PSYC 140 - MODULE 2 EXAM Developmental
Psychology: Gene-Environment Interactions
Questions with Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales 2026/2027 Edition
SECTION 1: GENOTYPE-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS
(Questions 1–30)
Question 1: Zeke's father is a volleyball coach and Zeke grew up wanting to play
volleyball. In fifth grade, he asked his father to show him how to play and teach
him basic skills. By the time he reaches junior high, he's skilled enough to make
the varsity volleyball team. What type of genotype-environment interaction best
explains Zeke's sports success?
• A) Passive
• B) Evocative
• C) Active
• D) Epigenetic
Answer: C
Rationale: Zeke's case demonstrates an active genotype-environment interaction
(niche-picking). He actively sought out an environment that matched his genetic
predispositions (interest in volleyball). He asked his father to teach him and
pursued opportunities to develop his skills.
Question 2: Jillian's mother is a librarian and her father is a high school English
teacher. When Jillian began elementary school, her teacher found her reading
fourth-grade level books in the school library. The teacher then encouraged Jillian
to read high quality fiction books. By high school, Jillian is one of her school's top
English students. What type of genotype-environment interaction best explains
Jillian's academic success?
, • A) Passive
• B) Evocative
• C) Active
• D) Epigenetic
Answer: B
Rationale: Jillian's case demonstrates an evocative genotype-environment
interaction. Her genetic predisposition for reading and language skills evoked a
response from her environment (the teacher's encouragement and provision of
high-quality books). Her innate abilities elicited a reaction from others.
Question 3: A child with a genetic predisposition for being outgoing and social
receives more social stimulation because others respond positively to their friendly
behavior. This is an example of:
• A) Passive genotype-environment interaction
• B) Evocative genotype-environment interaction
• C) Active genotype-environment interaction
• D) Epigenetic inheritance
Answer: B
Rationale: This is an evocative genotype-environment interaction. The child's
genetic predisposition for being social evokes responses from others (positive
social stimulation). The environment reacts to the child's genetically influenced
behavior.
Question 4: A child who has a genetic predisposition for music seeks out music
lessons, joins the school band, and spends time practicing an instrument. This is an
example of:
• A) Passive genotype-environment interaction
• B) Evocative genotype-environment interaction
• C) Active genotype-environment interaction
, • D) Epigenetic inheritance
Answer: C
Rationale: This is an active genotype-environment interaction (niche-picking).
The child actively seeks out environments that match their genetic predispositions
(music interest and ability).
Question 5: A child who is genetically predisposed to be athletic has parents who
are both athletes. They provide sports equipment and take the child to games. This
is an example of:
• A) Passive genotype-environment interaction
• B) Evocative genotype-environment interaction
• C) Passive genotype-environment interaction
• D) Active genotype-environment interaction
Answer: C
Rationale: This is a passive genotype-environment interaction. The child receives
an environment (sports equipment, exposure to games) that is correlated with their
genetic predispositions because the parents both provide and share the genetic
predispositions.
Question 6: The concept of gene-environment correlation (rGE) refers to:
• A) Genes completely determining behavior
• B) The idea that genes influence the environments individuals are
exposed to
• C) The environment completely determining behavior
• D) Genes and environment being independent
Answer: B
Rationale: Gene-environment correlation (rGE) refers to the idea that genes
influence the environments individuals are exposed to. This occurs through
passive, evocative, and active mechanisms.
, Question 7: Which of the following is NOT a type of genotype-environment
interaction?
• A) Passive
• B) Evocative
• C) Recessive
• D) Active
Answer: C
Rationale: Recessive is a type of genetic inheritance pattern, not a type of
genotype-environment interaction. The three types of genotype-environment
interactions are passive, evocative, and active.
Question 8: A child who is genetically predisposed to be shy and introverted
receives less social stimulation because others respond less to their quiet behavior.
This is an example of:
• A) Passive genotype-environment interaction
• B) Evocative genotype-environment interaction
• C) Active genotype-environment interaction
• D) Epigenetic inheritance
Answer: B
Rationale: This is an evocative genotype-environment interaction. The child's
genetic predisposition for shyness evokes less social stimulation from others. The
environment reacts to the child's genetically influenced behavior.
Question 9: The concept of "niche-picking" is most closely associated with which
type of genotype-environment interaction?
• A) Passive
• B) Evocative
Psychology: Gene-Environment Interactions
Questions with Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales 2026/2027 Edition
SECTION 1: GENOTYPE-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS
(Questions 1–30)
Question 1: Zeke's father is a volleyball coach and Zeke grew up wanting to play
volleyball. In fifth grade, he asked his father to show him how to play and teach
him basic skills. By the time he reaches junior high, he's skilled enough to make
the varsity volleyball team. What type of genotype-environment interaction best
explains Zeke's sports success?
• A) Passive
• B) Evocative
• C) Active
• D) Epigenetic
Answer: C
Rationale: Zeke's case demonstrates an active genotype-environment interaction
(niche-picking). He actively sought out an environment that matched his genetic
predispositions (interest in volleyball). He asked his father to teach him and
pursued opportunities to develop his skills.
Question 2: Jillian's mother is a librarian and her father is a high school English
teacher. When Jillian began elementary school, her teacher found her reading
fourth-grade level books in the school library. The teacher then encouraged Jillian
to read high quality fiction books. By high school, Jillian is one of her school's top
English students. What type of genotype-environment interaction best explains
Jillian's academic success?
, • A) Passive
• B) Evocative
• C) Active
• D) Epigenetic
Answer: B
Rationale: Jillian's case demonstrates an evocative genotype-environment
interaction. Her genetic predisposition for reading and language skills evoked a
response from her environment (the teacher's encouragement and provision of
high-quality books). Her innate abilities elicited a reaction from others.
Question 3: A child with a genetic predisposition for being outgoing and social
receives more social stimulation because others respond positively to their friendly
behavior. This is an example of:
• A) Passive genotype-environment interaction
• B) Evocative genotype-environment interaction
• C) Active genotype-environment interaction
• D) Epigenetic inheritance
Answer: B
Rationale: This is an evocative genotype-environment interaction. The child's
genetic predisposition for being social evokes responses from others (positive
social stimulation). The environment reacts to the child's genetically influenced
behavior.
Question 4: A child who has a genetic predisposition for music seeks out music
lessons, joins the school band, and spends time practicing an instrument. This is an
example of:
• A) Passive genotype-environment interaction
• B) Evocative genotype-environment interaction
• C) Active genotype-environment interaction
, • D) Epigenetic inheritance
Answer: C
Rationale: This is an active genotype-environment interaction (niche-picking).
The child actively seeks out environments that match their genetic predispositions
(music interest and ability).
Question 5: A child who is genetically predisposed to be athletic has parents who
are both athletes. They provide sports equipment and take the child to games. This
is an example of:
• A) Passive genotype-environment interaction
• B) Evocative genotype-environment interaction
• C) Passive genotype-environment interaction
• D) Active genotype-environment interaction
Answer: C
Rationale: This is a passive genotype-environment interaction. The child receives
an environment (sports equipment, exposure to games) that is correlated with their
genetic predispositions because the parents both provide and share the genetic
predispositions.
Question 6: The concept of gene-environment correlation (rGE) refers to:
• A) Genes completely determining behavior
• B) The idea that genes influence the environments individuals are
exposed to
• C) The environment completely determining behavior
• D) Genes and environment being independent
Answer: B
Rationale: Gene-environment correlation (rGE) refers to the idea that genes
influence the environments individuals are exposed to. This occurs through
passive, evocative, and active mechanisms.
, Question 7: Which of the following is NOT a type of genotype-environment
interaction?
• A) Passive
• B) Evocative
• C) Recessive
• D) Active
Answer: C
Rationale: Recessive is a type of genetic inheritance pattern, not a type of
genotype-environment interaction. The three types of genotype-environment
interactions are passive, evocative, and active.
Question 8: A child who is genetically predisposed to be shy and introverted
receives less social stimulation because others respond less to their quiet behavior.
This is an example of:
• A) Passive genotype-environment interaction
• B) Evocative genotype-environment interaction
• C) Active genotype-environment interaction
• D) Epigenetic inheritance
Answer: B
Rationale: This is an evocative genotype-environment interaction. The child's
genetic predisposition for shyness evokes less social stimulation from others. The
environment reacts to the child's genetically influenced behavior.
Question 9: The concept of "niche-picking" is most closely associated with which
type of genotype-environment interaction?
• A) Passive
• B) Evocative
