Page 1 of 14
Culture/Nature Exam 2 Questions and Answers
Exam
What are the two primary influences on human social psychology? -
ANSWER>>Culture (nurture) and biology (nature)
What does 'nurture' encompass? - ANSWER>>Culture and environment, including
prenatal nutrition, exposure to drugs, friends, neighborhood, and parenting.
What does 'nature' refer to in the context of human behavior? -
ANSWER>>Biology, including genetics, hormones, neurotransmitters, and brain
structure/activity.
What is the conclusion about human thoughts, feelings, and behaviors? -
ANSWER>>They are almost always the result of both biology and culture.
What research method is commonly used to study the influence of genetics and
environment? - ANSWER>>Twin studies comparing identical twins to fraternal
twins.
What percentage of variance in traits is attributed to genetics according to twin
studies? - ANSWER>>~50% of variance is genetic.
What percentage of variance in traits is attributed to environmental factors? -
ANSWER>>~50% of variance is environmental.
What is epigenetics? - ANSWER>>The study of how the environment can change
gene expression.
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What role do genes play in evolution? - ANSWER>>Genes produce traits that can
be adaptive, promoting survival and reproduction.
What is natural selection? - ANSWER>>The process by which traits that enhance
survival become more common in a population.
What is sexual selection? - ANSWER>>The process by which traits that enhance
reproduction become more common.
What is an example of a trait well-adapted to a specific environment? -
ANSWER>>Thick white fur is well-adapted to arctic environments but not to
tropics.
What psychological adaptation allowed humans to conquer the world? -
ANSWER>>The Social Brain Hypothesis.
What does the Social Brain Hypothesis suggest? - ANSWER>>Humans' best skill is
managing socially-complex groups of non-kin, requiring a complex mind/brain.
What cognitive abilities are necessary for the Social Brain Hypothesis? -
ANSWER>>Remembering relationships, tracking reputations, coordinating
alliances, and navigating hierarchies.
How do genes and environment interact? - ANSWER>>They influence each other,
as shown in epigenetics.
What evolutionary forces depend on the environment? - ANSWER>>Natural and
sexual selection.
What is the significance of a large cortex ratio in humans? - ANSWER>>It enables
the management of large and complex social groups.
Culture/Nature Exam 2 Questions and Answers
Exam
What are the two primary influences on human social psychology? -
ANSWER>>Culture (nurture) and biology (nature)
What does 'nurture' encompass? - ANSWER>>Culture and environment, including
prenatal nutrition, exposure to drugs, friends, neighborhood, and parenting.
What does 'nature' refer to in the context of human behavior? -
ANSWER>>Biology, including genetics, hormones, neurotransmitters, and brain
structure/activity.
What is the conclusion about human thoughts, feelings, and behaviors? -
ANSWER>>They are almost always the result of both biology and culture.
What research method is commonly used to study the influence of genetics and
environment? - ANSWER>>Twin studies comparing identical twins to fraternal
twins.
What percentage of variance in traits is attributed to genetics according to twin
studies? - ANSWER>>~50% of variance is genetic.
What percentage of variance in traits is attributed to environmental factors? -
ANSWER>>~50% of variance is environmental.
What is epigenetics? - ANSWER>>The study of how the environment can change
gene expression.
, Page 2 of 14
What role do genes play in evolution? - ANSWER>>Genes produce traits that can
be adaptive, promoting survival and reproduction.
What is natural selection? - ANSWER>>The process by which traits that enhance
survival become more common in a population.
What is sexual selection? - ANSWER>>The process by which traits that enhance
reproduction become more common.
What is an example of a trait well-adapted to a specific environment? -
ANSWER>>Thick white fur is well-adapted to arctic environments but not to
tropics.
What psychological adaptation allowed humans to conquer the world? -
ANSWER>>The Social Brain Hypothesis.
What does the Social Brain Hypothesis suggest? - ANSWER>>Humans' best skill is
managing socially-complex groups of non-kin, requiring a complex mind/brain.
What cognitive abilities are necessary for the Social Brain Hypothesis? -
ANSWER>>Remembering relationships, tracking reputations, coordinating
alliances, and navigating hierarchies.
How do genes and environment interact? - ANSWER>>They influence each other,
as shown in epigenetics.
What evolutionary forces depend on the environment? - ANSWER>>Natural and
sexual selection.
What is the significance of a large cortex ratio in humans? - ANSWER>>It enables
the management of large and complex social groups.
