PSYC 387 Final Prep Athabasca
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Who originally said that change is the only constant? - answer Roman
philosopher Lucretius 2,000 years ago
When was Darwins Origin of Species written? - answer 1859
Describe Darwin's theory of natural selection. - answer 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? -
answer no
Who was the first person to understand the role of genetics? - answer
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) - answer 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? - answer 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.
What are mutations? - answer Abrupt changes in genes.
What can cause a mutation? - answer 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? - answer
when mutations occur in genes of reproductive cells (sperm or ova)
Can mutations occur in any cell of the body? - answer yes
Will offspring with mutated genes necessarily display the mutation? -
answer no
Are mutations always detrimental to survival? - answer 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? - answer 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. - answer 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? - answer 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 ___________ - answer stereotypic
that is, they are remarkably consistent in form, frequency, strength, and
time of appearance during development.
What is sensitization? Give an example. - answer 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? - answer 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. - answer 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. - answer 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? - answer Instincts
What is a releaser? - answer An event that triggers a fixed action
pattern.
red is a releaser for the stickleback fish.
What did Wilson claim were humans FAP? - answer Biophelia and
aversion to incest
Define a general behavior trait. - answer 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? - answer FAP are elicited by fairly
specific events (releasers). Behavior traits occur in a wide variety of
situations.
Do behavior traits have a genetic influence? - answer yes even though
they are more variable. Dog like traits in foxes were bred through a
number of generations.
Define learning. - answer Learning is a change in behavior due to
experience.
Learning is a product of natural selection.
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