Table 1 Common misconceptions about natural selection
Misconception | Example answers to: Why did giraffes evolve longer necks? |
|---|---|
Explicit TE | |
 Basic TE | The giraffes developed longer necks in order to reach food that grew on tall trees OR Giraffes with shorter necks developed longer necks because they needed them to reach food |
 Elaborated effort TE | Giraffes got long necks because they tried to reach the food |
 Elaborated agent TE | Nature gave giraffes longer necks to help them |
Ambiguous explanation | |
 Transformation | Giraffes with short necks changed into giraffes with long necks |
 Development | Giraffes born with short necks grew longer necks as they got older |