🧠MCAT Behavioral Sciences Review - 6 Flashcards
(174 cards)
1
Q
What is the purpose of the Science Mastery Assessment in MCAT prep?
A
To help identify important topics and ensure appropriate study time based on personal strengths and weaknesses.
2
Q
If a student answers 0–7 questions correctly on the assessment, how much time should they spend on the chapter?
A
About 1 hour to read the chapter in full and take limited notes.
3
Q
What is androgyny in terms of gender identity?
A
High femininity, high masculinity.
4
Q
What is the most likely short-term result for a student who believes they cannot improve in math?
A
Low self-efficacy.
5
Q
What does an internal locus of control imply for a district attorney who wins a trial?
A
They attribute their success to their own skills and arguments.
6
Q
In psychodynamic therapy, what stage is indicated by a person who is overly tidy?
A
The anal stage.
7
Q
What is the most important task for a recent college graduate according to Erikson’s stages?
A
Forming an intimate relationship with a significant other.
8
Q
What phases of moral reasoning do Matt and Cati represent in their discussion about speeding?
A
Preconventional; conventional.
9
Q
Which theorist’s ideas are illustrated by a child’s ability to make an origami swan with adult assistance?
A
Lev Vygotsky.
10
Q
What conclusion can be drawn from research on role-taking and observational learning?
A
A female child is more likely to model the behavior of another female than a male.
11
Q
According to the psychodynamic perspective, what is responsible for guilt after an extramarital affair?
A
The superego.
12
Q
What Jungian archetype reflects a woman’s drive to become a CEO?
A
The animus.
13
Q
What theory is supported by the discovery of polymorphisms in the DRD2 gene related to thrill-seeking behavior?
A
The biological perspective.
14
Q
What trait would a sociable EMT likely score lower in?
A
Neuroticism.
15
Q
What defense mechanism might explain Stockholm syndrome?
A
Reaction formation.
16
Q
The thoughts of a young professional about winning the lottery represent which concept?
A
Fictional finalism.
17
Q
What is self-concept?
A
Our awareness of ourselves as distinct from others and our internal list of answers to ‘Who am I?’.
18
Q
How does identity differ from self-concept?
A
Identity consists of individual components of self-concept related to group memberships.
19
Q
What is gender identity?
A
People’s appraisals of themselves on scales of masculinity and femininity.
20
Q
What is ethnic identity?
A
The part of one’s identity associated with membership in a particular racial/ethnic group.
21
Q
What did the 1947 Clark study reveal about children’s ethnic self-concepts?
A
Many children preferred the White doll, highlighting negative effects of racism.
22
Q
What does national identity result from?
A
Shared history, media, cuisine, and national symbols.
23
Q
What role do symbols play in ethnic and national identity?
A
Symbols are important in both ethnic and national identity, representing cultural significance and belonging
Symbols of Jewish ethnicity and American nationality illustrate this concept.
24
Q
What are some categories through which we evaluate our identity?
A
Age, class, religious affiliation, sexual orientation
These aspects are explored in other parts of MCAT Behavioral Sciences Review.
25
What determines which identity is enacted in a particular situation?
A hierarchy of salience dictates which identity holds the most importance at any moment
## Footnote
Factors include invested work, associated rewards, and self-esteem.
26
How does the salience of an identity affect conformity to role expectations?
The more salient the identity, the more we conform to the role expectations associated with it.
27
What is self-discrepancy theory?
It maintains that each person has three selves: actual self, ideal self, and ought self, with perceived differences leading to negative feelings.
28
What are the three selves according to self-discrepancy theory?
* Actual self
* Ideal self
* Ought self
29
What is the relationship between the closeness of the three selves and self-esteem?
The closer the three selves are to one another, the higher the self-esteem or self-worth.
30
How do individuals with low self-esteem typically view themselves?
They are more critical of themselves and believe acceptance is contingent on success.
31
What is the difference between self-esteem and self-efficacy?
Self-esteem is how we feel about ourselves, while self-efficacy is our belief in our ability to succeed.
32
What can happen if self-efficacy is too high?
Overconfidence may lead to taking on tasks for which one is not ready, resulting in frustration or humiliation.
33
What is learned helplessness?
It refers to a perceived lack of control over the outcome of a situation, often linked to clinical depression.
34
What does locus of control refer to?
It refers to how individuals characterize the influences in their lives.
35
What distinguishes internal locus of control from external locus of control?
Internal locus means believing one controls their fate; external locus means attributing events to luck or outside influences.
36
What are Freud's five stages of psychosexual development?
* Oral
* Anal
* Phallic
* Latency
* Genital
37
What happens during the oral stage of psychosexual development?
Libidinal energy is centered on the mouth; fixation can lead to excessive dependency.
38
What is the significance of the anal stage in Freud's theory?
Toilet training occurs; fixation can lead to excessive orderliness or messiness.
39
What conflict is resolved during the phallic stage?
The Oedipal or Electra conflict.
40
What characterizes the latency stage of psychosexual development?
Libido is largely sublimated during this stage.
41
What is the genital stage of psychosexual development?
Begins at puberty; if prior stages are resolved, individuals enter healthy heterosexual relationships.
42
What is Erikson's theory of psychosocial development centered on?
The successful resolution of social and emotional conflicts.
43
What is the first conflict in Erikson's psychosocial development?
Trust vs. mistrust.
44
What is the favorable outcome of the autonomy vs. shame and doubt conflict?
Feeling able to exert control over the world and exercising choice.
45
What happens during the initiative vs. guilt stage?
Children learn basic cause and effect principles and develop a sense of purpose.
46
What is the conflict of industry vs. inferiority about?
Children become aware of themselves as individuals and feel competent or inadequate.
47
What is the major crisis of young adulthood in Erikson's theory?
Intimacy vs. isolation.
48
What are the favorable outcomes of the intimacy vs. isolation crisis?
Love and the ability to have intimate relationships.
49
What can result from an unfavorable resolution of the intimacy vs. isolation crisis?
Avoidance of commitment and superficial relationships.
50
What are the favorable outcomes of the intimacy vs. isolation crisis?
Love, ability to have intimate relationships, commitment to others and one's goals
## Footnote
If unresolved, it leads to avoidance of commitment and distancing from others.
51
What can result from the conflict of identity vs. role confusion during adolescence?
Positive effects: identifying interests, forming friendships; Negative effects: cliques, bullying, peer pressure
## Footnote
Programs like StopBullying.gov aim to address these issues.
52
What is the conflict faced during middle age (40 to 65 years)?
Generativity vs. stagnation
## Footnote
Successful resolution leads to being a productive and caring member of society.
53
What is the existential question associated with the crisis of integrity vs. despair in old age?
Is it okay to have been me?
## Footnote
Favorable resolution leads to wisdom and acceptance of life.
54
What are the stages of Erikson’s psychosocial development?
* Trust vs. mistrust
* Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
* Initiative vs. guilt
* Industry vs. inferiority
* Identity vs. role confusion
* Intimacy vs. isolation
* Generativity vs. stagnation
* Integrity vs. despair
55
What is the focus of Kohlberg's theory of moral reasoning?
Development of moral thinking
## Footnote
It emphasizes how cognitive abilities influence moral dilemmas.
56
What is the Heinz dilemma used for in Kohlberg's research?
To assess moral reasoning based on participants' responses to a moral dilemma
## Footnote
It involves a man stealing medication to save his wife.
57
List the six stages of Kohlberg’s moral development.
* Stage 1: Obedience
* Stage 2: Self-interest
* Stage 3: Conformity
* Stage 4: Law and order
* Stage 5: Social contract
* Stage 6: Universal human ethics
58
What characterizes preconventional morality?
Emphasis on consequences of moral choices
## Footnote
Stage 1 is about avoiding punishment, and Stage 2 is about gaining rewards.
59
What defines conventional morality?
Understanding and accepting social rules
## Footnote
It includes stages of conformity and law and order.
60
What is the main characteristic of postconventional morality?
Reasoning based on social mores that may conflict with laws
## Footnote
It includes social contract and universal human ethics.
61
What is the zone of proximal development according to Vygotsky?
Skills and abilities that are in the process of development with the help of a knowledgeable other
## Footnote
Example: Learning to ride a bicycle with adult guidance.
62
How does observational learning influence personality development?
Children imitate behaviors they observe in others
## Footnote
Role models include caregivers, siblings, teachers, and peers.
63
What is the looking-glass self?
Understanding oneself based on how others perceive us
## Footnote
It involves maintaining, modifying, downplaying, or accentuating aspects of personality.
64
Define reference group.
The group used as a standard to evaluate oneself
## Footnote
Self-concept often depends on comparisons with this group.
65
What is a key critique of Kohlberg's theory?
It may be biased against collectivist cultures and was based only on male subjects
## Footnote
Critics argue that this limits understanding of moral reasoning across genders.
66
How is personality defined?
Personality describes the set of thoughts, feelings, traits, and behaviors characteristic of an individual across time and location
67
What are the four main categories of personality theories?
* Psychoanalytic (psychodynamic) * Humanistic (phenomenological) * Type and trait * Behaviorist
68
Who is the most noteworthy supporter of the psychoanalytic theory?
Sigmund Freud
69
What are the three major entities in Freud's structural model of personality?
* Id * Ego * Superego
70
What principle does the id operate on?
The pleasure principle
71
What is wish fulfillment in the context of the id?
Mental imagery that fulfills the need for satisfaction
72
What principle does the ego operate on?
The reality principle
73
What is the secondary process in the context of the ego?
The guidance of the ego to postpone the pleasure principle until satisfaction can be obtained
74
What is the role of the superego in personality?
Judges our actions and responds with pride at accomplishments and guilt at failures
75
What are the two subsystems of the superego?
* Conscience * Ego-ideal
76
What are the three categories of access to the id, ego, and superego according to Freud?
* Conscious * Preconscious * Unconscious
77
What are the two types of instincts proposed by Freud?
* Life instincts (Eros) * Death instincts (Thanatos)
78
What are defense mechanisms?
Processes that relieve anxiety caused by the clash of the id and superego
79
List the eight main defense mechanisms.
* Repression * Suppression * Regression * Reaction formation * Projection * Rationalization * Displacement * Sublimation
80
What is the difference between repression and suppression?
* Repression: Unconscious forgetting * Suppression: Conscious form of forgetting
81
What is regression in the context of defense mechanisms?
Reversion to an earlier developmental state
82
What is reaction formation?
Transforming an unacceptable impulse into its opposite
83
What is projection as a defense mechanism?
Attributing undesired feelings to others
84
What does rationalization involve?
Justification of behaviors in an acceptable manner
85
What is displacement in psychological terms?
Transference of an undesired urge from one person or object to another
86
What is sublimation?
Transformation of unacceptable urges into socially acceptable behaviors
87
What does Carl Jung emphasize in his psychoanalytic theories?
Interpersonal, sociological, and cultural influences
88
What are the two parts of the unconscious according to Jung?
* Personal unconscious * Collective unconscious
89
What are archetypes in Jung's theory?
Underlying forms or concepts that give rise to archetypal images
90
List some important Jungian archetypes.
* Persona * Anima * Animus * Shadow
91
What does the self represent in Jung's theory?
The point of intersection between the collective unconscious, personal unconscious, and conscious mind
92
What are the three dichotomies of personality proposed by Jung?
* Extraversion vs. Introversion * Sensing vs. Intuiting * Thinking vs. Feeling
93
What personality test was influenced by Jung's work?
Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI)
94
What does the persona represent in Jungian psychology?
The aspect of our personality we present to the world
95
What does the anima represent in Jung's theory?
A man's inner woman
96
What does the animus represent in Jung's theory?
A woman's inner man
97
What does the shadow represent in Jungian archetypes?
Unpleasant and socially reprehensible thoughts, feelings, and actions in the unconscious mind
98
What does 'J' stand for in the Myers–Briggs Type Inventory?
Judging, preferring orderliness
99
What does 'P' stand for in the Myers–Briggs Type Inventory?
Perceiving, preferring spontaneity
100
Who originated the concept of the inferiority complex?
Alfred Adler
101
What drives personality according to Adler?
Striving for superiority
102
What is the 'creative self' in Adler's theory?
The force by which individuals shape their uniqueness and establish their personality
103
What does 'style of life' represent in Adler's theory?
The manifestation of the creative self and describes a person's unique way of achieving superiority
104
What is 'fictional finalism' according to Adler?
The notion that individuals are motivated more by their expectations of the future than by past experiences
105
What does Karen Horney's concept of basic anxiety refer to?
Children's early perception of self stemming from their relationship with caregivers
106
What are the three strategies children use to overcome basic anxiety?
* Moving toward people
* Moving against people
* Moving away from people
107
What is the main focus of object relations theory?
The representation of caregivers based on subjective experiences during early infancy
108
What does humanistic psychology focus on?
The value of individuals and their striving toward self-realization
109
What is Kurt Lewin's force field theory?
The sum of the forces (influences) on the individual at a given time
110
What are the two groups of forces in Lewin's theory?
* Forces assisting in goal attainment
* Forces blocking the path to goals
111
What did Abraham Maslow study to identify characteristics of self-actualizers?
The lives of individuals such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Albert Einstein, and Eleanor Roosevelt
112
What are peak experiences according to Maslow?
Profound and deeply moving experiences in a person's life with lasting effects
113
What is personal construct psychology as theorized by George Kelly?
The individual as a scientist who devises and tests predictions about others' behavior
114
What is Carl Rogers most known for?
Client-centered therapy
115
What is the concept of unconditional positive regard?
The therapist accepts the client completely and expresses empathy
116
What are the three basic types of traits according to Gordon Allport?
* Cardinal traits
* Central traits
* Secondary traits
117
What is functional autonomy in Allport's theory?
A behavior continues despite satisfaction of the drive that originally created the behavior
118
What does the need for achievement (N-Ach) refer to?
Concern with achievement and pride in accomplishments
119
What is flow in psychology?
A state marked by high but effortless attention to a task, accompanied by immersion and enjoyment
120
What is flow proneness?
The likelihood that an individual will enter a flow state given appropriate compatibility between skill and demand
121
What is behavioral inhibition?
A temperamental trait associated with fear and avoidance of novel experiences
122
How does flow proneness relate to psychological well-being?
Correlates positively with self-esteem, life satisfaction, and coping strategies
123
What is the Big Five Traits of Personality known as?
OCEAN
124
What does low openness in the Big Five Traits indicate?
Persevering in tasks and difficulty with abstraction
125
What does conscientiousness relate to in personality traits?
Self-control
126
What is the relationship between negative affect and neuroticism?
High negative affect corresponds with neuroticism and anxiety
127
What correlates with flow proneness?
Low behavioral inhibition and internal locus of control
## Footnote
Flow proneness is associated with intrinsic motivation and rewards.
128
What is behavioral inhibition (BI) related to?
OCEAN traits that correspond with low flow proneness
## Footnote
BI is connected to personality traits such as extraversion and openness.
129
What is the relationship between flow proneness (FP), internal locus of control (LoC), and behavioral inhibition (BI)?
High FP = Internal LoC = Low BI
## Footnote
This relationship suggests that individuals with high flow proneness are less behaviorally inhibited.
130
What survey was analyzed to study flow proneness, locus of control, and behavioral inhibition?
A web-based survey of approximately 11,000 twins from the Swedish Twin Registry
## Footnote
The survey included a flow proneness questionnaire, locus of control scale, and behavioral inhibition measures.
131
What did the study confirm about the correlation between flow proneness, behavioral inhibition, and locus of control?
A low but statistically significant correlation exists among them
## Footnote
This suggests a genetic influence on these traits.
132
Which genetic factors were indicated in the study relating to flow proneness and behavioral inhibition?
Specific genetic markers related to dopamine pathways
## Footnote
The study suggests a dominant inheritance pattern affecting these traits.
133
What major personality theory does the experiment in the passage support?
The biological perspective of personality theory
## Footnote
This perspective ties genetics to personality traits, especially those related to motivation.
134
What is the focus of the behaviorist perspective on personality?
The reflection of behaviors that have been reinforced over time
## Footnote
Operant conditioning is a key concept in this perspective.
135
What does the social cognitive perspective emphasize?
The interaction between behavior and environment
## Footnote
Albert Bandura's concept of reciprocal determinism is central to this perspective.
136
What does locus of control refer to in the social cognitive perspective?
The degree to which individuals feel in control of their environment
## Footnote
Internal locus of control sees success as self-determined, while external locus sees it as influenced by outside factors.
137
What are Freud's psychosexual stages of personality development?
Oral, anal, phallic, latent, and genital
## Footnote
Each stage focuses on different erogenous zones and can lead to fixation if not successfully navigated.
138
What are Erikson's stages of psychosocial development?
Trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame and doubt, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs. role confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs. stagnation, integrity vs. despair
## Footnote
These stages represent conflicts faced throughout life that influence personality development.
139
What are the Big Five personality traits?
Openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism
## Footnote
These traits provide a comprehensive framework for understanding personality.
140
What does the Eysencks’ PEN theory describe?
Psychoticism, extraversion, neuroticism
## Footnote
These traits are foundational for understanding individual differences in personality.
141
What is self-esteem?
Our evaluation of ourselves
## Footnote
It is influenced by the alignment of our actual self with our ideal and ought selves.
142
What is self-efficacy?
The degree to which we see ourselves as capable in a given skill or situation
## Footnote
Low self-efficacy can lead to learned helplessness.
143
What is the difference between internal and external locus of control?
Internal locus attributes success to oneself; external locus attributes it to outside factors
## Footnote
This concept affects how individuals perceive their role in life events.
144
What is the focus of the humanistic perspective on personality?
Internal feelings and striving for happiness and self-realization
## Footnote
Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a key concept in this perspective.
145
What is the difference between internal and external locus of control?
A student with an internal locus of control looks for internal factors, while a student with an external locus of control blames external factors.
146
According to Freud, what happens if an individual becomes fixated at a developmental stage?
The individual will display the personality traits of that fixation for life.
147
What is Erikson's view on individuals who do not successfully resolve a stage?
They will still move through subsequent phases but will lack the skills and virtues from that stage.
148
What does Kohlberg say about individuals who fail to reason at a certain level?
They will use reasoning from previous stages to resolve moral dilemmas.
149
What is preconventional reasoning?
Reasoning based on individual rewards and punishments.
150
What characterizes conventional reasoning?
Reasoning based on the relationship of the individual to society.
151
What is postconventional reasoning based on?
Abstract principles.
152
Does the zone of proximal development apply only to children?
No, it applies to the acquisition of new skills and abilities at any age.
153
What is the role of expert instructors in standardized tests?
They can help improve results by providing knowledge that students may not yet have fully developed.
154
What does the psychoanalytic perspective say about personality?
Personality is the result of unconscious urges and desires.
155
How does the humanistic perspective define personality?
Personality comes from conscious feelings about oneself resulting from healthy striving for self-realization.
156
What is the type perspective on personality?
Personalities are sets of distinct qualities and dispositions into which people can be grouped.
157
What does the trait perspective say about personality?
Personalities are assembled from having different degrees of certain qualities and dispositions.
158
What does the behaviorist perspective claim about personality?
Personality is the result of behavioral responses to stimuli based on prior rewards and punishments.
159
According to the social cognitive perspective, where does personality come from?
From the interactions between individuals and their environment.
160
What does the biological perspective suggest about personality?
Personality is based on genetic influences and brain anatomy.
161
What is the id in psychological terms?
The sum of our basic urges to reproduce and survive.
162
What role does the superego play in personality?
It represents our sense of perfectionism and idealism.
163
How does the ego function in relation to the id and superego?
It mediates the anxieties caused by the actions of the id and superego using defense mechanisms.
164
What are the three components of personality as described by Eysenck?
* Psychoticism: nonconformity or social deviance
* Extraversion: tolerance for social interaction and stimulation
* Neuroticism: emotional arousal in stressful situations.
165
What are the Big Five personality traits?
* Openness
* Conscientiousness
* Extraversion
* Agreeableness
* Neuroticism.
166
Fill in the blank: The _______ is defined as the sum of all the ways in which we see ourselves.
self-concept
167
What is androgyny in terms of personality traits?
Scoring highly on scales of both femininity and masculinity.
168
True or False: Learned helplessness requires a repeated inability to have any effect on a situation over a long period of time.
True
169
How does an internal locus of control affect a lawyer's beliefs?
It leads to a belief in being in control of the events happening in life.
170
What does fixation in the anal stage of psychosexual development lead to?
Excessive organization and excessive sloppiness.
171
What developmental conflict does Erikson associate with young adults?
Intimacy vs. isolation.
172
What is the primary goal of individuals experiencing the intimacy vs. isolation conflict?
Forming significant relationships with others.
173
What is reaction formation in psychological terms?
A defense mechanism that converts unwanted feelings into their exact opposite.
174
What does fictional finalism refer to?
Internal, idealistic beliefs about the future.
