Evolutionary Principles

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AP Psychology › Evolutionary Principles

Questions 1 - 10
1

Which of the following terms is most commonly associated with the field of evolutionary psychology?

Kin selection

The unconscious

Unconditional positive regard

Biofeedback

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

Explanation

Evolutionary psychology attempts to explain psychological phenomena under the lens of natural selection. "Kin selection" is the evolutionary strategy that favors the reproductive success of one's biological relatives as opposed to strangers. All of the other answer choices are not associated with the field of evolutionary psychology.

2

Which part of the brain helps coordinate movement?

The cerebellum

The frontal lobe

The spinal cord

The focal gyrus

The amygdala

Explanation

The cerebellum, located in the rear of the brainstem, helps coordinate our voluntary movements and helps us maintain balance.

3

What are chromsones made of?

All of these

Genes

Proteins

DNA

Genetic information

Explanation

Chromosomes are complex structures that contain a molecule of DNA and a protein. DNA strands contain genetic information.

4

What is a common factor among human beings?

Use of language

The ability to eat dairy products

Empathy

Sympathy

Nurturing instinct

Explanation

There are many dimensions that make the human species united as well as many that differentiate humans from one another One factor that unites humans is the imperative to use language, a trait that has evolved over time to help us communicate and coexist with one another. Other common factors among humans are biological heritage, brain architecture, and social behavior. The ability to eat dairy products and experience empathy are not common to all people, as some people are lactose intolerant, and some are psychopathic, and largely incapable of empathy and sympathy. While a nurturing instinct is extremely common, it is not considered a universally common human trait.

5

What are the four lobes of the cerebrum?

Frontal, Temporal, Parietal, Occipital

Frontal, Dorsal, Ventral, Parietal

Occipital, Ventral, Frontal, Temporal

Topical, Anterograde, Retrograde, Dorsal

Medial, Lateral, Anterior, Posterior

Explanation

The brain's four lobes are the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, and occipital lobe. Each lobe exists in a distinct part of the cerebral cortex and serves a different primary function. The frontal lobe is located toward the front of the brain, directlly behind the forehead, and is used to process higher level thinking such as conscious thought. The temporal lobe is located toward the outside of the head, behind the temple and ears, and is responsible for auditory processing. The parietal lobe is located superior to (above) the temporal lobe at the top of the head and is primarily responsible for processing motor and sensory functions. The occipital lobe is located at the back of the head and processes visual signals.

6

Which of the following is a core tenet of evolutionary psychology?

Natural selection

Free association

Unconditional positive regard

Genetic modification

Conscious processing

Explanation

Natural selection is the theory that certain traits become more or less common in a population based on its reproductive success in a group of organisms. Evolutionary (sometimes called Darwinian) psychology studies human thought in the context of Darwinian evolution.

7

What structure connects the left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex?

The corpus callosum

Grey matter

The precentral gyrus

The central sulcus

The hypothalmic membrane

Explanation

The corpus callosum is a thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the cerebal cortex. Its main purpose is to facilitate communication between the two hemispheres.

The precentral gyrus and central sulcus are topical features of the brain (a ridge and a groove, respectively) that separate the frontal and parietal lobes.

8

Which of the following best describes the concept of adaptation?

Inherited characteristics that increased in a population because it helped solve a problem of survival when it emerged

Heritable characteristics that provide a survival advantage are more likely than other characteristics to be passed on to subsequent generations

Reproductive success of an individual organism relative to the average reproductive success in the population

Inherited characteristics that decrease the probability of an organism's survival or reproductive success

Explanation

Adaptation is best described as inherited characteristics that increase in a population because it helped to solve a problem of survival when it emerged. Adaptation is a process that occurs through natural selection, which is described as heritable characteristics that provide a survival advantage are more likely than other characteristics to be passed on to subsequent generations. The two concepts are very similar, but an organism's adaptation is the result of the natural selection process. The reproductive success of an individual organism relative to the average reproductive success in the population is best understood as that organism's fitness_._ The remaining option of decreasing the probability of an organism's chance of survival or reproduction is not in line with evolutionary theory, which posits that organisms are becoming increasingly complex and adaptable.

9

Which of the following answer choices does not accurately describe the theory of natural selection?

All of these

Organisms' offspring compete for survival

Certain variations in biological and physical characteristics increase organisms' reproductive and survival chances in their environment

Offspring that survive are more likely to pass on their genes to future generations and offspring

Natural selection can cause a population's characteristics to change over long periods of time

Explanation

Natural selection is a term coined by Charles Darwin that states that the biological and physical traits that lead to an organism's increased survival and reproduction will be the traits that will eventually be passed onto future generations. All of the answer choices accurately describe concepts surrounding the idea of natural selection.

10

According to evolutionary theory, the ability of an octopus to blend into its environment by changing colors is an example of which of the following?

Adaptation

Fitness

Heritability

None of these

Explanation

Adaptation is an inherited characteristic that increased in a population because it helped solve a problem of survival or reproduction during the time it emerged. For an octopus, blending into their environment is a way to increase survival because predators are less likely to notice the octopus.

Fitness also has to do with evolutionary psychology, but it refers to the reproductive success of an organism. Heritability also sounds like it might be a correct answer because the adaptive ability of blending in might be a trait that was inherited; however, heritability has to do with measuring the tendency for a particular trait to be passed down to a future generation.

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