Term
| Describe (with examples) the key features of mammals that distinguish them from earlier life forms. |
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Definition
•Warm bloodedness: allowing a wide range of habitable climates,
•Heterodentism: teeth suitable for a general, rather than specific diet,
•greater intellect: better at discerning relationships than previous animals, making it possible for a single organism to learn strategies for new or unique situations, which is very rare outside mammalia.
•Unique reproductive/parental strategy: focusing on fewer young, which are cared for and nursed until fully developed. These all serve to enable
1.More complex brain development before being on their own.
2.A period where young can copy some behaviors of the parent |
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Term
| Describe the new adaptations that primates possessed that most other mammals did not and provide likely reasons for those adaptations, and describe why fruit eating likely led to an expansion in brain size. |
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Definition
•Locomotor adaptations
1.Long arms, grasping hands and feet, nails rather than claws
2.Motor cortex expansion for delicate motor control
•Vision changes
1. Larger eyes (combat darkness in canopy)
2.forward-facing eyes (stereovision)
2. Color vision (finding fruit)
3. Visual areas of the brain expand
•Olfactory Changes
1. Snout recedes (smelly things are on the ground)
2. Brain real-estate devoted to olfactory sense diminishes
•Troupes (year-round)
1. Allows reciprocal altruism to develop
2. Thought to have led to modules (ex: ffa) aimed at recognizing specific members of the troupe
*Brain expansion
1.mapping location and optimal season for ripe fruit
2.fruit is easy to digest, allowing resource diversion to the brain
3.color-vision centers develop to find & determine ripeness of fruit. |
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Term
| What is the theory of Machiavellian intelligence? What is the evidence in favor of this theory? |
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Definition
1.Predictable relationship between neocortex size and size of a troupe of primates.
2.Bats species which live in persistent colonies have much larger neocortices than species who live in no group, or are transient between unstable groups.
3.Carnivores living in stable prides show the same relationship as do primates
4.The data common to primates, carnivores and humans predict a groups size of 150 for humans based on the size of our neocortex – which seems to be the ideal size for groups in which every member knows every other. |
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Term
| Describe the evolutionary approach to psychology and then describe the Standard Social Science Model approach. Then, take a psychological phenomenon that interests you and provide an example of an Evolutionary explanation for the phenomenon and Standard Social Sciences explanation for the phenomenon so the reader can understand the differences. |
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Definition
--SSSM: Assumes brain is general learning device, stressing social and environmental impacts. Presumes virtually no genetic component to determining behavior.
--EP approach: presumes brain Massively modular, with modules present in humans having developed in evolutionary history to problems associated with recurring significant stimuli. Assumes STRONG genetic component to human behavior. EP does not dispute general learning
--Snake reverence/aversion
SSSM: would suggest a persistent mythos passed from generation to generation about snakes. Fear is learned most often (either first or second-hand )because snakes are dangerous.
EP: would suggest modules keyed to activate upon the unique kinds of stimuli a serpent elicits. The prominent fear of snakes is most likely because modules activating in the presence of snakes are also associated with modules for aversion. Snake reverence can be accepted because EP does not dispute the existence of general learning. |
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Term
| Discuss the evidence suggesting when language evolved in hominids, and also discuss why most researchers do not think language evolved for communicating information important for food acquisition. |
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Definition
1. Anatomical changes
a. Spinal cord expansion in H.Ergaster (500kya
b. Hypoglossal canal enlargement 500kya
c. Larynx shift down (vowel sounds) 400kya.
2. Food production not primary language driver
a. demonstration easier than description
b. language is mostly social in topic
c. hunting is best silent |
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Term
| Explain the gossip as grooming theory for why humans evolved language. What is the evidence for the theory and what are some of the problems? |
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Definition
1. GAG Theory - Time and energy saving device
2. Evidence for:
a. Chimps(#50) 20% day grooming
b. humans (#150) 60%?= untenable
i.humans converse in fours
ii.social multitasking saves time
c. 2/3 of speech is about social topics (gossip)
3. Evidence against
a.humans have vocabularies exceeding requirements of gossip. Not driving force?
b.No incentive to be the speaker. Who would start? |
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Term
| Explain the Scheherazade theory for why humans evolved language. What is the evidence for the theory and what are some of the problems? |
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Definition
1. Scheherazade theory - courting display/sexual selection.
2. Evidence for
a.male self-centeredness
b.male preference for intellectual topic
c.male +vocab size//female +comprehension
d.male +(p)author// female +(p)reader
e.male -speech post mate// female unhappy
3. Unanswered questions
a. most conversation is gossip
b. disappearance of social grooming |
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Term
| Explain Diamond’s theory and Baker’s theory for how homosexual behavior evolved (using examples when possible). Assess the evidence for each theory. |
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Definition
1. Diamond: homosexuality = +family caregiver
a. Problems
i.resource expenditure
ii.homosexuality should be more common if true
2. Baker: homosexuality = bisexuality = +sexual experience = +mates
a. +bisexual behavior in population where gay STDs are less prevalent (not compelling evidence) |
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Term
| What advantages does asexual reproduction have over sexual reproduction? Explain the parasite hypothesis (using examples) |
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Definition
1. Asexual reproduction: advantages
a. No risk of STD
b. No mate requirement
c. 100% gene replication (vs 50%). Wildly attractive incentive.
2. Parasite hypothesis: sex reproduction enhances survivability, as offspring are genetically different. Parasites adapted to exploit parents may not be so adapted to exploit the offspring. |
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