The Graph Below Represents the Results of an Experiment Looking

question 15

Multiple Choice

The graph below represents the results of an experiment looking at mate preference in female black widowbirds. The researcher used three groups of male birds: one with artificially shortened tails, one with artificially lengthened tails, and the control group with unaltered tail lengths.

Although females prefer males with the longest tails, very long tails are typically not found among males in their natural environment. Why might this be the case?

• A) Male birds with very long tails are easily captured and eaten by predators, so they do not survive to reproduce.
• B) Male birds prefer having shorter tails.
• C) Mutations have kept tail lengths from increasing.
• D) There is no advantage to having increased tail length in the natural environment.

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Definitions:

Universal Characteristics

Traits or behaviors that are generally found across all cultures and societies, often considered fundamental aspects of human nature.

Goodness Of Fit Model

A concept in developmental psychology that explains how well an individual's temperament matches with their environment, affecting their development and behavior.

Learning Styles

The preferential way in which an individual absorbs, processes, comprehends and retains information.

Temperament

Inherent personality traits and tendencies that influence how individuals react to their environment, often observable from a young age.