PART I: MULTIPLE CHOICE (Q1–Q30)
1. What is the primary focus of evolutionary psychology?
A) The study of how evolution has shaped human psychological mechanisms
B) The study of how culture shapes behavior
C) The study of how learning shapes behavior
D) The study of how genetics determines behavior
ANS: A
Rationale: Evolutionary psychology studies how evolution has shaped human psychological mechanisms.
2. What is natural selection?
A) The process by which traits that enhance survival and reproduction become more common in a
population
B) The process by which traits are randomly inherited
C) The process by which traits are learned
D) The process by which traits are culturally transmitted
ANS: A
Rationale: Natural selection is the process by which traits that enhance survival and reproduction
become more common in a population.
3. Who is credited with developing the theory of natural selection?
A) Charles Darwin
B) Gregor Mendel
C) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
D) William James
ANS: A
Rationale: Charles Darwin is credited with developing the theory of natural selection.
4. What was Darwin's major contribution to science?
A) The theory of evolution by natural selection
B) The theory of inheritance
C) The theory of relativity
D) The theory of psychoanalysis
ANS: A
Rationale: Darwin's major contribution was the theory of evolution by natural selection.
5. What is the theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics?
A) The idea that traits acquired during an organism's lifetime can be passed to offspring
B) The idea that traits are inherited from parents
C) The idea that traits are randomly inherited
D) The idea that traits are culturally transmitted
ANS: A
Rationale: The theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics is the idea that traits acquired during an
organism's lifetime can be passed to offspring.
,6. Who developed the theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics?
A) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
B) Charles Darwin
C) Gregor Mendel
D) William James
ANS: A
Rationale: Jean-Baptiste Lamarck developed the theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics.
7. What is the modern synthesis?
A) The integration of Darwin's theory of natural selection with Mendelian genetics
B) The integration of Darwin's theory with Lamarck's theory
C) The integration of Darwin's theory with psychoanalysis
D) The integration of Darwin's theory with behaviorism
ANS: A
Rationale: The modern synthesis is the integration of Darwin's theory of natural selection with
Mendelian genetics.
8. What is Mendelian genetics?
A) The study of how traits are inherited according to Mendel's laws
B) The study of how traits are learned
C) The study of how traits are culturally transmitted
D) The study of how traits are randomly inherited
ANS: A
Rationale: Mendelian genetics is the study of how traits are inherited according to Mendel's laws.
9. Who is credited with developing the laws of inheritance?
A) Gregor Mendel
B) Charles Darwin
C) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
D) William James
ANS: A
Rationale: Gregor Mendel is credited with developing the laws of inheritance.
10. What is an allele?
A) One of two or more alternative forms of a gene
B) A segment of DNA that codes for a protein
C) A protein that codes for DNA
D) A lipid that codes for a protein
ANS: A
Rationale: An allele is one of two or more alternative forms of a gene.
11. What is a gene?
A) A segment of DNA that codes for a protein
B) A segment of RNA that codes for a protein
C) A protein that codes for DNA
D) A lipid that codes for a protein
, ANS: A
Rationale: A gene is a segment of DNA that codes for a protein.
12. What is a genotype?
A) The genetic makeup of an organism
B) The physical appearance of an organism
C) The study of cells
D) The study of tissues
ANS: A
Rationale: A genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism.
13. What is a phenotype?
A) The physical appearance of an organism
B) The genetic makeup of an organism
C) The study of cells
D) The study of tissues
ANS: A
Rationale: A phenotype is the physical appearance of an organism.
14. What is a mutation?
A) A change in the DNA sequence
B) A change in the RNA sequence
C) A change in the protein sequence
D) A change in the cell membrane
ANS: A
Rationale: A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence.
15. What is sexual selection?
A) The process by which traits that enhance mating success become more common in a population
B) The process by which traits that enhance survival become more common in a population
C) The process by which traits are randomly inherited
D) The process by which traits are learned
ANS: A
Rationale: Sexual selection is the process by which traits that enhance mating success become more
common in a population.
16. What is intrasexual competition?
A) Competition between members of the same sex for mates
B) Competition between members of different sexes for mates
C) Competition between species for resources
D) Competition between individuals for survival
ANS: A
Rationale: Intrasexual competition is competition between members of the same sex for mates.
17. What is intersexual selection?
A) Mate choice by members of one sex for members of the other sex
B) Competition between members of the same sex for mates