Q.1 Who is considered the father of evolutionary theory, which forms the basis for evolutionary psychology?
Sigmund Freud
Charles Darwin
B.F. Skinner
Jean Piaget
Explanation - Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection laid the foundation for understanding human behavior from an evolutionary perspective.
Correct answer is: Charles Darwin
Q.2 Which concept in evolutionary psychology suggests that human behaviors have been shaped to solve problems related to survival and reproduction?
Behaviorism
Natural Selection
Cognitive Dissonance
Operant Conditioning
Explanation - Natural selection explains how traits and behaviors that enhance survival and reproductive success are more likely to be passed on.
Correct answer is: Natural Selection
Q.3 What does the term 'adaptive problem' refer to in evolutionary psychology?
A problem solved in a classroom
A challenge that affects an individual's reproductive success
A mental illness
A social conflict
Explanation - Adaptive problems are challenges that historically influenced survival and reproduction, shaping human cognition and behavior.
Correct answer is: A challenge that affects an individual's reproductive success
Q.4 Which of the following is a key assumption of evolutionary psychology?
Behavior is entirely learned from culture
The mind consists of domain-specific modules evolved to solve particular problems
Humans are blank slates at birth
Behavior cannot be studied scientifically
Explanation - Evolutionary psychology posits that the mind has specialized mechanisms designed to solve specific adaptive problems.
Correct answer is: The mind consists of domain-specific modules evolved to solve particular problems
Q.5 What is 'inclusive fitness' in evolutionary terms?
The number of friends a person has
Reproductive success of an individual plus the impact on relatives' reproduction
Physical fitness measured by gym performance
Ability to adapt to new cultures
Explanation - Inclusive fitness accounts for the survival and reproduction of genes shared with relatives, not just the individual.
Correct answer is: Reproductive success of an individual plus the impact on relatives' reproduction
Q.6 What does the 'Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness' (EEA) refer to?
Modern urban environments
Historical environments in which human psychological traits evolved
Classroom learning contexts
Future technological settings
Explanation - EEA is the set of ecological and social conditions under which human traits evolved to solve adaptive problems.
Correct answer is: Historical environments in which human psychological traits evolved
Q.7 Which behavior is often explained by sexual selection rather than natural selection?
Finding food
Mating displays like peacock feathers
Avoiding predators
Learning language
Explanation - Sexual selection explains traits that increase reproductive success by attracting mates, even if they reduce survival.
Correct answer is: Mating displays like peacock feathers
Q.8 What is an 'evolutionary mismatch'?
A conflict between genes and culture
Traits that were adaptive in the past but are maladaptive in modern environments
A disagreement between scientists
A form of natural disaster
Explanation - Evolutionary mismatches occur when traits evolved under past conditions no longer suit modern environments.
Correct answer is: Traits that were adaptive in the past but are maladaptive in modern environments
Q.9 Which psychologist is best known for applying evolutionary principles to human behavior?
David Buss
Albert Bandura
Jean Piaget
Erik Erikson
Explanation - David Buss is a pioneer in evolutionary psychology, particularly in the study of human mating strategies.
Correct answer is: David Buss
Q.10 Which principle suggests that behaviors that increase reproductive success tend to persist over generations?
Operant Conditioning
Natural Selection
Social Learning
Cognitive Dissonance
Explanation - Natural selection favors behaviors that enhance reproductive success, leading them to persist in populations.
Correct answer is: Natural Selection
Q.11 Which of the following is an example of an evolved psychological mechanism?
Fear of snakes
Learning algebra
Typing skills
Driving a car
Explanation - Fear of snakes is considered an evolved mechanism that helped ancestors avoid dangerous animals.
Correct answer is: Fear of snakes
Q.12 What role does 'parental investment' play in evolutionary psychology?
It explains how much parents care for their children emotionally
It helps predict mating behaviors based on the costs of reproduction
It describes school involvement
It determines IQ
Explanation - Parental investment theory suggests that differences in reproductive costs between sexes influence mating strategies.
Correct answer is: It helps predict mating behaviors based on the costs of reproduction
Q.13 Which is an example of a universal human behavior according to evolutionary psychology?
Wearing hats
Language acquisition
Playing video games
Driving vehicles
Explanation - Language acquisition is considered universal and shaped by evolved cognitive mechanisms.
Correct answer is: Language acquisition
Q.14 Why do evolutionary psychologists study mate preferences?
To understand cultural norms
To examine behaviors that enhance reproductive success
To track fashion trends
To analyze educational attainment
Explanation - Mate preferences are studied as adaptive strategies that historically maximized reproductive success.
Correct answer is: To examine behaviors that enhance reproductive success
Q.15 What does the term 'domain-specific adaptations' refer to?
General learning abilities
Specialized mental mechanisms evolved for specific tasks
Cultural knowledge
Motor skills
Explanation - Domain-specific adaptations are evolved cognitive systems designed to solve particular adaptive problems.
Correct answer is: Specialized mental mechanisms evolved for specific tasks
Q.16 Which of the following best represents a proximate explanation of behavior?
Humans fear snakes due to survival advantage in evolution
Humans fear snakes because they are conditioned to do so
Humans fear snakes due to sexual selection
Humans fear snakes because it increases inclusive fitness
Explanation - Proximate explanations focus on immediate causes, such as learning or physiological mechanisms.
Correct answer is: Humans fear snakes because they are conditioned to do so
Q.17 Which of the following best represents an ultimate explanation of behavior?
Fear of snakes is due to genetic predisposition shaped by ancestral survival challenges
Fear of snakes occurs because of peer pressure
Fear of snakes is learned from movies
Fear of snakes is random
Explanation - Ultimate explanations focus on the evolutionary reasons a behavior exists, relating to survival or reproduction.
Correct answer is: Fear of snakes is due to genetic predisposition shaped by ancestral survival challenges
Q.18 Why are some phobias considered adaptive from an evolutionary perspective?
They increase social status
They reduce engagement in dangerous situations
They improve memory
They enhance cultural learning
Explanation - Phobias like fear of heights or snakes could prevent exposure to life-threatening risks in ancestral environments.
Correct answer is: They reduce engagement in dangerous situations
Q.19 Which of the following is an example of sexual selection in humans?
Parental care
Mate attraction displays
Hunting techniques
Tool-making skills
Explanation - Sexual selection drives traits that improve reproductive success by attracting mates, such as displays of beauty or skill.
Correct answer is: Mate attraction displays
Q.20 What does 'reciprocal altruism' explain?
Helping others only if they can help in return
Caring for close kin exclusively
Avoiding conflicts at all costs
Random acts of kindness
Explanation - Reciprocal altruism is the evolutionary strategy of exchanging favors to increase survival and reproductive chances.
Correct answer is: Helping others only if they can help in return
Q.21 Which research method is most common in evolutionary psychology?
Experimental laboratory studies
Observational studies of behavior across cultures
Clinical case studies
Psychoanalysis
Explanation - Cross-cultural observations help identify universal behaviors that may have evolutionary origins.
Correct answer is: Observational studies of behavior across cultures
Q.22 Which of the following is a criticism often made against evolutionary psychology?
It ignores cultural and social influences
It overemphasizes learning
It does not use scientific methods
It focuses too much on individual differences
Explanation - Critics argue that evolutionary psychology sometimes underestimates the role of culture and learning in shaping behavior.
Correct answer is: It ignores cultural and social influences
Q.23 What is the main focus of evolutionary psychology?
Studying historical events
Understanding behavior in terms of adaptation and natural selection
Analyzing cultural rituals
Exploring unconscious desires
Explanation - Evolutionary psychology seeks to explain human thoughts, emotions, and behaviors as evolved adaptations.
Correct answer is: Understanding behavior in terms of adaptation and natural selection
Q.24 Which of the following is a core principle of evolutionary psychology?
Behavior is a direct result of social norms
Human cognition has evolved to solve recurrent adaptive problems
All behaviors are learned equally
Intelligence is fixed and unchanging
Explanation - Evolutionary psychology emphasizes that mental processes evolved to address problems faced by our ancestors.
Correct answer is: Human cognition has evolved to solve recurrent adaptive problems