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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Dawkins' description, what do insect colonies usually consist of?

2. What does AI stand for?

3. What does Dawkins believe about the tension between survival of different generations?

4. How does Dawkins characterize the runt of a litter?

5. Who does Dawkins' idea of AI expand the idea of PI to include?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dawkins cite that makes human beings exceptions to the idea that genes for having too large a number of children die out?

2. Explain the conflict between Wynne-Edwards and Dawkins over territory behavior.

3. How do Trivers and Dawkins differ in their interpretation of males investing energy into offspring before mating?

4. Why does Dawkins say mothers are more altruistic to their children than fathers?

5. What factors does Dawkins mention that weigh into caring for older versus younger offspring?

6. Does Dawkins agree or disagree with the theory about parental suffering for children's success, and why?

7. Why, from the standpoint of the selfish gene, is it more beneficial to save five siblings than five cousins?

8. Does Dawkins put forth any ideas by Wynne-Edwards that he agrees with?

9. Explain Dawkins' interpretation of the affects of overpopulation on female mice.

10. What does Dawkins substitute for survival of a species?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the distinctions between humanity and other species in Dawkins' work.

1) In Dawkins' book, how does he treat humanity similarly to and differently from other species?

2) What does Dawkins believe makes humanity unique? How does this relate to Dawkins' theory of the selfish gene?

3) What implications does Dawkins' theory have for human beings?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Darwin's treatment of siblings in The Selfish Gene.

1) In what ways are siblings in competition? Why doesn't competition between siblings typically escalate to deadly competition?

2) In what ways do siblings cooperate or benefit each other?

3) How do the relationships between siblings vary between species in the natural world, and how does this relate to Dawkins' overall theory.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss aggression within a species in Dawkins' book.

1) Why does Dawkins raise the question of cannibalism as a potentially viable food source for species, and what are his conclusions about the question?

2) How does Dawkins analyze aggression between members of a species? Are his arguments convincing?

3) What various personality types does Dawkins identify in regard to aggression? How simplified is this model compared to the natural world?

(see the answer keys)

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