Question 1

The research evidence for reciprocal altruism provides support for the claim that:
A) individuals are willing to help if they can ultimately receive something in return.
B) altruism has an evolutionary basis such that a person is more likely to help kin.
C) altruism is primarily a psychological phenomenon, rather than a biological phenomenon.
D) research has no bearing on cross-cultural findings related to the basis to altruism.

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal altruism is based on the idea that individuals are more likely to help others if they can ultimately benefit in some way. This concept is a key aspect of social exchange theory, which asserts that people are motivated by self-interest and will help others if they believe it will result in positive outcomes for themselves. While kin selection is also an important aspect of altruism, the specific focus of reciprocal altruism is on the exchange of goods or services between non-related individuals. Further, research on reciprocal altruism has been conducted across multiple cultures, suggesting that this phenomenon is not limited to any one specific group or set of values.

Question 2

Given that the heritability of empathy was found to be high (in one study, .72), which interpretation of these findings is MOST appropriate with regard to the question of whether people are basically selfish?
A) Empathy is inherited, and environmental influences contribute only approximately 28% to helping.
B) Empathy is largely genetically determined and not subject to learning and other environmental influences.
C) Altruism and empathy are largely inherited and cause people to help more if they have the genes for these traits.
D) There is a genetic influence of empathy on individual differences measured in the population related to helping behavior.

Accepted Answer

The high heritability of empathy suggests that there is a genetic influence on individual differences in empathy and related behaviors like helping. However, this does not necessarily mean that people are inherently selfish, as environmental influences may also play a role in shaping behavior.

Question 3

The chapter discussion on whether people are basically selfish or unselfish is divided into different sections such as "The Biological Basis of Altruism" and "Social Psychological Research on Empathy and Altruism." This organization of the discussion is MOST closely related to:
A) recognizing the quantity of evidence used in the discussion.
B) the arguments versus non-arguments in the discussion.
C) evaluating arguments and counterarguments in the discussion.
D) the perspectives taken in the discussion.

Accepted Answer

The organization of the discussion into different sections based on different perspectives (the biological basis and social psychological research) suggests that the discussion is focused on exploring different viewpoints on the topic rather than evaluating arguments or presenting a large quantity of evidence. Therefore, the best choice is D.

Question 4

Jaime says, "Theo is a selfish person because he never volunteers to help." Jack asks, "Why does Theo never volunteer to help?" Jaime replies, "Because he is selfish." Which thinking or argumentation error does Jaime show?
A) Confirmation bias
B) Arguing from ignorance
C) After-the-fact reasoning
D) Circular reasoning

Accepted Answer

Jaime is using circular reasoning by simply restating her conclusion as her argument without providing any additional evidence or reasoning to support it. She assumes that Theo is selfish and that this explains why he never volunteers to help, but does not offer any reasons for why she believes Theo is selfish in the first place.

Question 5

Myside bias is most closely related to which other thinking error?
A) Illusory correlation
B) Black-and-white thinking
C) Confirmation bias
D) Circular reasoning

Accepted Answer

Myside bias refers to the tendency to favor one's own opinions and beliefs, even when presented with evidence that contradicts them. This is very similar to confirmation bias, which is the tendency to look for and selectively interpret information in a way that supports our preexisting beliefs.

Question 6

Charles Darwin developed his creative theory of evolution by combining the:
A) methods of experimental biology with what was known in chemistry.
B) viewpoints of three of his main teachers.
C) results of laboratory research on natural selection with field studies.
D) perspectives offered by economics, geology, and natural history (biology).

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution by combining the perspectives offered by economics, geology, and natural history (biology). He conducted extensive field studies during his voyage on the HMS Beagle, and these observations informed his understanding of natural selection. He also drew on his knowledge of economics to understand how competition between species influences evolution, and his background in geology helped him to grasp the immense timescales involved in evolutionary processes.

Question 7

The chapter discussion on whether people are basically selfish or unselfish is divided into different sections. The sections contain evidence on each side of the question. To draw a well-reasoned conclusion from the entire passage, the critical thinker must evaluate
A) the quality and quantity of evidence supporting each side in each section and then generalize from this analysis.
B) the arguments versus non-arguments in the overall discussion and then deduce the strongest conclusion.
C) how good are the arguments and counterarguments made in the discussion.
D) the perspectives that provide different information to decide which perspective leads to the most reasonable conclusion.

Accepted Answer

A evaluates the quality and quantity of evidence supporting each side in each section and then draws a conclusion from this analysis, which is the most thorough and logical approach to reach a well-reasoned conclusion. B is too simplistic and does not consider the quality of arguments. C is too narrow in focus and ignores the sections' overall contribution to the question. D is useful for considering different perspectives, but it does not provide a systematic approach to analyzing evidence throughout the entire passage.

Question 8

Which is a common psychological misconception that people have about heritability?
A) High heritability means a trait or ability is largely genetically determined and cannot change or be influenced by learning and experience.
B) Heritability is similar to correlation and, therefore, shows an association between genetic factors and behavior.
C) A high heritability score means there is a genetic influence for some characteristic across the population as measured in the population.
D) A high heritability score does not mean that behavior is controlled by genes or inheritance.

Accepted Answer

The common misconception is that high heritability means a trait or ability is largely genetically determined and cannot change or be influenced by learning and experience. However, heritability only indicates the extent to which differences between individuals in a population are due to genetic factors, not that a trait is completely determined by genes and cannot be influenced by environmental factors.

Question 9

The issue of whether a person should help another person is MOST likely to be discussed from a _____ perspective.
A) psychological
B) philosophical
C) biopsychological
D) developmental

Accepted Answer

The issue of whether a person should help another person involves ethical considerations, which are typically discussed from a philosophical perspective. While psychological, biopsychological, and developmental perspectives may be useful in understanding factors that influence helping behavior, they do not address the normative question of whether it is right or wrong to help others.

Question 10

A researcher hypothesized that people who show more helping behavior do this because they are more helpful than less helpful people. This hypothesis is BEST described as:
A) adequate because it compares at least two different conditions.
B) good because it compares conditions and has an independent variable and a dependent variable.
C) not very good because it seems to involve circular reasoning.
D) not very good because it seems to involve reasoning from ignorance.

Accepted Answer

The hypothesis is not very good because it involves circular reasoning. The hypothesis assumes that the people who show more helping behavior are more helpful, but it does not provide any evidence to support this assumption. Therefore, the hypothesis cannot be tested or confirmed, and it cannot lead to any meaningful conclusions about the relationship between helping behavior and helpfulness.

Question 11

Which statement is TRUE about heritability?
A) High heritability means an ability is largely genetically determined and not subject to learning and other environmental influences.
B) There is a genetic influence for some characteristics across the population as measured in the population.
C) When heritability is high, it means that some trait is largely inherited and that genes are causing a behavior.
D) A high heritability score indicates that there is a genetic determination for some characteristic.

Accepted Answer

Heritability refers to the proportion of variation in a trait among individuals in a population that can be attributed to genetic differences. It does not imply that a trait is genetically determined in an absolute sense, but rather indicates the extent to which genetic factors contribute to observed variation in that trait within a specific population and environment.

Question 12

The finding that people are more likely to help kin suggests that people:
A) have evolved the capacity to be altruistic to people in general.
B) learn to help through reinforcement or social learning.
C) will help for purely altruistic reasons.
D) will help under certain conditions, such as when they are related.

Accepted Answer

The finding that people are more likely to help kin suggests that helping behavior is not purely based on altruism, but can also be influenced by factors such as genetic relatedness. Therefore, people are likely to help under certain conditions, such as when they are related. This supports option D as the best choice. Option A is incorrect because it implies that all people are naturally altruistic, regardless of their relationship to the person in need. Option B may be a factor in learning to help, but the question specifically refers to the finding that people are more likely to help kin. Option C is incorrect because it implies that people always help for purely selfless reasons, which is not always the case.

Question 13

The question "Is selfishness beneficial or harmful?" is a:
A) critical question.
B) values question.
C) rhetorical question.
D) descriptive question.

Accepted Answer

The question is asking about the value judgment on selfishness, which makes it a values question. It is not a critical question (which would analyze the reasoning behind the argument), a rhetorical question (which is used to make a point or persuade), or a descriptive question (which seeks to describe or define something).

Question 14

Hoffman (1981) and others have argued that empathy is an innate or biologically prepared trait in people. This view was supported by research showing that infants will spontaneously begin to cry when another baby is in distress. This is most consistent with the view that people are:
A) altruistic.
B) basically selfish.
C) helpful when a reward for helping is available.
D) antisocial.

Accepted Answer

The fact that infants will spontaneously begin to cry when another baby is in distress supports the view that empathy is an innate or biologically prepared trait in people. This suggests that people have a basic motivation to help others, indicating an altruistic tendency.

Question 15

If a researcher investigates the evolution and genetics of helping behavior, this researcher is taking a _____ perspective.
A) social psychological
B) basic psychological
C) biopsychological
D) historical

Accepted Answer

Investigating the evolution and genetics of behavior falls under the biopsychological perspective, which combines both biology and psychology in understanding behavior.

Question 16

A researcher who tests whether people are more likely to help if they are alone versus in a group is MOST likely to be a:
A) social psychologist.
B) developmental psychologist.
C) biopsychologist.
D) cognitive psychologist.

Accepted Answer

This research question is focused on understanding the impact of social influences (being alone versus being in a group) on behavior, which is the primary focus of social psychology. Developmental psychology focuses on the study of how individuals change and develop over time. Biopsychology focuses on the relationship between biology and behavior. Cognitive psychology focuses on mental processes such as thinking, memory, and problem-solving.

Question 17

From a critical thinking perspective, myside bias is a problem with thinking because it:
A) shows that an individual does not know how to make a basic argument.
B) is selfish and shows that an individual does not care about other people.
C) is one-sided and does not take into account other views on a question.
D) is a kind of circular reasoning that does not lead to anything new.

Accepted Answer

Myside bias is when someone only considers their own perspective and does not take into account other viewpoints or evidence that may contradict their beliefs. This can be problematic because it can lead to closed-mindedness and an inability to consider alternative ideas or solutions. Therefore, the best answer is C, which accurately reflects this one-sided thinking. Choices A, B, and D do not accurately describe the problem with myside bias.

Question 18

An active process that involves broadening one's understanding by seeing a question from a different viewpoint is called:
A) objective looking.
B) visualizing.
C) perspective taking.
D) philosophizing.

Accepted Answer

The term "perspective taking" specifically refers to the act of seeing a question or issue from a different viewpoint in order to broaden one's understanding. "Objective looking" could refer to simply observing without bias, but it does not necessarily involve actively seeking out different perspectives. "Visualizing" and "philosophizing" are both related to thinking deeply about a question or issue, but they do not specifically involve broadening one's understanding through seeing it from a different viewpoint.

Question 19

Philosophers and religious authorities have often argued that people should help others in need. This statement relates to a _____ question about helping.
A) cognitive
B) values
C) improvisational
D) descriptive

Accepted Answer

The statement about helping pertains to a question of values, as it suggests a moral obligation to act in a certain way towards others.

Question 20

Philosophers and religious authorities have often argued that people should help others in need. How is this statement reflected in the approach taken by most psychological researchers studying helping?
A) Psychologists usually take a descriptive approach rather than a values-question approach and focus on the study of helping behavior.
B) Psychologists agree with the value of helping, study it, and recommend it in their research reports.
C) Psychologists usually consider helping behavior in terms of whether it is right for people to help others in a situation.
D) Psychologists agree with a values approach, in that helping is always good, and conduct surveys to quantify instances of helping.

Accepted Answer

Psychological researchers studying helping typically take a descriptive approach, focusing on studying the behavior itself rather than questioning the values behind it. While they may acknowledge the belief that people should help others in need, their research typically focuses on understanding the factors that influence whether and how people actually do help in different situations, rather than passing judgment on the moral value of helping itself.

Quiz 10: Critically Analyzing a Psychological Question: Are People Basically Selfish

The research evidence for reciprocal altruism provides support for the claim that:

Given that the heritability of empathy was found to be high (in one study, .72) , which interpretation of these findings is MOST appropriate with regard to the question of whether people are basically selfish?

The chapter discussion on whether people are basically selfish or unselfish is divided into different sections such as "The Biological Basis of Altruism" and "Social Psychological Research on Empathy and Altruism." This organization of the discussion is MOST closely related to:

Jaime says, "Theo is a selfish person because he never volunteers to help." Jack asks, "Why does Theo never volunteer to help?" Jaime replies, "Because he is selfish." Which thinking or argumentation error does Jaime show?

Myside bias is most closely related to which other thinking error?

Charles Darwin developed his creative theory of evolution by combining the:

The chapter discussion on whether people are basically selfish or unselfish is divided into different sections. The sections contain evidence on each side of the question. To draw a well-reasoned conclusion from the entire passage, the critical thinker must evaluate

Which is a common psychological misconception that people have about heritability?

The issue of whether a person should help another person is MOST likely to be discussed from a _____ perspective.

A researcher hypothesized that people who show more helping behavior do this because they are more helpful than less helpful people. This hypothesis is BEST described as:

Which statement is TRUE about heritability?

The finding that people are more likely to help kin suggests that people:

The question "Is selfishness beneficial or harmful?" is a:

Hoffman (1981) and others have argued that empathy is an innate or biologically prepared trait in people. This view was supported by research showing that infants will spontaneously begin to cry when another baby is in distress. This is most consistent with the view that people are:

If a researcher investigates the evolution and genetics of helping behavior, this researcher is taking a _____ perspective.

A researcher who tests whether people are more likely to help if they are alone versus in a group is MOST likely to be a:

From a critical thinking perspective, myside bias is a problem with thinking because it:

An active process that involves broadening one's understanding by seeing a question from a different viewpoint is called:

Philosophers and religious authorities have often argued that people should help others in need. This statement relates to a _____ question about helping.

Philosophers and religious authorities have often argued that people should help others in need. How is this statement reflected in the approach taken by most psychological researchers studying helping?