Chapter 3 - part 8: The Evolutionary Bases of Behaviour

Which of the following statements about Charles Darwin and the theory of evolution is NOT accurate?

Imagine that you and Charles Darwin are looking at a newborn litter of kittens, and the kittens are all a bit different from one another. As you observe the kittens, you ask Mr. Darwin which of the kittens will be most “fit” in terms of natural selection. What would Mr. Darwin be most likely to say in response to your question?

If our planet were a place where each individual has the opportunity to acquire all necessary resources, and each individual produces exactly one offspring in his or her lifetime, what impact would this have on the process of evolution by natural selection?

Which of the following is the key factor in evolutionary change, according to Darwin’s theory of evolution?

What do we call the process by which genes that lead to a survival or reproductive advantage become more frequent in the next generation?

Which of the following aspects of evolution is mainly based on chance alone?

If an individual is born with a genetic mutation, what will happen to that mutation in an evolutionary sense?

What occurs when gene frequencies in a population shift because some individuals leave the population and others enter it?

Which of the following is most likely to contribute to the emergence of new species?

What do we call an inherited characteristic that solves a survival problem?

Humans’ taste preferences for fatty substances would have conferred a survival advantage for our ancestors, but in our modern environment, where we have an overabundance of food, that preference can end up causing obesity and illness. What would an evolutionary psychologist say about this trend?

Why is it more difficult to study the evolution of behaviour compared to studying the evolution of physical traits?

What makes a behaviour adaptive, according to evolutionary theory?

Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the roles of heredity and environment in shaping our behaviour?

In your text, we saw that schizophrenia may be a function of abnormalities in neurotransmitter activity, structural defects in the brain, and genetic vulnerability. Which of the following unifying themes of your text do these findings support?

Much of what we know about left brain/right brain differences would not be known without systematic research and analysis. The current interest in the right brain/left brain phenomenon highlights the importance of approaching topics such as this from which point of view?

Kim is good at reading maps and enjoys listening to music. What would some researchers suggest about Kim, according to the Personal Application, Evaluating the Concept of “Two Minds in One”?

In the Personal Application, Evaluating the Concept of “Two Minds in One,” what was the conclusion regarding left-brain and right-brain thinking?

Which of the following features do all of the studies highlighting the possible importance of early experience in animals have in common?

Dr. Sandra Witelson found that Einstein’s brain was similar in terms of size and weight to most other brains, but that it had certain exceptionalities, including a wider parietal region and a distinct sylvian fissure. Which of the following is a reasonable statement about Einstein’s brain given what we know about the role of environment for brain plasticity?

Which of the following is a valid hypothesis, considering both the Hebbian Learning Rule and evidence that there is a decline in the number of synapses in the human brain after about age 1?

Drug 8K43 is a stimulant drug that acts by blocking the reuptake of dopamine in the nervous system. This means that dopamine stays in the synapse longer and continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron. Based on this information, what can we infer about the effects of dopamine on the postsynaptic neuron?

Which of the following does NOT belong with the others?

Which of the following does NOT belong with the others?

Trevor (next few questions will come from this) Trevor is going for a run. He starts thinking about all the things that he needs to do throughout his day, and he decides that after he showers he will study for his midterm for a little while before he goes to work for the evening. As Trevor rounds the corner near home, he sees something move near his feet and then feels a sharp pain in his right leg. At this point, Trevor’s heart rate increases substantially, as he spins away from the dog that just bit him. As the dog’s owner apologizes and puts the dog back on its leash, Trevor’s heart rate slows down and he then makes his way home. As Trevor’s heart rate is coming back down after the dog bite, he is feeling less fear. Which division of the nervous system is responsible for the physiological changes associated with calming back down?

As Trevor is running, what area of his brain is sending signals to his muscles so that they will move?

When Trevor feels the pain in his right leg, what area of the brain responds to this sensation?

As Trevor plans out his day, which area of his brain is processing these higher-level thoughts?

What would an evolutionary psychologist say about Trevor’s physiological responses to the frightening experience of being bitten?