Question 1

Dr. Blackfoot is interested in the extent to which Parkinson's disease is genetic. He is using a powerful computer program to compare the DNA of one hundred people who have the disease. Dr. Blackfoot is completing a:

Accepted Answer

Dr. Blackfoot is completing a linkage study, as he is comparing the DNA of individuals with Parkinson's disease to determine the extent to which genetics may be a factor in developing the disease.

Question 2

Preet is writing an essay comparing evolutionary psychologists with sociobiologists. He points out that the two are very different because:

Accepted Answer

Sociobiologists rely more on comparisons to other species, while evolutionary psychologists focus specifically on humans. The other options are incorrect: B is partially true, but evolutionary psychologists can also study genetic influences; C is too narrow a focus and not representative of the field as a whole; and D is incorrect, as evolutionary psychologists do focus on the specific species of humans.

Question 3

The average IQ gap between severely malnourished children and well-nourished children can be as high as:

Accepted Answer

The average IQ gap between severely malnourished children and well-nourished children can be as high as 20 points, reflecting the significant impact of nutrition on cognitive development.

Question 4

Dr. Tang studies young children's language abilities. He notes that most children develop language effortlessly and without much actual teaching. Dr. Tang also knows that people with specific brain damage can lose the capacity for language. Dr. Tang believes that language is important for survival and has used this evidence to support the idea of a(n) _______ for language acquisition.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Tang's belief that language is important for survival, and the evidence that people with brain damage can lose the capacity for language, supports the idea of a mental module for language acquisition. This module is believed to be an innate, specialized system in the brain that facilitates language learning. The other options (B, C, and D) do not align with Dr. Tang's beliefs or the evidence presented.

Question 5

Raw scores on IQ tests have _______________ in developed countries for the past several generations.

Accepted Answer

Research studies have consistently shown that raw scores on IQ tests have been increasing in developed countries over the past several generations. This phenomenon is known as the Flynn effect, named after the psychologist James R. Flynn who first described the trend. The reasons for the increase in IQ scores are still the subject of debate among researchers, but it is thought to be due to a combination of factors, such as improvements in education, nutrition, and technological advancements.

Question 6

Dr. Wentz argues that all aspects of people that are determined by genes must have some sort of adaptive purpose because of natural selection. Dr. Merrick immediately disagrees and says:

Accepted Answer

Male pattern baldness is a trait that is determined by genes but does not seem to have an adaptive purpose. It is unlikely that baldness would have been selected for because it does not affect survival or reproductive success.

Question 7

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

Reading development in preschoolers is a human characteristic that is not thought to be innate, as children are not born with the ability to read and must learn the skill through environmental exposure and instruction. The other topics listed (novelty-seeking behavior, block play, play fighting) may have innate components, such as genetics or instinctual behaviors, making them less suitable for an essay on a non-innate human characteristic.

Question 8

Because of the way that humans evolved, many of our characteristics either are present at birth or develop rapidly during maturation. Some of these characteristics, such as standing on two legs, are obvious. Name and describe five of the less obvious traits that are innate.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Because of the way that humans evolved,...

Question 9

Where do new genetic variations come from? After a genetic variation exists, what would cause its frequency in the population increase until it was fairly common?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Where do new genetic variations come from?...

Question 10

Professor Voxel is asked by a student to explain the relative contribution of nature and nurture to intelligence. Which of the following would be the most accurate response?

Accepted Answer

Intelligence is a complex trait influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Both nature and nurture interact and affect cognitive development. Researchers have found that genetics can contribute up to 50% to intelligence, while the rest can be attributed to environmental factors like education, nutrition, and social experiences. Therefore, the development of intelligence is the result of a complicated interaction between nature and nurture.

Question 11

There is no way to calculate the heritability of a trait or behaviour directly, so scientists must infer it. Explain, in detail, the two approaches that are used for that purpose.

Accepted Answer

The answer of There is no way to calculate the...

Question 12

Dr. Chein studies changes in genes that occur by mistake. Dr. Chein's research is BEST described as being focused on:

Accepted Answer

Dr. Chein's research is focused on studying changes in genes that occur by mistake, which is known as gene mutations. Therefore, the best choice is A, gene mutations.

Question 13

According to your textbook, which of the following environmental factors is associated with reduced intelligence?

Accepted Answer

Poor prenatal care, such as malnutrition, exposure to toxins, and maternal stress, can lead to reduced intelligence in children. The other options listed do not have strong empirical evidence linking them to reduced intelligence.

Question 14

Which of the following is true regarding the intellectual differences between and within various groups?

Accepted Answer

Even if differences within a group are due to genetic differences, it is possible that differences between groups are due to environmental factors such as cultural practices or access to resources. Therefore, it is important to consider both genetic and environmental factors when studying group differences. Option A is incorrect because genetic differences within a group do not necessarily translate to genetic differences between groups. Option B is incorrect because differences between groups can also be due to genetic factors, and within-group differences can also be due to environmental factors. Option D is not entirely correct because heritability estimates can be used to measure variability within and between groups, but environmental influences also play a role.

Question 15

Discuss four risk factors that have been associated with reduced mental abilities in children. How, in contrast, can a stimulating environment promote mental performance?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss four risk factors that have been...

Question 16

According to your textbook, which of the following environmental factors is associated with reduced intelligence?

Accepted Answer

The textbook suggests that stressful family circumstances, such as poverty or exposure to violence, can negatively impact a child's cognitive development and ultimately result in reduced intelligence. The other options listed (Bilingual education, attending preschool, and consumption of artificial sweetener) are not associated with reduced intelligence according to the textbook.

Question 17

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

The answer of In Chapter 1, the importance of critical...

Question 18

Handfuls of tomato seeds that vary genetically are grabbed from a bag and placed in two separate pots. The first pot has enriched soil and is exposed to sunlight, whereas the nutrients in the second pot's soil have been depleted and the pot is placed in a dark corner. When the tomato plants grow:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Handfuls of tomato seeds that vary genetically...

Question 19

You are on a wilderness hike in the rainforest when you easily spot a bird with spectacular feathers doing a display in a tree. Your friend says, "She's beautiful!" Based on your knowledge of sexual selection, you reply:

Accepted Answer

In many bird species, males are the ones with spectacular feathers used for displays to attract females, a result of sexual selection where traits that are attractive to the opposite sex are favored and become more pronounced in one sex, often the males.

Question 20

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

The answer of In Chapter 1, the importance of critical...

Quiz 3: Genes, Evolution, and Environment

Dr. Blackfoot is interested in the extent to which Parkinson's disease is genetic. He is using a powerful computer program to compare the DNA of one hundred people who have the disease. Dr. Blackfoot is completing a:

Preet is writing an essay comparing evolutionary psychologists with sociobiologists. He points out that the two are very different because:

The average IQ gap between severely malnourished children and well-nourished children can be as high as:

Raw scores on IQ tests have _______________ in developed countries for the past several generations.

Dr. Wentz argues that all aspects of people that are determined by genes must have some sort of adaptive purpose because of natural selection. Dr. Merrick immediately disagrees and says:

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?

Because of the way that humans evolved, many of our characteristics either are present at birth or develop rapidly during maturation. Some of these characteristics, such as standing on two legs, are obvious. Name and describe five of the less obvious traits that are innate.

Where do new genetic variations come from? After a genetic variation exists, what would cause its frequency in the population increase until it was fairly common?

Professor Voxel is asked by a student to explain the relative contribution of nature and nurture to intelligence. Which of the following would be the most accurate response?

There is no way to calculate the heritability of a trait or behaviour directly, so scientists must infer it. Explain, in detail, the two approaches that are used for that purpose.

Dr. Chein studies changes in genes that occur by mistake. Dr. Chein's research is BEST described as being focused on:

According to your textbook, which of the following environmental factors is associated with reduced intelligence?

Which of the following is true regarding the intellectual differences between and within various groups?

Discuss four risk factors that have been associated with reduced mental abilities in children. How, in contrast, can a stimulating environment promote mental performance?

According to your textbook, which of the following environmental factors is associated with reduced intelligence?

Handfuls of tomato seeds that vary genetically are grabbed from a bag and placed in two separate pots. The first pot has enriched soil and is exposed to sunlight, whereas the nutrients in the second pot's soil have been depleted and the pot is placed in a dark corner. When the tomato plants grow:

You are on a wilderness hike in the rainforest when you easily spot a bird with spectacular feathers doing a display in a tree. Your friend says, "She's beautiful!" Based on your knowledge of sexual selection, you reply: