MCAT Behavioral Sciences Question 142: Answer and Explanation
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Question: 142
7. In several species of shrimp, the larger adults will sacrifice themselves to protect the younger, smaller shrimp. How is this behavior best explained?
- A. Inclusive fitness
- B. Direct benefit
- C. Sensory bias
- D. Foraging
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
In evolutionary psychology, inclusive fitness is a measure of the number of offspring an individual has, how they support their offspring, and how their offspring can support others. Inclusive fitness promotes the idea that altruistic behavior can improve the fitness and success of a species; the behavior in this scenario can be described as altruism: benefitting another at one's own expense.