PSYC 387 Final Prep Athabasca University
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(Actual Exam 2026-2027) Correct Detailed &
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What are mutations? - ANSWERS-Abrupt changes in genes.
What can cause a mutation? - ANSWERS-Can be caused by exposure to radiation and
certain chemicals and perhaps by viral infections.
In what case will mutation be passed on to the next generation? - ANSWERS-when
mutations occur in genes of reproductive cells (sperm or ova)
Can mutations occur in any cell of the body? - ANSWERS-yes
Will offspring with mutated genes necessarily display the mutation? - ANSWERS-no
Are mutations always detrimental to survival? - ANSWERS-Many of these changes are
simply of no consequence, one way or the other Occasionally can be useful to survival.
(new horn mutation useful for defense)
What is a reflex? - ANSWERS-A reflex is a relationship between a specific event and a
simple response to that event. A reflex is a relationship between certain kinds of events.
Give an example of a reflex. - ANSWERS-Food in the mouth elicits the salivary reflex,
the flow of saliva that begins the process of digestion.
,What is reflex failure? When can it occur? - ANSWERS-Reflex failure is when a reflex
fails to function properly.
This can happen as a result of:
-allergic reaction to medication
-injury or disease.
-excessive alcohol or other drugs that depress the central nervous system.
Reflexes are highly ___________ - ANSWERS-stereotypic
that is, they are remarkably consistent in form, frequency, strength, and time of
appearance during development.
What is sensitization? Give an example. - ANSWERS-Eliciting a reflex response can
increase the intensity or probability of the response to stimuli.
Hearing a loud noise that makes you jump can make you more sensitive to noises that
arent as loud.
What happened when Kelly Powell and Stephen Holtzman (2001) gave rats morphine
for one to four days and then tested their reaction to the drug after a period of
abstinence? - ANSWERS-The rats showed an increased response to morphine (i.e.,
sensitization) for up to three months after their last dose.
What is habituation? Give an example. - ANSWERS-Repeatedly evoking a given reflex
response will result in a reduction in the intensity or probability of the response.
Cats slowly become used to a loud noise when exposed to it multiple times.
,Define a FAP. Give an example. - ANSWERS-A series of interrelated acts found in all or
nearly all members of a species.When confronted by a threatening dog, the house cat
arches its back, hisses, growls, and flicks its tail. These acts make the cat appear larger
and more formidable than it really is and may therefore serve to put off an attacker.
What were FAP called in the past? - ANSWERS-Instincts
What is a releaser? - ANSWERS-An event that triggers a fixed action pattern.red is a
releaser for the stickleback fish.
What did Wilson claim were humans FAP? - ANSWERS-Biophelia and aversion to
incest
Define a general behavior trait. - ANSWERS-Include activity level, aggression,
introversion, anxiety, hoarding (of food, for example), and sexual practices, among
others. Some behavior traits are strongly influenced by genes.
How do FAPs and behavior traits differ? - ANSWERS-FAP are elicited by fairly specific
events (releasers). Behavior traits occur in a wide variety of situations.
Do behavior traits have a genetic influence? - ANSWERS-yes even though they are
more variable. Dog like traits in foxes were bred through a number of generations.
Who originally said that change is the only constant? - ANSWERS-Roman philosopher
Lucretius 2,000 years ago
When was Darwins Origin of Species written? - ANSWERS-1859
Describe Darwin's theory of natural selection. - ANSWERS-There is, he argued,
tremendous variation among the members of any given species.
, Some of these variations are well suited to current conditions; others are not. Individuals
with favorable variations are more likely to survive and reproduce, so succeeding
generations are more likely to show helpful characteristics. Thus, features that
contribute to survival are "selected" by the environment, a process Darwin called natural
selection.
Was Darwin aware of the genetic basis for evolution by natural selection? - ANSWERS-
no
Who was the first person to understand the role of genetics? - ANSWERS-Gregor
Mendel (father of genetics) published his work in 1866.
Although Darwin did not understand the genetic basis for evolution, he was aware that
_____ (2 things) - ANSWERS-variation within a species was common
selective breeding of farm animals with a specific variation often resulted in offspring
with that characteristic.
What did Dawkin's pebbly beach analogy illustrate about natural selection? -
ANSWERS-pebbles arrange themselves based on the flow of water and density and
size of the rocks.
Intelligent direction isn't required. The environment "selects" desirable characteristics
and spurns undesirable ones.
Define learning. - ANSWERS-Learning is a change in behavior due to experience.
Learning is a product of natural selection.
evolved modifiability - ANSWERS-Learning does not give the species the tendency to
behave a certain way in a new situation; rather, it gives the individual the tendency to
modify its behavior to suit that situation.
Updated Exam 2026 WITH Recent Newest
Verified And Well Analyzed Exam Questions
(Actual Exam 2026-2027) Correct Detailed &
Verified ANSWERS (100% Accurate Solutions)
ALREADY GRADED A+||NEWEST VERSION Of
The Exam Guarantee Pass!!
What are mutations? - ANSWERS-Abrupt changes in genes.
What can cause a mutation? - ANSWERS-Can be caused by exposure to radiation and
certain chemicals and perhaps by viral infections.
In what case will mutation be passed on to the next generation? - ANSWERS-when
mutations occur in genes of reproductive cells (sperm or ova)
Can mutations occur in any cell of the body? - ANSWERS-yes
Will offspring with mutated genes necessarily display the mutation? - ANSWERS-no
Are mutations always detrimental to survival? - ANSWERS-Many of these changes are
simply of no consequence, one way or the other Occasionally can be useful to survival.
(new horn mutation useful for defense)
What is a reflex? - ANSWERS-A reflex is a relationship between a specific event and a
simple response to that event. A reflex is a relationship between certain kinds of events.
Give an example of a reflex. - ANSWERS-Food in the mouth elicits the salivary reflex,
the flow of saliva that begins the process of digestion.
,What is reflex failure? When can it occur? - ANSWERS-Reflex failure is when a reflex
fails to function properly.
This can happen as a result of:
-allergic reaction to medication
-injury or disease.
-excessive alcohol or other drugs that depress the central nervous system.
Reflexes are highly ___________ - ANSWERS-stereotypic
that is, they are remarkably consistent in form, frequency, strength, and time of
appearance during development.
What is sensitization? Give an example. - ANSWERS-Eliciting a reflex response can
increase the intensity or probability of the response to stimuli.
Hearing a loud noise that makes you jump can make you more sensitive to noises that
arent as loud.
What happened when Kelly Powell and Stephen Holtzman (2001) gave rats morphine
for one to four days and then tested their reaction to the drug after a period of
abstinence? - ANSWERS-The rats showed an increased response to morphine (i.e.,
sensitization) for up to three months after their last dose.
What is habituation? Give an example. - ANSWERS-Repeatedly evoking a given reflex
response will result in a reduction in the intensity or probability of the response.
Cats slowly become used to a loud noise when exposed to it multiple times.
,Define a FAP. Give an example. - ANSWERS-A series of interrelated acts found in all or
nearly all members of a species.When confronted by a threatening dog, the house cat
arches its back, hisses, growls, and flicks its tail. These acts make the cat appear larger
and more formidable than it really is and may therefore serve to put off an attacker.
What were FAP called in the past? - ANSWERS-Instincts
What is a releaser? - ANSWERS-An event that triggers a fixed action pattern.red is a
releaser for the stickleback fish.
What did Wilson claim were humans FAP? - ANSWERS-Biophelia and aversion to
incest
Define a general behavior trait. - ANSWERS-Include activity level, aggression,
introversion, anxiety, hoarding (of food, for example), and sexual practices, among
others. Some behavior traits are strongly influenced by genes.
How do FAPs and behavior traits differ? - ANSWERS-FAP are elicited by fairly specific
events (releasers). Behavior traits occur in a wide variety of situations.
Do behavior traits have a genetic influence? - ANSWERS-yes even though they are
more variable. Dog like traits in foxes were bred through a number of generations.
Who originally said that change is the only constant? - ANSWERS-Roman philosopher
Lucretius 2,000 years ago
When was Darwins Origin of Species written? - ANSWERS-1859
Describe Darwin's theory of natural selection. - ANSWERS-There is, he argued,
tremendous variation among the members of any given species.
, Some of these variations are well suited to current conditions; others are not. Individuals
with favorable variations are more likely to survive and reproduce, so succeeding
generations are more likely to show helpful characteristics. Thus, features that
contribute to survival are "selected" by the environment, a process Darwin called natural
selection.
Was Darwin aware of the genetic basis for evolution by natural selection? - ANSWERS-
no
Who was the first person to understand the role of genetics? - ANSWERS-Gregor
Mendel (father of genetics) published his work in 1866.
Although Darwin did not understand the genetic basis for evolution, he was aware that
_____ (2 things) - ANSWERS-variation within a species was common
selective breeding of farm animals with a specific variation often resulted in offspring
with that characteristic.
What did Dawkin's pebbly beach analogy illustrate about natural selection? -
ANSWERS-pebbles arrange themselves based on the flow of water and density and
size of the rocks.
Intelligent direction isn't required. The environment "selects" desirable characteristics
and spurns undesirable ones.
Define learning. - ANSWERS-Learning is a change in behavior due to experience.
Learning is a product of natural selection.
evolved modifiability - ANSWERS-Learning does not give the species the tendency to
behave a certain way in a new situation; rather, it gives the individual the tendency to
modify its behavior to suit that situation.
