HON 210

MINDS, MORALS, AND EVOLUTION

 

 

FIRST EXAM

 

Instructions:  For each section below, you must choose ONE question to answer in an organized, thorough essay.  (Imagine that your audience consists of intelligent non-psychologists/non-biologists.)  In all, you should complete FOUR essays.  Please type your answers (double-spaced, 12 pt. font, standard margins).

 

 

 


DUE Monday, February 9, 2009 

5:00 pm in the Honors office

 

 

 

SECTION I. Darwinian Selection

 

  1. Describe the basic postulates for Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection in your own words. Also be sure to describe the relation between them.  Describe how the Grants’ work in the Galapagos shows how you can actually test the postulates of evolution by natural selection in real time.
  2. For each of the sets below, compare and contrast the terms in the set, being sure the terms are defined and the interrelationships clear in your answer.

 

Kin selection/inclusive fitness/coefficient of relatedness/altruism/Hamilton’s rule/selfish behavior

Intersexual selection/intrasexual selection/sexual selection/natural selection/Bateman’s principle

 

SECTION II. Sex Selection

 

C.     Imagine a species in which male-female encounters are infrequent.  What strategies might a male use if he encounters a receptive female who has recently mated with another male?  Describe conditions that might lead the female to choose to mate with this second male.

D.    Why has the idea of female-female competition been studied so infrequently?  Under what conditions might female-female competition be likely?

 

 

 

SECTION III. Animals and Emotions

 

  1. Consider the New York Times article about feelings of grief in non-humans (link on class website).  If you were studying this emotion, what would be two objective ways to try to study this emotion?  Defend your selections.  The NYT article used anthropomorphism- defend or critique its use, citing clear and defended reasons from our discussion in class or the readings.  Be specific.

 

  1. Were the emotions you saw in the Harry Harlow videos true emotions? Primary? Social? Why or why not?  Defend your answer with specific examples and reasons from the readings/videos.

 

 

SECTION IV. Evolutionary Psychology

 

  1. According to Robert Wright, evolutionary psychology is a challenge to “the idea that biology doesn’t much matter…that there is no inherent human nature” (p. 5).  A) In your own words, explain Wright’s claim.  B) But if Wright (and evolutionary psychologists) are correct, doesn’t this mean that a person’s environment makes no difference to her psychology?  Explain.  C) How do evolutionary psychologists account for the differences among people?

 

  1. A) In your own words, explain what David Buss means by an “evolved psychological mechanism.”  B) Use the example of language—or choose your own example—to demonstrate the nature of these mechanisms.

 

 

Honor Code Pledge:  I understand that this is a “take home” test.  This means I can use my own HON 210 notes, the online powerpoints, and the assigned readings.  I understand I may not communicate with another person (in or out of class) about any aspect of this test or my answers--- either verbally, in writing, or electronically.  Further, while I can use the class readings, my own notes, and the class powerpoints, I understand that my answers must be in my own words. 

 

Signed:  __________________________________  Name _______________________