
C)  concern with dominance 
D)  emphasis on physical attractiveness of partners 
A)  Promiscuity 
B)  choosiness about sexual partners 
C)  concern with dominance 
D)  emphasis on physical attractiveness of partners

Question 3

An example of a characteristic that is either present at birth in all humans or develops rapidly during maturation would be:

Accepted Answer

A)  strong eyesight. 
B)  a fear of new things. 
C)  an understanding of numbers. 
D)  leadership qualities. 
A)  strong eyesight. 
B)  a fear of new things. 
C)  an understanding of numbers. 
D)  leadership qualities.

Question 4

In Chapter 1, the importance of critical thinking was noted. In particular, a critical thinker knows that after a general question is raised, the next step is to define one's terms in a clear and concrete way. Chapter 2 provided even more detail in the discussion of operational definitions. How do behavioural geneticists define the meaning of heritability? What does it mean when a trait is said to be highly heritable?

Accepted Answer

A good answer will include the following

Question 5

For children and adolescents, heritability estimates for intelligence average around ______________.

Accepted Answer

A)  0.05-0.10 
B)  0.10-0.20 
C)  0.40-.050 
D)  0.90-1.00 
A)  0.05-0.10 
B)  0.10-0.20 
C)  0.40-.050 
D)  0.90-1.00

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the position of most psychologists today on the nature-nurture issue?

Accepted Answer

A)  Nature and nurture interact to produce both our psychological and physical traits. 
B)  Nature is more important in producing our physical traits, whereas nurture is more important in producing our psychological traits. 
C)  Nature is more important in producing our psychological traits, whereas nurture is more important in producing our physical traits. 
D)  Some of our psychological traits are produced primarily by nature and some by nurture, but nature is most important in producing our physical traits. 
A)  Nature and nurture interact to produce both our psychological and physical traits. 
B)  Nature is more important in producing our physical traits, whereas nurture is more important in producing our psychological traits. 
C)  Nature is more important in producing our psychological traits, whereas nurture is more important in producing our physical traits. 
D)  Some of our psychological traits are produced primarily by nature and some by nurture, but nature is most important in producing our physical traits.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes what a "mental module" is?

Accepted Answer

A)  a specific brain area that has evolved a particular function 
B)  a mental process that is taught from generation to generation 
C)  a specialized mental process that has evolved through natural selection 
D)  an area of the brain where ancestral memories are stored 
A)  a specific brain area that has evolved a particular function 
B)  a mental process that is taught from generation to generation 
C)  a specialized mental process that has evolved through natural selection 
D)  an area of the brain where ancestral memories are stored

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the relationship between genes and traits?

Accepted Answer

A)  Physical traits are usually determined by a single gene pair, whereas psychological traits are usually determined by multiple genes. 
B)  Psychological traits are usually determined by a single gene pair, whereas physical traits are usually determined by multiple genes. 
C)  Both physical and psychological traits are usually determined by multiple genes. 
D)  Both physical and psychological traits are usually determined by a single gene. 
A)  Physical traits are usually determined by a single gene pair, whereas psychological traits are usually determined by multiple genes. 
B)  Psychological traits are usually determined by a single gene pair, whereas physical traits are usually determined by multiple genes. 
C)  Both physical and psychological traits are usually determined by multiple genes. 
D)  Both physical and psychological traits are usually determined by a single gene.

Question 9

Empiricists would agree that:

Accepted Answer

A)  experience can write virtually any message on the blank slate of human nature. 
B)  an impulse for young mammals to play and fool around may be biologically adaptive. 
C)  just as a bird is designed to fly, human beings are designed to use language. 
D)  men are genetically wired to be promiscuous and women to be monogamous. 
A)  experience can write virtually any message on the blank slate of human nature. 
B)  an impulse for young mammals to play and fool around may be biologically adaptive. 
C)  just as a bird is designed to fly, human beings are designed to use language. 
D)  men are genetically wired to be promiscuous and women to be monogamous.

Question 10

What two processes, during the formation of sperm and eggs, help explain genetic changes within a population?

Accepted Answer

- Errors can occur when DNA is being cop

Question 11

In Chapter 1, the importance of critical thinking was noted. In particular, a critical thinker looks beyond the obvious and resists easy generalizations. Analyze critically the sex differences in courtship and mating that are common in cultures around the world and among nonhuman mammals. How would you respond to the following question: Do genes hold culture on a tight leash; a long, flexible leash; or no leash at all?

Accepted Answer

A good answer will include the following

Question 12

The four basic chemical elements that hold the two helixes of DNA together are called:

Accepted Answer

A)  thymine, histamine, cytosine, and almandine. 
B)  lysine, adenine, serine, and guanine. 
C)  thymine, adenine, cytosine, and guanine. 
D)  almandine, histamine, cytosine, and lysine. 
A)  thymine, histamine, cytosine, and almandine. 
B)  lysine, adenine, serine, and guanine. 
C)  thymine, adenine, cytosine, and guanine. 
D)  almandine, histamine, cytosine, and lysine.

Question 13

Alex has been assigned to write an essay on a human characteristic that is not thought to be innate. He has four topics to choose from. Which one should he choose?

Accepted Answer

A)  reading development in preschoolers 
B)  novelty-seeking behaviour in children 
C)  block play in young children 
D)  play fighting among young brothers and sisters 
A)  reading development in preschoolers 
B)  novelty-seeking behaviour in children 
C)  block play in young children 
D)  play fighting among young brothers and sisters

Question 14

_______________ may occur because of mistakes made when DNA copies itself during cell divisions or because of environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Accepted Answer

A)  Mutations 
B)  Noncoding DNA 
C)  Epigenetics 
D)  Twins 
A)  Mutations 
B)  Noncoding DNA 
C)  Epigenetics 
D)  Twins

Question 15

Genes are located on _______________, rod-shaped structures found in the nucleus of a cell.

Accepted Answer

A)  ribosomes 
B)  chromosomes 
C)  genomes 
D)  DNA 
A)  ribosomes 
B)  chromosomes 
C)  genomes 
D)  DNA

Question 16

What is meant by the term "mental module"?

Accepted Answer

A good answer will include the following

Question 17

Which of the following is the hypothesis an evolutionary psychologist is most likely to put forth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Humans dislike bitter food because it indicates that the flavoring is artificial. 
B)  Humans are often scared of loud sirens because they are associated with the police. 
C)  Humans are often scared of snakes because this trait protected our ancestors from deadly bites. 
D)  Humans like sweet food because it is associated with special treats, like ice cream. 
A)  Humans dislike bitter food because it indicates that the flavoring is artificial. 
B)  Humans are often scared of loud sirens because they are associated with the police. 
C)  Humans are often scared of snakes because this trait protected our ancestors from deadly bites. 
D)  Humans like sweet food because it is associated with special treats, like ice cream.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the principle of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

A)  A species constantly improves as parents pass along their best traits to their offspring. 
B)  Over time, the amino acids producing defective traits are destroyed by the body. 
C)  Individuals with genetically influenced traits that are adaptive in a particular environment tend to survive and reproduce. 
D)  If a trait or characteristic is no longer adaptive, then the environment will create better, more adaptive traits. 
A)  A species constantly improves as parents pass along their best traits to their offspring. 
B)  Over time, the amino acids producing defective traits are destroyed by the body. 
C)  Individuals with genetically influenced traits that are adaptive in a particular environment tend to survive and reproduce. 
D)  If a trait or characteristic is no longer adaptive, then the environment will create better, more adaptive traits.

Question 19

With regard to the interaction between human genes and experiences:

Accepted Answer

A)  genes can affect one's experiences, but experiences cannot affect genes. 
B)  experiences can affect genes, but genes cannot affect experiences. 
C)  both genes and experiences can affect each other. 
D)  the effects of genes and experience are independent. 
A)  genes can affect one's experiences, but experiences cannot affect genes. 
B)  experiences can affect genes, but genes cannot affect experiences. 
C)  both genes and experiences can affect each other. 
D)  the effects of genes and experience are independent.

Question 20

_______________, the basic units of heredity, are located on chromosomes.

Accepted Answer

A)  Ribosomes 
B)  Cells 
C)  Genes 
D)  Nuclei 
A)  Ribosomes 
B)  Cells 
C)  Genes 
D)  Nuclei

Which of the following is an important fact about heritability?

Which of the following would an evolutionary psychologist expect to be more typical of females than of males?

An example of a characteristic that is either present at birth in all humans or develops rapidly during maturation would be:

For children and adolescents, heritability estimates for intelligence average around ______________.

Which of the following best describes the position of most psychologists today on the nature-nurture issue?

Which of the following best describes what a "mental module" is?

Which of the following best describes the relationship between genes and traits?

Empiricists would agree that:

What two processes, during the formation of sperm and eggs, help explain genetic changes within a population?

The four basic chemical elements that hold the two helixes of DNA together are called:

Alex has been assigned to write an essay on a human characteristic that is not thought to be innate. He has four topics to choose from. Which one should he choose?

_______________ may occur because of mistakes made when DNA copies itself during cell divisions or because of environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Genes are located on _______________, rod-shaped structures found in the nucleus of a cell.

What is meant by the term "mental module"?

Which of the following is the hypothesis an evolutionary psychologist is most likely to put forth?

Which of the following best describes the principle of natural selection?

With regard to the interaction between human genes and experiences:

_______________, the basic units of heredity, are located on chromosomes.

What Is Psychology

How Psychologists Do Research

The Brain and Nervous System

Body Rhythms and Mental States

Sensation and Perception

Learning and Conditioning

Behaviour in Social and Cultural Context

Thinking and Intelligence

Memory

Emotion, Stress, and Health

Motivation

Development Over the Life Span

Theories of Personality

Psychological Disorders

Approaches to Treatment and Therapy

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Exam 3: Genes, Evolution, and Environment

Which of the following is an important fact about heritability?

Which of the following would an evolutionary psychologist expect to be more typical of females than of males?

An example of a characteristic that is either present at birth in all humans or develops rapidly during maturation would be:

For children and adolescents, heritability estimates for intelligence average around ______________.

Which of the following best describes the position of most psychologists today on the nature-nurture issue?

Which of the following best describes what a "mental module" is?

Which of the following best describes the relationship between genes and traits?

Empiricists would agree that:

What two processes, during the formation of sperm and eggs, help explain genetic changes within a population?

The four basic chemical elements that hold the two helixes of DNA together are called:

Alex has been assigned to write an essay on a human characteristic that is not thought to be innate. He has four topics to choose from. Which one should he choose?

_______________ may occur because of mistakes made when DNA copies itself during cell divisions or because of environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Genes are located on _______________, rod-shaped structures found in the nucleus of a cell.

What is meant by the term "mental module"?

Which of the following is the hypothesis an evolutionary psychologist is most likely to put forth?

Which of the following best describes the principle of natural selection?

With regard to the interaction between human genes and experiences:

_______________, the basic units of heredity, are located on chromosomes.

What Is Psychology

How Psychologists Do Research

The Brain and Nervous System

Body Rhythms and Mental States

Sensation and Perception

Learning and Conditioning

Behaviour in Social and Cultural Context

Thinking and Intelligence

Memory

Emotion, Stress, and Health

Motivation

Development Over the Life Span

Theories of Personality

Psychological Disorders

Approaches to Treatment and Therapy

Filters