Question 1

According to the evolutionary psychology perspective, the process of social exclusion leads to anxiety because
A) people fear that others will punish them.
B) experiencing anxiety serves an important survival function.
C) each of us is reminded of a traumatic experience in childhood.
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

According to the evolutionary psychology perspective, anxiety is an adaptive response that has evolved over time to help individuals identify and respond to potential threats. In the case of social exclusion, anxiety may be triggered because it alerts us to the fact that we are being excluded from a vital social group, which could threaten our survival in the long term. Therefore, experiencing anxiety serves an important survival function. The other options (A and C) are not necessarily true in all cases of social exclusion and anxiety.

Question 2

According to evolutionary personality theory, psychological mechanisms
A) evolved because they were needed for survival.
B) helped the species survive and reproduce.
C) are identical in all people.
D) were once useful, but no longer are.

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary personality theory argues that certain personality traits and psychological mechanisms evolved because they were beneficial for survival and reproduction. These traits and mechanisms were passed down through generations because individuals who possessed them were more likely to succeed in passing on their genes to the next generation. Thus, the traits that are characteristic of human personality are not identical in all people, but rather, are the result of selection pressures that acted on our ancestors.

Question 3

A five-year-old boy is controlled and gentle. He is reluctant to play with new children and hesitates when entering new situations. Temperament researchers would probably identify this child as
A) shy.
B) inhibited.
C) introverted.
D) low in sociability.

Accepted Answer

The child's behavior of being reluctant to play with new children and hesitating in new situations are consistent with characteristics of an inhibited temperament, which is often associated with shyness and withdrawal in social situations. The other options (A, C, and D) do not fully capture the range of behaviors associated with an inhibited temperament.

Question 4

Some researchers identify what they call an "inhibited" style in very young children. This research can be used to argue that
A) a child's personality resembles a "blank slate."
B) all children are born shy, but many learn to overcome it.
C) temperament is at least partly inherited.
D) there are important evolutionary reasons for shyness.

Accepted Answer

The identification of an "inhibited" style in very young children suggests that temperament is at least partly inherited, as it indicates that some children are naturally more shy and cautious than others from a very young age. This challenges the idea that a child's personality resembles a "blank slate" and suggests that there are innate factors that contribute to individual differences in behavior. While it is true that many children learn to overcome shyness as they grow up, this research specifically focuses on early temperament and does not necessarily support the idea that all children are born shy. The connection between shyness and evolutionary reasons is not directly addressed by this research, although some researchers have suggested potential adaptive benefits to being cautious or reserved in certain situations.

Question 5

Research indicates that a child's temperament is related to how well he or she performs in school. Researchers explain this finding with each of the following reasons except one. Which one?
A) Temperament is related to intelligence.
B) Teachers may be more willing to work with students of certain temperament.
C) Some temperaments are more compatible with the requirements of the typical classroom than others.
D) Teachers sometimes misinterpret temperamental differences in their students.

Accepted Answer

While research does indicate that there is a relationship between temperament and academic performance, it is not necessarily due to differences in intelligence. Temperament refers to a child's natural tendencies towards emotional, behavioral, and attentional responses, which can have an impact on how they engage with the learning environment.

Question 6

According to temperament researchers, which statement is correct about inhibited children?
A) They will grow up to be shy adults.
B) They are born with a predisposed tendency for anxiety to novelty.
C) At least half of all American children can be identified as "inhibited."
D) They cannot be identified until about the age of five.

Accepted Answer

Temperament researchers have found that some children are born with a predisposed tendency towards anxiety in response to novel or unfamiliar stimuli. These children are referred to as "inhibited" and may demonstrate characteristics such as shyness or withdrawal in new situations. It is estimated that about 15-20% of children exhibit inhibited temperament.

Question 7

Which of the following is not a basic temperament according to the three-dimensional model of Buss and Plomin?
A) Activity
B) Emotionality
C) Connectivity
D) Sociability

Accepted Answer

The three basic temperaments according to Buss and Plomin's three-dimensional model are activity, emotionality, and sociability. Connectivity is not considered one of the basic temperaments.

Question 8

According to the "goodness of fit" model, educators should ask which question?
A) What temperament characteristics contribute to better school performance?
B) How can we change temperament in problem children?
C) How can we control problem behaviors in children with certain temperaments?
D) What kind of environment and procedures are most conducive to learning for this student, given his or her temperament?

Accepted Answer

The "goodness of fit" model emphasizes the importance of understanding a student's temperament and creating an environment that is compatible with their individual characteristics. Therefore, educators should focus on determining what kind of environment and procedures are most effective for a student based on their temperament, as outlined in choice D. The other options do not align with the key principles of the "goodness of fit" model.

Question 9

Researchers measured children's fear of unfamiliar situations at 21 months and again at four years of age. When the children were brought back to the laboratory at five and a half years, the researchers found
A) that children who were inhibited earlier displayed more risky behavior when playing a ball-tossing game.
B) that children who were inhibited earlier displayed more risky behavior when playing on a mattress in a falling game.
C) that children who were inhibited at 21 months and four years again clung to their mother or father as before.
D) that children who were uninhibited at 21 months and four years began to cling to their mother or father at five and a half years.

Accepted Answer

Children who were inhibited at 21 months and four years continued to show similar inhibited behavior by clinging to their parents at five and a half years, indicating consistency in their behavioral inhibition.

Question 10

Theorists give many arguments for the evolution of anxiety. Each of the following is an argument except one. Which one?
A) Humans need to belong to groups.
B) We all have a need to dominate others.
C) Anxiety is found in nearly every culture of the world.
D) Anxiety assists the survival needs of the species.

Accepted Answer

The argument that "We all have a need to dominate others" does not directly relate to the evolution of anxiety. The other arguments suggest that anxiety may have evolved as a way to help humans survive and thrive in social environments.

Question 11

The form of anxiety shown by inhibited children that comes from their exposure to unfamiliar people, settings, or challenges is called
A) moral anxiety.
B) castration anxiety.
C) anxiety to novelty.
D) neurotic phobia.

Accepted Answer

The form of anxiety shown by inhibited children that comes from their exposure to unfamiliar people, settings, or challenges is called anxiety to novelty. This is a common form of anxiety observed in children who are shy or introverted and feel uncomfortable in new situations or with unfamiliar people.

Question 12

Alison becomes very anxious when she has to give a speech in front of an audience. Advocates of evolutionary personality theory might call Alison's problem an example of anxiety caused by
A) conditioning.
B) an inherited temperament.
C) a fear of social exclusion.
D) a fear of novel situations.

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary personality theory suggests that certain fears, such as the fear of social exclusion, have evolved because they had survival benefits for our ancestors. Being accepted by the group was crucial for survival, so anxiety in social situations like public speaking could be an evolutionary mechanism to ensure we act in ways that maintain social bonds.

Question 13

Research suggests that inhibited children are especially anxious about
A) people.
B) loud noise.
C) novelty.
D) strangers.

Accepted Answer

Inhibited children are particularly anxious about novelty, as they tend to be more cautious and reserved in new or unfamiliar situations.

Question 14

In a review of research it was estimated that ________ children are seven times more likely to suffer from social anxiety disorder.
A) inhibited
B) impulsive
C) uninhibited
D) fearless

Accepted Answer

The review of research estimated that inhibited children are seven times more likely to suffer from social anxiety disorder. The term "inhibited" refers to children who are shy, timid or reserved in social situations. Therefore options B, C, and D are incorrect.

Question 15

Many generations ago, our ancestors were more likely to survive if they lived in groups than if they tried to live by themselves. This argument is used by advocates of evolutionary personality theory to explain
A) fear of strangers.
B) marriage.
C) nationalism.
D) anxiety.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Many generations ago, our ancestors were more...

Question 16

Donna is a very shy seven-year-old. Research suggests that when she was only a few years old, Donna was probably anxious about
A) meeting people.
B) being separated from her mother.
C) loud noises.
D) novel situations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Donna is a very shy seven-year-old. Research...

Question 17

According to the widely accepted temperament model presented in the text, how many general temperaments are there?
A) Three
B) Four
C) Eight
D) Sixteen

Accepted Answer

According to the widely accepted temperament model presented in the text, there are three general temperaments: the easy or flexible temperament, the difficult or feisty temperament, and the slow-to-warm-up or cautious temperament.

Question 18

Some psychologists argue that we should utilize different learning procedures to meet the needs of each student's temperament. This approach is based on which model?
A) Eysenck's model of personality
B) The five-factor model
C) The "goodness of fit" model
D) Evolutionary personality model

Accepted Answer

The "goodness of fit" model suggests that we should match the learning procedures with individual students' personal styles and temperaments to create an optimal learning environment for them. This means that teaching methods should be adapted to fit the unique needs of each student to create a good fit between their individual learning style and their teacher's methods.

Question 19

According to evolutionary personality theory, anxiety is
A) the result of natural selection.
B) a positive emotion.
C) no longer useful to human beings.
D) learned.

Accepted Answer

According to evolutionary personality theory, anxiety is the result of natural selection because it helps individuals detect and avoid potential threats to their survival and reproduction. Therefore, anxiety has been adaptive and beneficial in promoting survival and thus has been selected for through evolution.

Question 20

Research on the academic performance of elementary school children has found
A) temperament is not related to academic performance.
B) children with an "easy" temperament don't do as well in school as other children.
C) students do better when their temperament is similar to that of the teacher.
D) temperament plays a role in how well children do in school.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that temperament plays a role in the academic performance of elementary school children. Children with difficult temperaments may struggle more in school, while those with easier temperaments may do better. However, it is important to note that temperament is just one factor that can influence academic performance, and other factors such as parental involvement, school environment, and learning style also play important roles. There is no evidence to suggest that temperament should match that of the teacher for improved academic performance.

Quiz 9: The Biological Approach: Theory, Application, and Assessment

According to the evolutionary psychology perspective, the process of social exclusion leads to anxiety because

According to evolutionary personality theory, psychological mechanisms

A five-year-old boy is controlled and gentle. He is reluctant to play with new children and hesitates when entering new situations. Temperament researchers would probably identify this child as

Some researchers identify what they call an "inhibited" style in very young children. This research can be used to argue that

Research indicates that a child's temperament is related to how well he or she performs in school. Researchers explain this finding with each of the following reasons except one. Which one?

According to temperament researchers, which statement is correct about inhibited children?

Which of the following is not a basic temperament according to the three-dimensional model of Buss and Plomin?

According to the "goodness of fit" model, educators should ask which question?

Researchers measured children's fear of unfamiliar situations at 21 months and again at four years of age. When the children were brought back to the laboratory at five and a half years, the researchers found

Theorists give many arguments for the evolution of anxiety. Each of the following is an argument except one. Which one?

The form of anxiety shown by inhibited children that comes from their exposure to unfamiliar people, settings, or challenges is called

Alison becomes very anxious when she has to give a speech in front of an audience. Advocates of evolutionary personality theory might call Alison's problem an example of anxiety caused by

Research suggests that inhibited children are especially anxious about

In a review of research it was estimated that ________ children are seven times more likely to suffer from social anxiety disorder.

Many generations ago, our ancestors were more likely to survive if they lived in groups than if they tried to live by themselves. This argument is used by advocates of evolutionary personality theory to explain

Donna is a very shy seven-year-old. Research suggests that when she was only a few years old, Donna was probably anxious about

According to the widely accepted temperament model presented in the text, how many general temperaments are there?

Some psychologists argue that we should utilize different learning procedures to meet the needs of each student's temperament. This approach is based on which model?

According to evolutionary personality theory, anxiety is

Research on the academic performance of elementary school children has found