Crossbill Finches Have Beaks That Overlap with the Top Beak

question 7

Multiple Choice

Crossbill finches have beaks that overlap with the top beak to one side or the other of the lower beak. Most populations have 50:50 ratios of "right-handed" and "left-handed" beaks, and the handedness of the beaks is thought to be randomly determined, so we expect to see equal numbers of right-beak and left-beak finches. Consider a survey of 140 crossbill finches, which reveals 82 with right beaks and 58 with left beaks. What is the conclusion of a two-sided binomial test using the normal distribution to approximate the binomial?

• A) Fail to reject null hypothesis, we lack evidence that the handedness of the beaks is non-random.
• B) Fail to reject null hypothesis, we have evidence that the handedness of the beaks is non-random.
• C) Reject null hypothesis, we lack evidence that the handedness of the beaks is non-random.
• D) Reject null hypothesis, we have evidence that the handedness of the beaks is non-random.

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Definitions:

Mental Representation

The internal depiction of information in the mind, such as images, words, or concepts.

Object Permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or otherwise sensed, a concept that develops in infancy.

Conservation

In cognitive development, the understanding that certain properties of objects remain the same, despite changes in the object's appearance.

Egocentrism

A cognitive characteristic in which an individual is unable to differentiate between their own perspective and that of another person.