PrepTest 134, Section 4, Question 13
Passage A  Evolutionary psychology has taught us to(499 more words not shown)
Passage A(246 more words not shown)
Passage B(261 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(9 more words not shown)
- AAltruistic behavior is(17 more words not shown)
- BNew evidence may(17 more words not shown)
- CAltruistic behavior originally(18 more words not shown)
- DContrary to what(17 more words not shown)
- EAn evolutionary explanation(20 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
We're asked about A alone. Our prediction was that altruism can fit an evolutionary account: helping relatives can preserve shared genes, and the helping response may later extend beyond relatives.
What we’re looking for
Look for that proposed explanation. B's criticism shouldn't turn this into an answer about whether evolutionary psychology is generally right or wrong.
Working the answers
- A
This states the initial puzzle, then leaves it unresolved. A's main work is explaining how apparently unselfish behavior could promote the genes behind it. It doesn't conclude that altruism simply diminishes reproductive success.
- B
No new evidence or discovery is reported. A proposes a possible explanation using identification, empathy, and kinship; this answer recasts that proposal as a finding supported by new evidence.
- C
A does suggest that helping mechanisms later reached beyond small kin groups. It doesn't conclude that altruism no longer serves evolutionary purposes today. That alleged loss of function isn't the point.
- D
A doesn't argue against critics, and most significant types of human behavior is much broader than its specific account of altruism. B supplies the criticism in the pair; we shouldn't import it into A's purpose.
- ECorrect
This gives the mechanism behind our rough prediction. Cues of kinship could produce identification and empathy, which could encourage help for relatives and thereby promote shared genes. The tentative may also matches A's proposed explanation rather than turning it into a proved account.
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