The following text is about evolutionary psychology.
"Mismatch theory" proposes that many contemporary problems arise from evolved psychological mechanisms operating in environments radically different from those in which they evolved. Preferences for sugar and fat made sense in ancestral environments where such foods were scarce; in modern environments with abundant processed food, these same preferences contribute to obesity. Similarly, evolved responses to social threat may misfire in large, anonymous modern societies. The theory suggests that understanding our evolutionary heritage can inform interventions—not to override evolution but to recognize when ancestral mechanisms mismatch current needs.
What does mismatch theory suggest about psychological adaptations?
Evolved mechanisms always produce optimal outcomes in any environment
Evolved mechanisms can cause problems when environments change faster than evolution
Evolution has stopped affecting human psychology
Modern environments are identical to ancestral ones
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. The text describes mechanisms that "made sense in ancestral environments" but cause problems (like obesity) "in modern environments"—a mismatch between evolved psychology and changed environments.
- Evidence: Ancestral adaptations problematic in modern contexts.
- Reasoning: Environments changed faster than mechanisms evolved.
- Conclusion: Environmental change outpaces evolutionary adaptation.
Choice A is incorrect because mechanisms can "misfire" in new environments. Choice C is incorrect because ancestral mechanisms still operate. Choice D is incorrect because "radically different" environments are central to the theory.