MCAT Behavioral Sciences Question 213: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 213

3. If one of the members of a group of monkeys warns the others of an impending attack by a lion by making a lot of noise, jumping up and down, and waving its arms, thus drawing the lion's attention, this can best be defined as an act of:

  • A. social isolation.
  • B. exclusive fitness.
  • C. role-playing.
  • D. altruism.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

When a social organism behaves in such a way as to benefit the group (such as the monkey attempting to warn the others about the lion by making noise, jumping, and waving its arms), even at a potential cost to itself (because the lion has now noticed the monkey), it is demonstrating altruistic behavior (choice D is correct). Inclusive fitness is defined by an organism improving its genetic success by helping others with similar genes to survive; exclusive fitness is not an element of social interaction among animals (choice B is wrong). Social isolation does not explain the behavior of the monkey in relationship to the rest of the group (choice A is wrong), nor does role-playing, which explains how individuals (humans) take on expected roles within groups (choice C is wrong).

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