Pinker and Human Behavior Quiz

What is the main topic of debate between Pinker and Steven Rose?

• Nature versus nurture

• Evolution versus creationism

• Genetic engineering

• Artificial intelligence

What is Pinker’s stance on the influence of genes on human behavior?

• Genes have no influence on behavior

• Genes are the sole determinant of behavior

• Genes play a critical role in shaping behavior

• Behavior is entirely a result of upbringing

What controversial view does Pinker hold regarding the soul?

• The soul is immortal and separate from the brain

• The soul is an unprovable concept

• The soul is the information-processing activity of the brain

• The soul is a spiritual entity

According to Pinker, what is the relationship between emotion and neural activity?

• Emotion is independent of neural activity

• Emotion is tied to specific neural activity

• Emotion is purely a social construct

• Emotion is unrelated to the brain

What does Pinker suggest about the development of language?

• Language is entirely learned through social interaction

• Language development is independent of genetic factors

• Language processing is modular and has a genetic basis

• Language is a purely cultural phenomenon

What does Pinker argue about the mind in "The Blank Slate"?

• The mind is a blank slate shaped only by experiences

• The mind is entirely predetermined by genetics

• The mind is a mix of genetic and experiential influences

• The mind is unaffected by culture

What does Pinker believe about the capacity of human brains?

• All human brains have a similar capacity

• Brains vary greatly in capacity

• Capacity is determined by education

• Capacity is determined by environment

What is the implication of Pinker’s view on freedom of thought?

• Freedom of thought is an illusion

• Freedom of thought is absolute

• Freedom of thought is a social construct

• Freedom of thought is unrelated to genetics

What does Pinker suggest about behavioral genetics?

• It has no impact on lifestyle choices

• It is a paradox with serious effects on lifestyle choices

• It is the sole determinant of lifestyle choices

• It is irrelevant to human behavior

What does Pinker’s "words/rules" account of language propose?

• Language is processed through a single mechanism

• There are two distinct computational mechanisms for processing words

• Language is entirely innate

• Language is learned through imitation