B MCAT - Psyc Social

Question 1

Paternalism

Answer 1

Idea that people with high SES or authority have more right to make decisions than others.

(e.g. A doctor “knows what’s best” for a patient of low SES and presents limited choices.)

Question 2

Meritocracy

Answer 2

Belief that reward should be bestowed on the most talented or accomplished members of a group.

Question 3

the nativist theory of language

Answer 3

Humans have an innate capacity for language.

Question 4

Identification

Answer 4

Outwardly accepting the ideas of others, even if you don’t believe them yourself.

Question 5

Internalization

Answer 5

Changing behavior to fit the group, while also privately agreeing with the group.

Question 6

obedience

Answer 6

changing one’s behavior in response to a direct order from an authority figure.

Question 7

compliance

Answer 7

changing one’s behavior based on a direct request.

Question 8

Cohort study

Answer 8

Observational study in which a cohort is studied over time.

Question 9

Randomized control study

Answer 9

Two group: one receives treatment, the other a placebo. Great for showing causality.

Question 10

Case-control study

Answer 10

Observational study in which participants are divided into two groups based on outcome, then studied retrospectively.

Question 11

Cross-sectional study

Answer 11

Patients surveyed at a snapshot in time.

Question 12

Cluster A personality disorders

Answer 12

behavior patterns labeled as odd or ecentric (e.g. magical thinking)

Question 13

Cluster B personality disorders

Answer 13

behavior patterns labeled as dramatic, emotional, or erratic (e.g. antisocial behavior)

Question 14

Cluster C personality disorders

Answer 14

anxious or fearful behavior patterns

Question 15

general personality disorders

Answer 15

umbrella term referring to prolonged patterns of behavior deviant to social norms and expectations and impairs functioning.

Question 16

characteristics of psychopathy

Answer 16

callousness, manipulation, volatility, aggression, impulsivity, high emotional reactivity

Question 17

inductive reasoning vs. top-down reasoning

Answer 17

Inductive reasoning starts with specific context and attempts to draw a conclusion in a more general context.

Top-down reasoning does the opposite–starts with general and narrows to a more specific conclusion.

Question 18

Demographic Transition Theory

Answer 18

Stage I: preindustrial society; high birth and high death rates

Stage II: economic progress and social progress lead to high birth rates and low death rates = population growth

Stage III: improvements in contraception, women’s rights, and an economy shift lead to decline in birth rates and population growth

Stage IV: Industrialized society; low and steady birth and death rates

Question 19

attenuated

Answer 19

lessoned, less of

Question 20

2 components of self-concept

Answer 20

1) Identity–group identities that we affiliate ourselves with (how others see us).

2) Self-evaluation–How we see ourselves.

Question 21

Define data collection methods:
field study
secondary analysis
content analysis
experimental

Answer 21

field study - researchers collect their own data

secondary analysis - A type of data collection that takes previously collected data and applies it to a new study.

content analysis - qualitative examining of film, newspapers, etc.

experimental - these studies introduce an intervention (vs. observational)

Question 22

Concepts of Sociologist Tonnies

Answer 22

Gesellschaft - impersonal and indirect interactions, such as in a business or organization.

Gemeinschaft -sense of belonging in a community.

Question 23

mechanical and organic solidarity definitions

Answer 23

Mechanical Solidarity - sense of cohesion because of similar characteristics, education level, shared value, etc.

Organic Solidarity - cohesion based on reliance to perform specific tasks within a society.

Question 24

anomie

Answer 24

Anomie is a mismatch of social norms; sense of instability resulting from a breakdown of social standards or values. First coined by sociologist Emil Dirkheim.

E.g. An individual feels normlessness when their neighborhood is gentrified and many neighbors move because they can no longer afford the rent.

Question 25

automatic processing vs. controlled processing

Answer 25

automatic processing refers to learning something without conscious effort.

controlled processing involves active effort to learn information.

Question 26

SES vs. Social Capital

Answer 26

SES refers to income, occupation, and education.
vs.
Social capital refers to benefits provided by social networks.