PSY4409 Module 2 Exam Questions With 100%
Correct Answers
What is evolutionary psychology? - ANSWER A branch of psychology that applies
evolutionary theories and principles towards understanding the human mind.
What does evolutionary psychology specifically argue? - ANSWER That the human mind
is influenced by pressure to survive and reproduce.
What does Dr Buss say about jealousy? - ANSWER Different in males and females
because of different threats.
What does Dr Buss say about attraction? - ANSWER That males have sexual
over-perception bias- the tendency to think females are more sexually attracted to you
than they actually are.
How does evolutionary psychology understand gay people? - ANSWER Theoretically as
they do not reproduce they would not pas on their genes??? This is referred to as the
Darwinian paradox.
According to Dr Buss are murders and mating related? - ANSWER Yes, one may murder
to eliminate rivals to reproduce.
What does Dr Buss say about murdering and men? - ANSWER That it is mostly men
murdering men.
How does Dr Buss perform his studies? - ANSWER Lab studies
Questionnaires
Palearcheological evidence
Molecular genetics
What are the traits that enhance our physical survival explained by? - ANSWER Natural
selection.
What are the traits that enhance our reproductive success explained by? - ANSWER
Sexual selection.
What is natural selection? - ANSWER Argues that those who are better adapted to their
environments are more likely to survive and reproduce.
What is sexual selection? - ANSWER The evolution of traits or characteristics that
indirectly help our survival because they help to attract a mate and reproduce.
, What is intrasexual competition? - ANSWER When individuals compete with members of
their own sex to attract the opposite sex.
What is intersexual competition? - ANSWER When individuals of one sex attempt to
impress members of the opposite sex.
What is an example of traits developed for intrasexual competition? - ANSWER
Aggression, greater musculature
What is an example of traits developed for intersexual competition? - ANSWER Fertility
and health
What are criticisms of evolutionary psychology? Part 1 - ANSWER It is deterministic- our
actions, thoughts and behaviours are all determined by our genes therefore cannot be
changed or influenced by external forces.
What is a criticism on behalf of evolutionary psychologists on the criticism of being too
deterministic? - ANSWER That evolutionary psychology does not propose genes are
causes of behaviours, more so that they act as predispositions to behaviour.
What are criticisms of evolutionary psychology? Part 2 - ANSWER It is politically
incorrect or insensitive.
What did Thornhill and Palmer do? - ANSWER Applied evolutionary psychology to rape
suggesting it may be an adaptive strategy.
What did feminists recall about the literature of Thornhill and Palmer? - ANSWER That is
absolved men being responsible for rape and sexual crimes.
How did Duntley and Buss defend their work on stalking? - ANSWER That evolutionary
psychology does not excuse the behaviour, it explains it and the explanations may be
essential for developing interventions.
What are criticisms of evolutionary psychology? Part 3 - ANSWER It is outdated- how
can we account for the increasing amount of people who are choosing to be childless?
What are criticism of evolutionary psychology? Part 4 - ANSWER Testability- hypothesis
nearly impossible to develop therefore test.
According to Buss, what do both men and women find attractive in other partners? -
ANSWER Intelligent, kind, understanding, healthy, similar personalities, attitudes and
religious beliefs
According to evolutionary psychology, what makes females attractive to men? -
ANSWER Given that females have limited time to reproduce, a females most fertile
phase is when she is young. Therefore males are attracted to more youthful looking
features such as healthy hair and skin and more estrogen-based features such as large
eyes, plump lips and smooth skim.
Correct Answers
What is evolutionary psychology? - ANSWER A branch of psychology that applies
evolutionary theories and principles towards understanding the human mind.
What does evolutionary psychology specifically argue? - ANSWER That the human mind
is influenced by pressure to survive and reproduce.
What does Dr Buss say about jealousy? - ANSWER Different in males and females
because of different threats.
What does Dr Buss say about attraction? - ANSWER That males have sexual
over-perception bias- the tendency to think females are more sexually attracted to you
than they actually are.
How does evolutionary psychology understand gay people? - ANSWER Theoretically as
they do not reproduce they would not pas on their genes??? This is referred to as the
Darwinian paradox.
According to Dr Buss are murders and mating related? - ANSWER Yes, one may murder
to eliminate rivals to reproduce.
What does Dr Buss say about murdering and men? - ANSWER That it is mostly men
murdering men.
How does Dr Buss perform his studies? - ANSWER Lab studies
Questionnaires
Palearcheological evidence
Molecular genetics
What are the traits that enhance our physical survival explained by? - ANSWER Natural
selection.
What are the traits that enhance our reproductive success explained by? - ANSWER
Sexual selection.
What is natural selection? - ANSWER Argues that those who are better adapted to their
environments are more likely to survive and reproduce.
What is sexual selection? - ANSWER The evolution of traits or characteristics that
indirectly help our survival because they help to attract a mate and reproduce.
, What is intrasexual competition? - ANSWER When individuals compete with members of
their own sex to attract the opposite sex.
What is intersexual competition? - ANSWER When individuals of one sex attempt to
impress members of the opposite sex.
What is an example of traits developed for intrasexual competition? - ANSWER
Aggression, greater musculature
What is an example of traits developed for intersexual competition? - ANSWER Fertility
and health
What are criticisms of evolutionary psychology? Part 1 - ANSWER It is deterministic- our
actions, thoughts and behaviours are all determined by our genes therefore cannot be
changed or influenced by external forces.
What is a criticism on behalf of evolutionary psychologists on the criticism of being too
deterministic? - ANSWER That evolutionary psychology does not propose genes are
causes of behaviours, more so that they act as predispositions to behaviour.
What are criticisms of evolutionary psychology? Part 2 - ANSWER It is politically
incorrect or insensitive.
What did Thornhill and Palmer do? - ANSWER Applied evolutionary psychology to rape
suggesting it may be an adaptive strategy.
What did feminists recall about the literature of Thornhill and Palmer? - ANSWER That is
absolved men being responsible for rape and sexual crimes.
How did Duntley and Buss defend their work on stalking? - ANSWER That evolutionary
psychology does not excuse the behaviour, it explains it and the explanations may be
essential for developing interventions.
What are criticisms of evolutionary psychology? Part 3 - ANSWER It is outdated- how
can we account for the increasing amount of people who are choosing to be childless?
What are criticism of evolutionary psychology? Part 4 - ANSWER Testability- hypothesis
nearly impossible to develop therefore test.
According to Buss, what do both men and women find attractive in other partners? -
ANSWER Intelligent, kind, understanding, healthy, similar personalities, attitudes and
religious beliefs
According to evolutionary psychology, what makes females attractive to men? -
ANSWER Given that females have limited time to reproduce, a females most fertile
phase is when she is young. Therefore males are attracted to more youthful looking
features such as healthy hair and skin and more estrogen-based features such as large
eyes, plump lips and smooth skim.
