🧠MCAT Behavioral Sciences Review - 8 Flashcards
(131 cards)
1
Q
What is the purpose of the Science Mastery Assessment in MCAT prep?
A
To help identify strengths and weaknesses in content knowledge and guide study time.
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 reading the chapter in full and taking limited notes.
3
Q
What is social facilitation?
A
The tendency for people to perform better on simple tasks when in the presence of others.
4
Q
Fill in the blank: The Yerkes-Dodson law states that increased arousal enhances performance on _______ tasks.
A
simple
5
Q
What is deindividuation?
A
The loss of self-awareness in a group setting leading to a more group-oriented identity.
6
Q
What is the bystander effect?
A
The phenomenon where individuals do not intervene to assist those in need when others are present.
7
Q
Which of the following factors influences the bystander effect?
A
- Number of bystanders
- Level of perceived danger
- Relationship to the at-risk individual
- Group cohesiveness
8
Q
What is groupthink?
A
A psychological phenomenon where the desire for harmony in a group results in irrational or dysfunctional decision-making.
9
Q
What is social action?
A
Actions and behaviors that individuals perform or modulate because others are around.
10
Q
What is the difference between social action and social interaction?
A
Social action considers the individual surrounded by others; social interaction considers the behavior of two or more individuals.
11
Q
What is the affective component of an attitude?
A
The emotional response one has towards an object, person, or idea.
12
Q
Which social phenomenon is demonstrated when a jury member changes their vote to a stricter penalty after deliberation?
A
Group polarization
13
Q
What type of socialization is experienced when an individual prepares for a future role?
A
Anticipatory socialization
14
Q
Fill in the blank: The concept of self consists of the intrapersonal self and the _______ self.
A
interpersonal
15
Q
What is social loafing?
A
The tendency for individuals to put in less effort when working in a group than when working alone.
16
Q
Which mechanism of socialization is NOT typically used in adult prison systems?
A
Primary socialization
17
Q
What is the Michelangelo phenomenon?
A
The idea that close relationships can sculpt both individuals’ skills and traits.
18
Q
True or False: The more people present in a situation, the more likely an individual is to intervene.
A
False
19
Q
What does the term ‘normative socialization’ refer to?
A
The process of learning and adopting the norms and values of a group.
20
Q
What is the significance of the Yerkes-Dodson law in relation to performance?
A
It describes the relationship between arousal and performance, indicating optimal arousal enhances performance.
21
Q
What is the role of group cohesion in the bystander effect?
A
Higher cohesion can increase the likelihood of individuals responding to a situation.
22
Q
Fill in the blank: During groupthink, members of the group often _______ opposing views.
A
withhold
23
Q
Which psychological principle influenced subjects in the Milgram shock experiment to administer high voltage shocks?
A
Obedience
24
Q
What is the bystander effect?
A
The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present.
Influenced by factors such as perceived responsibility, group cohesiveness, and competency of bystanders.
25
What was the Kitty Genovese case known for?
It highlighted the bystander effect after her murder, where 38 witnesses reportedly did not call for help.
## Footnote
Investigation revealed that some did call for help, but the case influenced public perception of bystander behavior.
26
Define social loafing.
The tendency of individuals to reduce effort when in a group setting.
## Footnote
Applies to physical, mental effort, and initiative in various contexts.
27
What is peer pressure?
The social influence placed on an individual by peers, which can be positive or negative.
## Footnote
It affects behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs, especially during adolescence.
28
Explain the identity shift effect.
A phenomenon where individuals conform to group norms to avoid social rejection, leading to internal conflict.
## Footnote
This shift results in adopting the group's standards as one's own.
29
What is cognitive dissonance?
The simultaneous presence of two opposing thoughts or opinions, leading to discomfort.
## Footnote
Individuals may try to reduce discomfort by changing or minimizing one of the dissonant thoughts.
30
What did Solomon Asch's conformity experiment demonstrate?
Individuals often conform to group opinions, even when they know the answers to be incorrect.
## Footnote
Participants answered incorrectly up to one-third of the time when confederates gave wrong answers.
31
What is group polarization?
The tendency for groups to make decisions that are more extreme than the initial inclinations of individual members.
## Footnote
It can lead to riskier or more cautious decisions based on group discussions.
32
Define groupthink.
A social phenomenon where the desire for harmony results in poor decision-making without assessing alternative ideas.
## Footnote
Influenced by factors such as group cohesiveness and leadership.
33
List the eight factors indicative of groupthink according to Irving Janis.
* Illusion of invulnerability
* Collective rationalization
* Illusion of morality
* Excessive stereotyping
* Pressure for conformity
* Self-censorship
* Illusion of unanimity
* Mindguards
## Footnote
These factors can lead to disastrous decision-making in groups.
34
What is the definition of culture?
The beliefs, behaviors, actions, and characteristics of a group or society of people.
## Footnote
Culture is learned and passed down through generations.
35
What is cultural assimilation?
The process by which an individual's or group's behavior and culture begin to resemble that of another group.
## Footnote
It can also mean merging of different cultures.
36
What is the impact of peer pressure on adolescents?
It significantly influences their lifestyle, appearance, and social activities.
## Footnote
Peers become more important as teenagers gain independence from parental figures.
37
What is the 'risky shift' phenomenon?
The earlier term for group polarization, where groups tend to make riskier decisions than individuals.
## Footnote
It highlights how group discussions can lead to more extreme opinions.
38
How does social media influence group polarization?
Research shows that reading others' ideas on social media can result in more extreme opinions.
## Footnote
Physical presence in a group is not necessary for polarization to occur.
39
What is mass hysteria?
A shared, intense concern about societal threats leading to collective delusions.
## Footnote
Features include collective rationalization and excessive stereotyping.
40
What historical case exemplifies mass hysteria?
The Salem witch trials, where twenty individuals were executed due to fears of witchcraft.
## Footnote
It illustrates the dangers of collective delusions and societal fears.
41
What is the role of culture shock?
The dramatic realization of cultural differences when traveling outside one's society.
## Footnote
It can lead to misunderstandings and difficulties in adapting to new environments.
42
What is culture shock?
Cultural differences that seem dramatic when traveling outside one's society
## Footnote
Culture shock can result from differences in customs, behaviors, and social norms.
43
Define cultural assimilation.
The process by which an individual's or group's behavior and culture resemble that of another group
## Footnote
Assimilation can lead to the merging of different cultures.
44
What are the four primary factors used to assess the degree of assimilation in immigrant communities?
* Socioeconomic status
* Geographic distribution
* Language attainment
* Intermarriage
45
What is an ethnic enclave?
Locations with a high concentration of one specific ethnicity, often found in urban areas
## Footnote
Examples include neighborhoods like Chinatown or Little Italy.
46
What is the difference between assimilation and multiculturalism?
* Assimilation: uneven merging of cultures; melting pot
* Multiculturalism: celebration of coexisting cultures; cultural mosaic
47
Define multiculturalism.
Communities or societies containing multiple cultures or ethnic groups
## Footnote
Multiculturalism encourages and celebrates cultural differences.
48
How is multiculturalism often described?
As creating a cultural mosaic, a mixture of cultures and ethnic groups that coexist in society
## Footnote
This contrasts with assimilationism, which is described as a melting pot.
49
What are subcultures?
Groups of people within a culture that distinguish themselves from the primary culture
## Footnote
Subcultures can be based on race, gender, ethnicity, and other factors.
50
What is counterculture?
A subculture that gravitates toward an identity that opposes the majority culture and social mores
## Footnote
Countercultures often challenge the definitions of normalcy in society.
51
Define social facilitation.
The tendency for people to perform differently when in the presence of others
## Footnote
Individuals may perform better on simple tasks and worse on complex tasks.
52
What is deindividuation?
A psychological state characterized by a loss of self-awareness and individual accountability in groups
## Footnote
This can lead to behavior that is inconsistent with personal norms.
53
What is the bystander effect?
The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help a victim when other people are present
## Footnote
This is often attributed to the diffusion of responsibility.
54
Define social loafing.
The tendency for individuals to put in less effort when working in a group compared to working alone
## Footnote
This can decrease overall productivity in team settings.
55
What is peer pressure?
The influence exerted by a peer group encouraging individuals to change their attitudes, values, or behaviors
## Footnote
Peer pressure can be both positive and negative.
56
What are the similarities between group polarization and groupthink?
Both involve group dynamics that affect decision-making and opinions
## Footnote
Group polarization leads to more extreme positions, while groupthink suppresses dissenting viewpoints.
57
What is the term used to describe the process of developing, inheriting, and spreading norms, customs, and beliefs?
Socialization
## Footnote
Socialization is crucial for individuals to learn acceptable behavior in their culture.
58
What are the two types of socialization that occur during different life stages?
Primary socialization and secondary socialization
## Footnote
Primary socialization occurs during childhood, while secondary socialization happens in adolescence and adulthood.
59
What is the process called when one prepares for future changes in occupations or relationships?
Anticipatory socialization
## Footnote
An example is a premedical student shadowing physicians.
60
What is resocialization?
The process by which one discards old behaviors in favor of new ones, typically through intensive retraining
## Footnote
It can have positive or negative connotations.
61
What are norms?
Societal rules that define the boundaries of acceptable behavior
## Footnote
Norms provide a mechanism for regulating behavior and serve as a means of social control.
62
What are mores?
Widely observed social norms
## Footnote
Mores have strong moral significance.
63
What are sanctions?
Penalties for misconduct or rewards for appropriate behavior
## Footnote
Sanctions can be negative or positive, formal or informal.
64
Fill in the blank: _______ are norms that refer to behavior considered polite in social interactions.
Folkways
65
Who are the primary agents of socialization for children?
Caregivers, often parents or family members
## Footnote
As children grow, peers and teachers also become important agents.
66
What is deviance?
Any violation of norms, rules, or expectations within a society
## Footnote
Deviance can range from minor infractions to serious crimes.
67
What does social stigma refer to?
Extreme disapproval or dislike of a person or group based on perceived differences
## Footnote
Stigma can affect not only the individual but also those associated with them.
68
What is labeling theory?
The theory that labels given to a person affect how others respond to them and their self-image
## Footnote
This can channel behavior into deviance or conformity.
69
What does differential association theory propose?
Deviance can be learned through interactions with others
## Footnote
It emphasizes the influence of being surrounded by deviant versus normative ideals.
70
What is strain theory?
A theory that explains deviance as a reaction to the disconnect between social goals and social structure
## Footnote
An example is engaging in theft to achieve the American dream.
71
What is conformity?
Matching one's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to group or societal norms
## Footnote
Conformity can be influenced by real or perceived pressure.
72
What is the difference between internalization and identification in conformity?
Internalization involves changing behavior and agreeing with group ideas, while identification is acceptance of ideas without internalizing them
## Footnote
Both deal with accepting others' ideas but differ in the depth of agreement.
73
What was the Stanford Prison Experiment designed to study?
The impact of assigned roles on behavior
## Footnote
Participants quickly internalized their roles as guards or prisoners.
74
What is compliance?
A change in behavior based on a direct request
## Footnote
The requester typically has no authority over the individual.
75
What is the foot-in-the-door technique?
A compliance technique that starts with a small request followed by a larger request
## Footnote
An example is borrowing notes before asking for a larger favor.
76
What is compliance?
A change in behavior based on a direct request from someone without actual power or authority.
77
What is the foot-in-the-door technique?
A compliance technique that starts with a small request, followed by a larger request.
78
Provide an example of the foot-in-the-door technique.
A classmate asks to borrow your notes, then later requests to make copies of them.
79
What is the door-in-the-face technique?
A compliance technique that begins with a large request, followed by a smaller request if the first is refused.
80
Provide an example of the door-in-the-face technique.
A student asks to borrow your notes for class and, upon refusal, asks to make personal copies instead.
81
What is the lowball technique?
A compliance method where an initial commitment is obtained, followed by an increase in the cost of that commitment.
82
Provide an example of the lowball technique.
Agreeing to head a committee, then discovering additional responsibilities such as written reports.
83
What is the that's-not-all technique?
A compliance strategy where an offer is improved before the individual makes a decision.
84
Provide an example of the that's-not-all technique.
An infomercial offering earrings and then adding a free matching necklace before the purchase.
85
What is obedience?
Changing one's behavior in response to a direct order from an authority figure.
86
What experiment is most notable for studying obedience?
Stanley Milgram's experiment on the effects of punishment on learning behavior.
87
What percentage of participants in Milgram's experiment administered the maximum shock voltage?
65 percent.
88
What are the three components of attitude?
* Affective * Behavioral * Cognitive
89
What does the affective component of attitude refer to?
The emotional response a person has towards something.
90
What does the behavioral component of attitude refer to?
The way a person acts in relation to something.
91
What does the cognitive component of attitude refer to?
The way an individual thinks about something, serving as a justification for the other components.
92
What are the four functions of the functional attitude theory?
* Knowledge * Ego expression * Adaptation * Ego defense
93
What does the knowledge function of attitudes provide?
Organization to thoughts and experiences, helping to predict behavior.
94
What is the adaptive function of attitudes?
Expressing socially acceptable attitudes that lead to social acceptance.
95
What is the role of direct contact in learning theory regarding attitudes?
Direct contact with an object can influence the attitude toward that object.
96
What is central route processing?
High elaboration involving deep thinking and analysis of persuasive information.
97
What is peripheral route processing?
Low elaboration focusing on superficial details of persuasive information.
98
What is Bandura’s triadic reciprocal causation?
A model showing how behavior, personal factors, and environmental factors influence each other.
99
How do the three factors in Bandura's triadic reciprocal causation interact?
They influence each other, affecting behavior, personal attitudes, and the environment.
100
What is peer pressure?
Social influence placed on individuals by others they consider equals.
101
What are the three factors of social-cognitive theory?
Behavior, personal factors, environment.
102
What is social facilitation?
The tendency of people to perform at a different level based on the presence of others.
103
What is deindividuation?
Loss of self-awareness in large groups, leading to drastic behavior changes.
104
What does the bystander effect describe?
Individuals are less likely to respond to a person in need when in a group.
105
What is group polarization?
The tendency toward making decisions in a group that are more extreme than individual members' thoughts.
106
What is groupthink?
The tendency for groups to make decisions based on ideas that arise within the group without considering outside ideas.
107
What is culture?
The beliefs, ideas, behaviors, actions, and characteristics of a group or society.
108
What is assimilation?
The process by which a group or individual's culture begins to merge into another culture.
109
What does multiculturalism refer to?
The encouragement of multiple cultures within a community to enhance diversity.
110
What are agents of socialization?
Family, peers, school, religious affiliation, and other groups that promote socialization.
111
What is stigma?
Extreme disapproval or dislike of a person or group based on perceived differences.
112
What is deviance?
Any violation of norms, rules, or expectations within a society.
113
What is conformity?
Changing beliefs or behaviors to fit into a group or society.
114
What is compliance?
Changing behavior based on requests from others.
115
What is obedience?
Change in behavior based on a command from an authority figure.
116
What are the three components of attitude?
Affective, behavioral, cognitive.
117
What are the four functional areas of the functional attitudes theory?
* Knowledge
* Ego expression
* Adaptability
* Ego defense
118
What are the routes of processing in the elaboration likelihood model?
* Central route processing
* Peripheral route processing
119
Which route of processing is associated with high elaboration?
Central route processing.
120
What is the learning theory regarding attitudes?
Attitudes are developed through direct contact, interaction, instruction, and conditioning.
121
What is socialization?
The process of developing and spreading norms, customs, and beliefs.
122
What is primary socialization?
The initial learning of acceptable behaviors and societal norms during childhood.
123
What is secondary socialization?
Learning the norms of specific subgroups or situations during adolescence and adulthood.
124
Fill in the blank: The foot-in-the-door technique refers to asking for favors that _______.
increase in size with each subsequent request.
125
Fill in the blank: The door-in-the-face technique involves making a large request and then _______.
making a smaller request.
126
Fill in the blank: The lowball technique refers to gaining compliance without revealing the _______.
full cost of the favor.
127
Fill in the blank: The that's-not-all technique refers to _______ before an individual has the chance to decide.
increasing the reward for a request.
128
What are the three interactive factors of Bandura’s triadic reciprocal causation?
* Behavior
* Personal factors
* Environment
129
What is social action?
The effects that a group has on individual behavior.
130
What is social interaction?
How two or more individuals influence each other's behavior.
131
What is anticipatory socialization?
Preparing for future changes in environment.
