Scientists Continue to Debate the Relationship Between Two Homo Fossil

question 44

Multiple Choice

Scientists continue to debate the relationship between two Homo fossil finds: KNM-ER 1470,named H.rudolfensis by some,and KNM-ER 1813,generally considered to be an exemplar of H.habilis.Is the smaller KNM-ER 1813 a distinct species? Could it be a female version of KNM-ER 1470,both being simply a female and male pair of the highly variable H.habilis? The only sure conclusion is that

• A) females are poorly represented in the hominin fossil record.
• B) there is a trend in hominin evolution toward large molars.
• C) no hominin fossil younger than 2.5 m.y.a. has exhibited chimplike features.
• D) KNM-ER 1470 is more like an australopithecine than a Homo.
• E) several different kinds of hominin lived in Africa before and after the advent of Homo.

---

Definitions:

General Intelligence

A theoretical measure of an individual's overall mental capability as opposed to specific abilities or skills.

Triarchic Intelligence

A theory by Robert Sternberg that intelligence comprises analytical, creative, and practical abilities.

Savant Syndrome

A condition in which a person otherwise limited in mental ability has an exceptional specific skill, such as in computation or drawing.

Factor Analysis

A statistical method used to describe variability among observed, correlated variables in terms of potentially lower number of unobserved variables, called factors.