Evolution and Natural Selection
Measurement & Research Methods
Maladaptive Traits & Pitfalls
Validity, Reliability, & Correlation
Surprise!
100

What is the process by which favorable traits become more common in a population over generations?

Natural selection

100

What is the difference between a theory and a hypothesis?

A theory explains; a hypothesis is testable

100

What is the term for assuming traits are inevitable because they are natural?

Deterministic fallacy

100

What is the difference between reliability and validity?

Reliability = consistency; Validity = accuracy

100
What is the date for the upcoming first exam?

Feb 20

200

What are the three key components required for natural selection to occur?

Variation, survival/reproduction, heritability

200

What is an operational definition?

A precise way of measuring an abstract concept

200

What psychological pitfall assumes that evolution leads to progress or improvement?

Teleology

200

What is the “third variable problem” in correlation studies?

A hidden factor causes the observed relationship

200

When are Erin's office hours?

Trick Question! :D

300

What is the term for the environment in which a species' traits evolved?

Environment of Evolutionary Adaptation (EEA)

300

What are the five foundations of psychology?

Evolution, Materialism, Idealism, Modularity, Empiricism

300

What is the evolutionary fallacy that assumes natural traits are always good or desirable?

Naturalistic fallacy

300

What research method helps eliminate observer bias?

Double-blind study

300

What are my 3 rules in grading recitation assignments?

  1. Arrive no later than 20 minutes after the start of class.

  2. All parts of the question must be answered for full credit

  3. I just want to see you try!



400

Why do some traits that were once adaptive become maladaptive?

Environmental changes occur faster than evolution can keep up

400

What is an example of a psychological concept that requires an operational definition?

Intelligence, happiness, stress, etc.

400

What is an example of a formerly adaptive but now maladaptive human behavior?

Craving sugar, etc.

400

What does a correlation coefficient of 0 mean?

No relationship between two variables

400

What are the names of the people in your group?

wait... were you paying attention :)

500

Why does natural selection act on individuals, but evolution occurs at the population level?


  • Individuals (have mutations in genes), survive and reproduce, but only populations change over generations.
  • Evolution is a shift in allele frequencies, not just individual traits.
500

What are the three major challenges in psychological research?

Complexity, variability, reactivity

500

What does falsifiability mean in scientific research? Give an example.

A claim must be testable and capable of being proven wrong

500

What is the difference between convergent and discriminant validity?

Convergent = related measures align; Discriminant = unrelated measures differ

500

What are your group mate's majors?

wait... were you paying attention :)