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Evolutionary Explanations for Aggression and Violence

Description: This quiz is designed to assess your understanding of evolutionary explanations for aggression and violence. It covers topics such as the role of natural selection, genetic factors, and environmental influences in shaping aggressive behavior.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: evolutionary psychology aggression violence
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According to evolutionary theory, what is the primary function of aggression?

  1. To protect oneself and one's resources

  2. To gain dominance and status

  3. To increase reproductive success

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Evolutionary theory suggests that aggression can serve multiple functions, including protecting oneself and one's resources, gaining dominance and status, and increasing reproductive success.

Which of the following is NOT a genetic factor that has been linked to aggression?

  1. High levels of testosterone

  2. Low levels of serotonin

  3. A history of childhood abuse

  4. A genetic predisposition to violence


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

A history of childhood abuse is an environmental factor that can contribute to aggression, but it is not a genetic factor.

Which of the following is an environmental factor that has been linked to aggression?

  1. Poverty

  2. Exposure to violence

  3. Lack of education

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Poverty, exposure to violence, and lack of education are all environmental factors that have been linked to aggression.

The frustration-aggression hypothesis states that:

  1. Frustration always leads to aggression

  2. Aggression is always caused by frustration

  3. Frustration can lead to aggression, but not always

  4. Aggression is never caused by frustration


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The frustration-aggression hypothesis states that frustration can lead to aggression, but it does not always do so. There are many other factors that can contribute to aggression, such as genetic factors and environmental influences.

Which of the following is an example of displaced aggression?

  1. A child who is angry at their parents takes it out on their younger sibling

  2. A person who is angry at their boss yells at their spouse

  3. A student who is frustrated with a difficult test kicks their dog

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Displaced aggression is when a person takes out their anger or frustration on someone or something other than the person or thing that caused it.

Which of the following is an example of instrumental aggression?

  1. A person who attacks someone in order to rob them

  2. A child who hits another child in order to get a toy

  3. A student who bullies another student in order to gain social status

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Instrumental aggression is when a person uses aggression in order to achieve a goal.

Which of the following is an example of hostile aggression?

  1. A person who attacks someone because they are angry at them

  2. A child who hits another child because they dislike them

  3. A student who bullies another student because they enjoy causing them pain

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Hostile aggression is when a person uses aggression in order to hurt or harm another person.

Which of the following is an example of defensive aggression?

  1. A person who attacks someone in order to protect themselves

  2. A child who hits another child in order to stop them from hitting them

  3. A student who bullies another student in order to prevent them from bullying them

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Defensive aggression is when a person uses aggression in order to protect themselves or others from harm.

Which of the following is an example of proactive aggression?

  1. A person who attacks someone in order to gain control over them

  2. A child who hits another child in order to get them to do what they want

  3. A student who bullies another student in order to make them afraid of them

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Proactive aggression is when a person uses aggression in order to gain control over or dominate another person.

Which of the following is an example of reactive aggression?

  1. A person who attacks someone in response to being attacked

  2. A child who hits another child in response to being hit

  3. A student who bullies another student in response to being bullied

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Reactive aggression is when a person uses aggression in response to being attacked or threatened.

Which of the following is NOT a factor that has been linked to increased aggression in males?

  1. Higher levels of testosterone

  2. Lower levels of serotonin

  3. A history of childhood abuse

  4. Exposure to violence


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

A history of childhood abuse is a factor that has been linked to increased aggression in both males and females.

Which of the following is NOT a factor that has been linked to increased aggression in females?

  1. Higher levels of estrogen

  2. Lower levels of progesterone

  3. A history of childhood abuse

  4. Exposure to violence


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Higher levels of estrogen have been linked to decreased aggression in females.

Which of the following is a potential evolutionary explanation for the gender gap in aggression?

  1. Males are more likely to be exposed to violence

  2. Males have higher levels of testosterone

  3. Males are more likely to be in positions of power

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above factors are potential evolutionary explanations for the gender gap in aggression.

Which of the following is NOT a potential evolutionary explanation for the decline in aggression over the course of human history?

  1. The development of agriculture

  2. The rise of civilization

  3. The spread of education

  4. The invention of gunpowder


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The invention of gunpowder is not a potential evolutionary explanation for the decline in aggression over the course of human history.

Which of the following is a potential evolutionary explanation for the existence of empathy?

  1. Empathy helps us to cooperate with others

  2. Empathy helps us to avoid conflict

  3. Empathy helps us to build relationships

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above factors are potential evolutionary explanations for the existence of empathy.

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