PSY1101 FINAL PREP EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Are identical twins behaviourally more similar than fraternal twins? - ANSWER
Yes. Identical twins who reported their parents as treating them very differently
were not any less psychologically similar than twins whose parents treated them the
same way.
The three baby temperaments typically persist into later life. They are: - ANSWER
Easy, difficult, slow to warm up
Heritability refers to - ANSWER The extent to which differences among people are
due to genes
If the environment of a child were highly uniform, then heritability would: -
ANSWER Increase. Where all other factors are controlled and the same,
heritability becomes a greater determinant of difference
molecular genetics - ANSWER the subfield of biology that studies the molecular
structure and function of genes
molecular behaviour genetics - ANSWER the study of how the structure and
function of genes interact with our environment to influence behaviour
Epigenetics - ANSWER the study of environmental influences on gene expression
that occur without a DNA change
evolutionary psychology - ANSWER the study of the evolution of behavior and the
mind, using principles of natural selection
natural selection - ANSWER the principle that, among the range of inherited trait
variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be
passed on to succeeding generations
Evolutionary psychology suggests of mating preferences: - ANSWER That women
are choosier than men because there is more at stake- to reproduce her genes a
woman must at minimum conceive and protect a fetus growing inside of her for up
,to nine months
That men pair widely and women pair wisely
Heterosexual women tend to prefer tall men with broad shoulders and slim waists,
who appear dominant, bold, and affluent
social scripts - ANSWER culturally provided mental instructions for how to act in
various situations
How does experience affect brain development? - ANSWER Rats living in an
enriched environment (more toys and rat frenz) developed a heavier and thicker
brain cortex
What is peer influence? - ANSWER We seek to fit in with groups.
Children who hear English with an accent at home and another at school will
invariably adopt the accent of their peers
Put two teens together and their brains become hypersensitive to reward. This
explains why teens take more risks when with friends than when alone
Culture is: - ANSWER the enduring behaviours, ideas, attitudes, values, and
traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the
next
Norms - ANSWER rules and expectations by which a society guides the behaviour
of its members
individualistic culture - ANSWER a culture that emphasizes individuality and
responsibility to oneself
collectivist cultures - ANSWER cultures in which the self is regarded as embedded
in relationships, and harmony with one's group is prized above individual goals and
wishes
When describing friends, Westerners tend to use (blank) whereas East Asians more
often use (blank) - ANSWER Trait-describing adjectives (she is helpful), verbs that
describe behaviours in context (she helps her friends)
Sex is: - ANSWER In psychology, the biologically influenced characteristics by
,which people define male and female
Gender - ANSWER in psychology, the biologically and socially influenced
characteristics by which people define male and female
The average woman enters puberty at (blank), earlier than the average man at
(blank) and her life is (blank) years longer - ANSWER 11, 12 and 5
Aggression, a physical or verbal behaviour intended to harm is more often
perpetrated by (blank), whereas relational aggression, an act of aggression intended
to harm a person's relationships or social standing is more often perpetrated by
(blank) - ANSWER Men, women
How do men and women lead differently? - ANSWER Men tend to be more
directive, telling people what they want and how to achieve it. Women tend to be
more democratic, more welcoming of others' input in decision-making
What is male answer syndrome? - ANSWER When asked a difficult question, men
are more likely than women to hazard answers than to admit they don't know
Every man for himself, or tend and befriend. These phrases represent what trends
observed in men and women. - ANSWER Independence vs interdependence
primary sex characteristics - ANSWER the body structures (ovaries, testes, and
external genitalia) that make sexual reproduction possible
secondary sex characteristics - ANSWER nonreproductive sexual characteristics,
such as female breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair
social learning theory - ANSWER the theory that we learn social behaviour by
observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished
gender typing - ANSWER the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine
role
Androgyny - ANSWER Displaying both traditional masculine and feminine
characteristics
, gender schemas - ANSWER Preconceived beliefs or ideas about the nature of men
and women, their traits, attitudes, behaviors, and preferences
Lawrence Kohlberg's (3) stages of MORAL development - ANSWER
Preconventional morality, conventional morality, postconventional morality (for
some)
Erik Erikson's (8) stages of PSYCHOSOCIAL development - ANSWER Basic
trust, Autonomy, Initiative, Competence, Identity, Intimacy, Generativity, Integrity
Jean Piaget's (4) stages of COGNITIVE development - ANSWER Sensorimotor,
preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational
Do smiles predict marital stability? - ANSWER Yes. Studies show that people who
smile more broadly/openly have lower divorce rates than people with weaker
smiles
Teratogens - ANSWER agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the
embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm
Habituation - ANSWER decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation. As
infants gain familiarity with repeated exposure to a visual stimulus, their interest
wanes and they look away sooner.
The most rapid area of growth in the brain between ages 3 and 6 is in - ANSWER
The frontal lobes, which enable rational planning