Personality Theory Ch. 9 Questions and Answers 2024
Studies on heritability concern the degree to which variation in the observable traits of a
person, or __________, can be attributed to variation in the __________, or underlying
genetic structure. **** phenotype; genotype
Monozygotic (MZ) twins share _____ percent of the genes that vary across individuals,
and dizygotic (DZ) twins share, on average, _____ percent of the genes that vary
across individuals. **** 100; 50
Divorce has been found to be heritable: If one or more of your close relatives have been
divorced, you are more likely to get divorced than if none of your relatives has been
divorced. What does this finding imply about the causes of divorce? **** that one or
more genetically influenced traits are relevant to divorce
Frans de Waal is known for the "dilemma of the rarely exercised option" in evolutionary
psychology. Based on this dilemma, what is the most likely explanation for why
someone would be unfaithful in a relationship? **** Being unfaithful is a side effect of
another evolutionary adaptation
Behavioral genetics focuses exclusively on _______, whereas evolutionary biology
focuses on the inheritance of _______. **** individual differences; traits that all
humans share
Which of the following are explanations for why genome-wide association studies are
not frequently conducted?
a) It is still difficult to determine environmental effects on genes.
b) So many analyses are performed that many and maybe nearly all the results that
arise will be due merely to chance.
c) Early results have not been very promising.
d) Most scientists aren't sufficiently trained to conduct the studies properly.
e) They are extremely time-consuming and expensive. **** So many analyses are
performed that many and maybe nearly all the results that arise will be due merely to
chance; They are extremely time-consuming and expensive.
According to __________ theory, our feelings of self-esteem evolved to monitor the
degree to which we are accepted by others. **** sociometer
In contrast to evolutionary theorizing, how do Eagly and Wood (1999) explain behavioral
differences between men and women? **** social norms better reflect men's greater
size and strength and women's role in childbearing than biological hardwired behavioral
tendencies
Place the personality characteristics in order from most to least heritable:
a) generalized anxiety disorder
, b) extraversion
c) schizophrenia **** schizophrenia, extraversion, generalized anxiety disorder
Match each gene to the behavior or personality trait it is most likely to influence:
1. 5-HTT
2. DRD4
3. COMT
A) risky behavior
B) extraversion
C) neuroticism **** 1. 5-HTT = C) neuroticism
2. DRD4 = A) risky behavior
3. COMT = B) extraversion
A statistic called the_______ reflects the degree to which variance of a trait in the
populations can be attributed to variance in genes. If a trait is influenced by genes, then
it ought to be more highly correlated across pairs of ________ twins than across pairs
of _______ twins. **** heritability coefficient; identical; fraternal
According to the text, what statement is a widely accepted summary of behavioral
genetics? **** "Everything is hereditary"
In a(n) ________ study, data concerning hundreds of thousands of genes in thousands
of people are dumped into a computer, and together with data about these individuals'
________ are analyzed to find consistent associations among them. **** genome-wide
association; personality
In mate selection across a variety of cultures, __________ are more likely to place a
higher value on __________, while __________ are more likely to value __________.
**** men; physical attractiveness; women; economic security
What is the correct term for the belief that humans should be improved through
selective breeding? **** eugenics
Several criticisms of evolutionary psychology have "stress tests" that assess the degree
to which the evolutionary approach is a viable explanation of behavior. Match each
"stress test" of evolutionary psychology to its rebuttal.
a) It is not necessary for people to be consciously aware of what evolutionary theory
says is required for reproductive success.
b) Evolution of the cerebral cortex enables humans to have the ability to overcome
innate urges.
c) Evolutionary psychologists are not concerned with the moral reasoning of the human
psyche.
d) Empirical research can address specific predictions.
e) The differences between men and women in mate selection and other behaviors are
built-in through biological evolution.
1. reproductive instinct
Studies on heritability concern the degree to which variation in the observable traits of a
person, or __________, can be attributed to variation in the __________, or underlying
genetic structure. **** phenotype; genotype
Monozygotic (MZ) twins share _____ percent of the genes that vary across individuals,
and dizygotic (DZ) twins share, on average, _____ percent of the genes that vary
across individuals. **** 100; 50
Divorce has been found to be heritable: If one or more of your close relatives have been
divorced, you are more likely to get divorced than if none of your relatives has been
divorced. What does this finding imply about the causes of divorce? **** that one or
more genetically influenced traits are relevant to divorce
Frans de Waal is known for the "dilemma of the rarely exercised option" in evolutionary
psychology. Based on this dilemma, what is the most likely explanation for why
someone would be unfaithful in a relationship? **** Being unfaithful is a side effect of
another evolutionary adaptation
Behavioral genetics focuses exclusively on _______, whereas evolutionary biology
focuses on the inheritance of _______. **** individual differences; traits that all
humans share
Which of the following are explanations for why genome-wide association studies are
not frequently conducted?
a) It is still difficult to determine environmental effects on genes.
b) So many analyses are performed that many and maybe nearly all the results that
arise will be due merely to chance.
c) Early results have not been very promising.
d) Most scientists aren't sufficiently trained to conduct the studies properly.
e) They are extremely time-consuming and expensive. **** So many analyses are
performed that many and maybe nearly all the results that arise will be due merely to
chance; They are extremely time-consuming and expensive.
According to __________ theory, our feelings of self-esteem evolved to monitor the
degree to which we are accepted by others. **** sociometer
In contrast to evolutionary theorizing, how do Eagly and Wood (1999) explain behavioral
differences between men and women? **** social norms better reflect men's greater
size and strength and women's role in childbearing than biological hardwired behavioral
tendencies
Place the personality characteristics in order from most to least heritable:
a) generalized anxiety disorder
, b) extraversion
c) schizophrenia **** schizophrenia, extraversion, generalized anxiety disorder
Match each gene to the behavior or personality trait it is most likely to influence:
1. 5-HTT
2. DRD4
3. COMT
A) risky behavior
B) extraversion
C) neuroticism **** 1. 5-HTT = C) neuroticism
2. DRD4 = A) risky behavior
3. COMT = B) extraversion
A statistic called the_______ reflects the degree to which variance of a trait in the
populations can be attributed to variance in genes. If a trait is influenced by genes, then
it ought to be more highly correlated across pairs of ________ twins than across pairs
of _______ twins. **** heritability coefficient; identical; fraternal
According to the text, what statement is a widely accepted summary of behavioral
genetics? **** "Everything is hereditary"
In a(n) ________ study, data concerning hundreds of thousands of genes in thousands
of people are dumped into a computer, and together with data about these individuals'
________ are analyzed to find consistent associations among them. **** genome-wide
association; personality
In mate selection across a variety of cultures, __________ are more likely to place a
higher value on __________, while __________ are more likely to value __________.
**** men; physical attractiveness; women; economic security
What is the correct term for the belief that humans should be improved through
selective breeding? **** eugenics
Several criticisms of evolutionary psychology have "stress tests" that assess the degree
to which the evolutionary approach is a viable explanation of behavior. Match each
"stress test" of evolutionary psychology to its rebuttal.
a) It is not necessary for people to be consciously aware of what evolutionary theory
says is required for reproductive success.
b) Evolution of the cerebral cortex enables humans to have the ability to overcome
innate urges.
c) Evolutionary psychologists are not concerned with the moral reasoning of the human
psyche.
d) Empirical research can address specific predictions.
e) The differences between men and women in mate selection and other behaviors are
built-in through biological evolution.
1. reproductive instinct
