3.4 Genetics and Evolutionary Psychology

This set of flashcards covers key concepts discussed in the lecture about genetics, evolution, and their implications for human behavior and cognition.

What does evolution refer to in terms of genetics and populations?

Evolution refers to the change in the frequency of genes occurring in a population over many generations.

Who first established Mendelian genetics?

Gregor Mendel established Mendelian genetics.

What survival advantage do red ladybugs have over yellow ones in the presence of predators?

Red ladybugs are less visible to predators, providing them a survival advantage.

What are common mate preferences for females according to evolutionary psychology?

Females tend to prefer strong, committed, and financially secure males.

What do males typically prioritize in their mate preferences?

Males tend to prioritize youthfulness and physical beauty in their partners.

Why do females have a higher cost associated with reproduction?

Females have a limited number of eggs and must gestate young for nine months.

What unique selective pressure do males experience regarding reproduction?

Males face less cost with reproduction as sperm production is relatively inexpensive.

How do reproductive costs affect mate selection in other species?

The sex that bears greater reproductive costs tends to be the choosier one.

What example illustrates males becoming the choosier sex in a species due to reproductive costs?

In some cricket species, the male provides a nuptial gift to the female, making him the chooser.

What is one example of biological reason for cognitive differences between genders?

Different hormone levels, such as testosterone and estrogen, can impact cognitive abilities.

What cognitive task do males typically perform better on?

Males tend to perform better on spatial and mental rotation tasks.

What are females generally more adept at compared to males in cognitive tasks?

Females tend to outperform males in language ability and spatial memory tasks.

Why might women underperform in math according to stereotypes?

Stereotypes that women are bad at math can negatively influence their performance.

How can positive expectations affect women's math test scores?

If positive role models are presented, women can perform better on math tests.

Are the differences in cognition between men and women strictly due to biology?

Not necessarily; some differences may arise from environmental and cultural influences.