Question 1

In the classic Prisoner's Dilemma, why might mutual cooperation be considered an 'evolutionarily stable strategy' (ESS)?

Accepted Answer

Because if all members of a population adopt mutual cooperation, no alternative strategy can successfully invade or replace it.

Question 2

Which of the following best explains why people do not always choose to defect in real-life situations similar to the Prisoner's Dilemma?

Accepted Answer

Over time, mutual cooperation leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.

Question 3

In the context of evolutionary psychology, what is reciprocal altruism?

Accepted Answer

A strategy where individuals help others with the expectation that the favor will be returned in the future.

Question 4

Why does the 'tit-for-tat' strategy often fail to develop during times of war?

Accepted Answer

There is rarely repeated contact with the same individuals from the opposing side.

Question 5

According to the Robber’s Cave Experiment, what is one effective way to reduce conflict between groups?

Accepted Answer

Introduce a superordinate goal that requires collaboration between the groups.

Question 6

What did the Robber’s Cave Experiment demonstrate about group membership?

Accepted Answer

People can develop strong in-group loyalty and out-group hostility based on arbitrary group assignments.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a reason the Robber’s Cave Experiment is considered important?

Accepted Answer

It proves that all group conflicts are caused by deep-seated hatred.

Question 8

From an evolutionary perspective, why might suicide be considered an adaptive behavior in some cases, according to Denys deCatanzaro?

Accepted Answer

Because individuals may perceive themselves as a burden to their kin or community, potentially increasing the survival chances of others.

Question 9

Which theme is commonly found in suicide notes, according to research mentioned in the study materials?

Accepted Answer

A sense of burdensomeness to others.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes 'xenophobia' as discussed in the context of social relationships?

Accepted Answer

A fear or loathing of strangers, leading to in-group bias and out-group discrimination.

Question 11

Imagine two companies are competing for market share. According to the Prisoner's Dilemma, what is the likely outcome if both companies act as defectors?

Accepted Answer

Both companies will end up worse off than if they had cooperated.

Question 12

Which of the following is a key insight from the Robber’s Cave Experiment regarding the basis for group discrimination?

Accepted Answer

People can discriminate based on arbitrary reasons for group membership.

Question 13

If mutual cooperation is an evolutionarily stable strategy, what would happen if a small number of defectors entered a population of cooperators?

Accepted Answer

Cooperation would remain stable because defectors would not gain a long-term advantage.

Question 14

Which scenario best illustrates the concept of reciprocal altruism?

Accepted Answer

A student helps a classmate with homework, expecting that the classmate will help them in the future.

Question 15

In the context of the Prisoner's Dilemma, what is the main reason someone might choose to defect in the final round of a repeated game?

Accepted Answer

They believe the other player will cooperate regardless.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes an 'evolutionarily stable strategy' (ESS)?

Accepted Answer

A strategy that cannot be replaced by any alternative if adopted by all members of a population.

Question 17

How does the concept of burdensomeness relate to evolutionary explanations of suicide?

Accepted Answer

Individuals may perceive themselves as a burden, leading them to believe their death could benefit their kin or group.

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of in-group bias as demonstrated in the Robber’s Cave Experiment?

Accepted Answer

Fans of a sports team showing hostility toward fans of a rival team.

Question 19

If a population is playing the Prisoner's Dilemma repeatedly, which strategy is most likely to yield the best long-term outcome for all participants?

Accepted Answer

Mutual cooperation (reciprocal altruism)

Question 20

Which of the following statements about the Robber’s Cave Experiment is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

The boys were divided into groups based on pre-existing friendships.

Social Relationships: Cooperation, Group Dynamics, and Evolutionary Perspectives

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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