,PSYC 341 Quiz 7 | Psychology of Personality (2026) Q&A
| Liberty University
1. Which of the following best describes the core assumption of evolutionary psychology
regarding human motivation, emotion, and personality?
A) They are learned through environmental reinforcement
B) They are adaptive and solve problems of survival and reproduction
C) They are primarily determined by unconscious conflicts
D) They are shaped by cultural and social forces alone
Correct Answer: They are adaptive and solve problems of survival and reproduction
Rationale: Evolutionary psychology assumes that motivation, emotion, and personality
are adaptive in that they evolved to solve problems of survival and reproduction. Buss
(1991) starts with this assumption, arguing that psychological mechanisms are internal
and specific cognitive, motivational, and personality systems designed to solve specific
survival and reproduction problems. The other options describe other theoretical
perspectives.
2. What is the term for a change in gene function that does not involve changes in DNA
sequence?
A) Mutation
B) Epigenetics
C) Natural selection
D) Genetic drift
Correct Answer: Epigenetics
,Rationale: Epigenetics refers to changes in gene function that do not involve changes in
the DNA sequence. These changes can be influenced by environmental factors and can
affect how genes are expressed. Mutations involve changes in DNA sequence, natural
selection is the process by which adaptive traits become more common, and genetic drift
refers to random changes in allele frequency.
3. Which theorist laid the foundation for the modern theory of evolution?
A) Gregor Mendel
B) Charles Darwin
C) E.O. Wilson
D) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
Correct Answer: Charles Darwin
Rationale: Charles Darwin laid the foundation for the modern theory of evolution
through his work on natural selection. He proposed that species evolve over time through
the differential survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits. Mendel
contributed to genetics, Wilson coined sociobiology, and Lamarck proposed an incorrect
theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics.
4. What did E.O. Wilson call his movement to merge the biological and social sciences?
A) Evolutionary psychology
B) Sociobiology
C) Behavioral genetics
D) Ethology
Correct Answer: Sociobiology
, Rationale: E.O. Wilson argued for a merger of the biological and social sciences and
dubbed his movement sociobiology. He proposed that social behavior has a biological basis
and can be understood through evolutionary principles. Evolutionary psychology is a
related but distinct field that emerged later.
5. According to Buss, what are the two fundamental problems of adaptation that all life
forms confront?
A) Survival and reproduction
B) Growth and development
C) Learning and memory
D) Emotion and motivation
Correct Answer: Survival and reproduction
Rationale: Ever since Charles Darwin, it has been clear that all life forms are confronted
with two fundamental problems of adaptation: survival and reproduction. Evolutionary
psychology assumes that motivation, emotion, and personality are adaptive in that they
solve these two problems. These are the ultimate challenges that shape evolutionary
processes.
6. Which of the following is NOT one of the distinct outcomes of the evolutionary process of
natural selection, sexual selection, and chance?
A) Adaptations
B) By-products
C) Noise
D) Mutations
Correct Answer: Mutations
| Liberty University
1. Which of the following best describes the core assumption of evolutionary psychology
regarding human motivation, emotion, and personality?
A) They are learned through environmental reinforcement
B) They are adaptive and solve problems of survival and reproduction
C) They are primarily determined by unconscious conflicts
D) They are shaped by cultural and social forces alone
Correct Answer: They are adaptive and solve problems of survival and reproduction
Rationale: Evolutionary psychology assumes that motivation, emotion, and personality
are adaptive in that they evolved to solve problems of survival and reproduction. Buss
(1991) starts with this assumption, arguing that psychological mechanisms are internal
and specific cognitive, motivational, and personality systems designed to solve specific
survival and reproduction problems. The other options describe other theoretical
perspectives.
2. What is the term for a change in gene function that does not involve changes in DNA
sequence?
A) Mutation
B) Epigenetics
C) Natural selection
D) Genetic drift
Correct Answer: Epigenetics
,Rationale: Epigenetics refers to changes in gene function that do not involve changes in
the DNA sequence. These changes can be influenced by environmental factors and can
affect how genes are expressed. Mutations involve changes in DNA sequence, natural
selection is the process by which adaptive traits become more common, and genetic drift
refers to random changes in allele frequency.
3. Which theorist laid the foundation for the modern theory of evolution?
A) Gregor Mendel
B) Charles Darwin
C) E.O. Wilson
D) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
Correct Answer: Charles Darwin
Rationale: Charles Darwin laid the foundation for the modern theory of evolution
through his work on natural selection. He proposed that species evolve over time through
the differential survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits. Mendel
contributed to genetics, Wilson coined sociobiology, and Lamarck proposed an incorrect
theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics.
4. What did E.O. Wilson call his movement to merge the biological and social sciences?
A) Evolutionary psychology
B) Sociobiology
C) Behavioral genetics
D) Ethology
Correct Answer: Sociobiology
, Rationale: E.O. Wilson argued for a merger of the biological and social sciences and
dubbed his movement sociobiology. He proposed that social behavior has a biological basis
and can be understood through evolutionary principles. Evolutionary psychology is a
related but distinct field that emerged later.
5. According to Buss, what are the two fundamental problems of adaptation that all life
forms confront?
A) Survival and reproduction
B) Growth and development
C) Learning and memory
D) Emotion and motivation
Correct Answer: Survival and reproduction
Rationale: Ever since Charles Darwin, it has been clear that all life forms are confronted
with two fundamental problems of adaptation: survival and reproduction. Evolutionary
psychology assumes that motivation, emotion, and personality are adaptive in that they
solve these two problems. These are the ultimate challenges that shape evolutionary
processes.
6. Which of the following is NOT one of the distinct outcomes of the evolutionary process of
natural selection, sexual selection, and chance?
A) Adaptations
B) By-products
C) Noise
D) Mutations
Correct Answer: Mutations
