Question 1

According to kin selection theory, which equation best represents the likelihood of altruistic behavior towards a relative?

Accepted Answer

$$B 	imes r$$

Question 2

If the benefit to a recipient ($$B) is 8 $$and the coefficient of relatedness ($$r) is 0.25$$, what is the expected value for kin selection?

Accepted Answer

$$8 	imes 0.25 = 2$$

Question 3

Which scenario best illustrates reciprocal altruism?

Accepted Answer

Two unrelated individuals help each other repeatedly, expecting future help in return.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a method for recognizing relatives according to Slater (1994)?

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal altruism

Question 5

Phenotypic matching allows individuals to recognize kin by:

Accepted Answer

Comparing learned characteristics of close relatives to new individuals.

Question 6

Which statement about the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Greater diversity in parents' MHC leads to better immune function in their children.

Question 7

According to Wedekind (1990), women preferred T-shirts worn by men with:

Accepted Answer

Dissimilar MHC to their own.

Question 8

Which parental investment strategy is characterized by producing many offspring with minimal care and high offspring mortality?

Accepted Answer

Maximizing current reproductive success

Question 9

A parent who invests heavily in a small number of offspring is most likely maximizing:

Accepted Answer

Future reproductive success

Question 10

Which coefficient of relatedness ($$r) $$corresponds to monozygotic twins?

Accepted Answer

$$r = 1$$

Question 11

If a grandmother ($$r = 0.25) $$provides a benefit ($$B = 4) to $$her grandchild, what is the kin selection value?

Accepted Answer

$$4 	imes 0.25 = 1$$

Question 12

Which of the following is a genetic system used to recognize kin in the mating context?

Accepted Answer

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)

Question 13

People with similar MHC are more likely to experience which outcome?

Accepted Answer

Higher divorce rates

Question 14

Which real-world scenario best demonstrates kin selection?

Accepted Answer

A sister donates a kidney to her brother.

Question 15

Which method of kin recognition does NOT require shared experience?

Accepted Answer

Phenotypic matching

Question 16

In the context of parental investment, which strategy is most likely in an unpredictable environment?

Accepted Answer

Maximizing current reproductive success

Question 17

Which equation would you use to calculate the expected benefit of altruistic behavior towards a cousin ($$r = 0.125) if $$the benefit is $$B = 10$$?

Accepted Answer

$$10 	imes 0.125 = 1.25$$

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the continuum of parental investment strategies?

Accepted Answer

From producing many offspring with little care to producing few offspring with heavy investment.

Question 19

Which factor is most likely to decrease the probability of altruistic behavior according to kin selection theory?

Accepted Answer

Lower coefficient of relatedness ($$r)$$

Question 20

Which of the following is a plausible outcome of adoption in the context of kin selection?

Accepted Answer

Lower likelihood of altruistic behavior compared to biological relatives.

Families, Kin Selection, and Parental Investment in Psychology

Study Guide - Practice Questions