One Way to Understand How Early Environment Influences Differing Behaviors

question 7

Multiple Choice

One way to understand how early environment influences differing behaviors in similar species is through the "cross-fostering" experimental technique. Suppose that the curly-whiskered mud rat differs from the bald mud rat in several ways, including being much more aggressive. How would you set up a cross-fostering experiment to determine if environment plays a role in the curly-whiskered mud rat's aggression?

• A) You would cross curly-whiskered mud rats and bald mud rats and hand-rear the offspring to see if any grew up to be aggressive.
• B) You would place newborn curly-whiskered mud rats with bald mud rat parents, place newborn bald mud rats with curly-whiskered mud rat parents, and let some mud rats of both species be raised by their own species. Then you would compare the outcomes.
• C) You would remove the offspring of curly-whiskered mud rats and bald mud rats from their parents, raise them in the same environment, and then compare the outcomes.
• D) You would see if curly-whiskered mud rats bred true for aggression.
• E) You would replace normal newborn mud rats with deformed newborn mud rats to see if it triggered an altruistic response.

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Definitions:

Feminization of Survival

The process through which women increasingly become the primary providers of subsistence for themselves and their families, often in contexts of economic disparity and social marginalization.

Migration

The movement of people from one location to another with the intention of settling temporarily or permanently in the new location.

Income

The financial gain received by an individual or entity, typically through work, investments, or other economic activities.

CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)

The practice by companies to act in an ethically responsible manner towards society and the environment beyond the legal obligations and economic interests of the firm.