MCAT Psych #10

Question 1

interpersonal attraction

Answer 1

phenomenon of individuals liking each other

influenced by many factors, including physical characteristics, similarity, self-disclosure, reciprocity, and proximity.

Question 2

interpersonal attraction: physical characteristics

Answer 2

Humans are attracted to people based on outward appearance such as more symmetric face or body proportions of the golden ratio.

Question 3

interpersonal attraction: similarity

Answer 3

Attracted to people who are more similar (attitudes, age, height). Easier to hangout with these people.
• People like to have their values and choices validated
• Opposites attract: nurturer with someone who likes to be nurtured.

Question 4

interpersonal attraction: self-disclosure

Answer 4

sharing one’s fears, thoughts, and goals with another person and being met with nonjudgmental empathy.
• Needs to be reciprocal

Question 5

interpersonal attraction: reciprocity

Answer 5

the phenomenon whereby people like others better when they believe the other person likes them.
• Even if you disagree, if you think they like you, you will have increased interest in them.

Question 6

interpersonal attraction: proximity

Answer 6

being physically close to someone
• Part of this is convenience.
• Ex: same dorm, sit close in class.
• Mere exposure effect or familiarity effect: people prefer stimuli that they have been exposed to more frequently.
o Ex: hearing a song and not liking it but then beginning to like it after 5 more times.

Question 7

mere exposure/familiarity effect

Answer 7

people prefer stimuli that they have been exposed to more frequently.
o Ex: hearing a song and not liking it but then beginning to like it after 5 more times.

Question 8

aggression

Answer 8

a behavior that intends to cause harm or increase social dominance. Physical and verbal

o Threat display can lead to bodily and physical harm ensuing or withdrawal of one of the parties
o Evolutionarily aggression offers protections against perceived and real threats.
o Parts of the brain contribute to violent behavior
 Amygdala: part of the brain responsible for associating stimuli and their corresponding rewards or punishments.
• Tells us if something is a threat. When activated it increases aggression. The prefrontal cortex can pump the breaks on this.
o Cognitive neoassociation model: states that we are more likely to respond to others aggressively when we are feeling negative emotions, such as being tired, sick, frustrated, or in pain.
o Viewing violent behavior increases aggression.

Question 9

amygdala and aggression

Answer 9

part of the brain responsible for associating stimuli and their corresponding rewards or punishments.
• Tells us if something is a threat. When activated it increases aggression. The prefrontal cortex can pump the breaks on this.

Question 10

cognitive neoassociation model

Answer 10

aggression
states that we are more likely to respond to others aggressively when we are feeling negative emotions, such as being tired, sick, frustrated, or in pain.

Question 11

attachment

Answer 11

an emotional bond between a caregiver and a child
o Development of attachment begins during infancy and is very important for the first two years of a child’s life.
o In attachment, a secure base is a caregiver who is consistent, available, comforting, and responsive.

Question 12

attachment involves

Answer 12

child and caregiver (doesn’t have to be parent)

Question 13

what are the four main attachment styles

Answer 13

secure attachment
avoidant attachment
ambivalent attachment
disorganized attachment

Question 14

secure attachment

Answer 14

a child has a consistent caregiver and is able to go out and explore, knowing that he or she has a secure base to return to.
• Important for child’s social development
• Upset when the caregiver leaves and happy when comes back.
• Trusts that the caregiver will be there for comfort but will also take comfort form others.

Question 15

avoidant attachment

Answer 15

the caregiver has little or no response to a distressed child.
• No distress when caregiver leaves and no relief when returns
• Show no preference between caregiver and stranger.

Question 16

ambivalent attachment

Answer 16

the caregiver has an inconsistent response to child’s distress, sometimes responding appropriately, sometimes neglectfully.
• Distressed when caregiver leaves but mixed emotion when returns.

Question 17

disorganized attachment

Answer 17

show no clear pattern of behavior in response to the caregiver’s absence or presence, but instead can show a mix of different behaviors.
• Associated with erratic behavior and social withdrawal by the caregiver
• Red flag for abuse.

sometimes exhibits repetitive behaviors or seems dazed and confused

Question 18

secure base

Answer 18

is a caregiver who is consistent, available, comforting, and responsive.

Question 19

social support

Answer 19

the perception or reality that one is cared for by a social network.
o Although it is present at all times, it is most pronounced and necessary when someone suffers a personal or family tragedy.

Question 20

what are the different categories of social support

Answer 20

emotional support
esteem support
material support
informational support
network support

Question 21

emotional support

Answer 21

listening, affirming, and empathizing with someone’s feelings
• Ex: I’m sorry for your loss card or visiting someone in the hospital

Question 22

esteem support

Answer 22

touches more directly on affirming the qualities and skills of a person
• Ex: telling a school friend that has missed a lot of school that making up the work will be easy because they are smart.

Question 23

material support

Answer 23

syn: tangible support
any type of financial or material contribution to another person.
• Ex: donating money or making a meal

Question 24

informational support

Answer 24

providing information that will help someone

• Ex: doctor to patient explaining diagnoses.

Question 25

network support

Answer 25

gives a person a sense of belonging. | • Ex: physical hug, gestures, group activities.

Question 26

network support

Answer 26

gives a person a sense of belonging. | • Ex: physical hug, gestures, group activities.

Question 27

social support provides _____ benefits

Answer 27

health

Question 28

foraging

Answer 28

seeking out and eating food, driven by biological, psychological, and social influence.  Bio: sensation of hunger is driven by the hypothalamus, genes dictate who in the group will do what foraging roles.  Cognitive skills such as spatial awareness, memory, and decision making play a role in the success of foraging. • Species that forage as a group: learned through observation

Question 29

lateral hypothalamus and what happens if damaged

Answer 29

hunger, always full

Question 30

ventromedial hypothalamus and what happens if damaged

Answer 30

satiety, never full

Question 31

mating system

Answer 31

describes the organization of a group’s sexual behavior.

Question 32

monogamy

Answer 32

refers to an exclusive mating relationship

Question 33

polygamy

Answer 33

o Polygandry: a male having exclusive relationships with multiple females o Polygyny: female having exclusive relationships with multiple males

Question 34

polygandry

Answer 34

a male having exclusive relationships with multiple females

Question 35

polygyny

Answer 35

female having exclusive relationships with multiple males

Question 36

promiscuity

Answer 36

a member of one sex mating with a member of the opposite sex, without inclusivity. A member of one sex mating with ANY member of the opposite sex

Question 37

mate choice or intersexual selection

Answer 37

dthe selection of a mate based on attraction

Question 38

mate bias

Answer 38

how choosy members of the species are while choosing a mate. • Evolutionary aimed at increasing the fitness of the species • Direct benefits: providing material advantages, protection, or emotional support • Indirect benefits: promoting better survival of offspring 5 mechanisms of mate choice 1. phenotypic benefits 2. sensory bias 3. Fisherian or runaway selection 4. indicator traits 5. genetic compatibility

Question 39

direct benefits

Answer 39

mate bias | providing material advantages, protection, or emotional support

Question 40

indirect benefits

Answer 40

mate bias | promoting better survival of offspring

Question 41

Direct benefits provide advantages to the ____. Indirect benefits provide advantages to the ____

Answer 41

mate | offspring

Question 42

phenotypic benefits

Answer 42

mate choice observable traits that make a potential mate more attractive to the opposite sex. Indicate increased production and survival of offspring.  Ex: males that are more nurturing

Question 43

sensory bias

Answer 43

mate choice development of a trait to match a preexisting preference that exists in the population.  Ex: pillar crabs building a specific territory that attracts mates (tricks them into thinking it is a food source)

Question 44

Fisherian or runaway selection

Answer 44

mate choice a positive feedback mechanism in which a particular trait that has no effect or a NEGATIVE effect on survival becomes more and more exaggerated over time.  Ex: peacock plumage, trait is attractive, more likely to get passed on

Question 45

indicator traits

Answer 45

mate choice traits that signify overall good health and well-being of an organism increase attractiveness to mates.  Ex: female cats like male cats with clean coat.

Question 46

genetic compatibility

Answer 46

mate choice the creation of mate pairs that, when combined, have complementary genetics.  Ex: being attracted to people who are very different reduces the probability of offspring being homozygotic for a disease-carrying allele.

Question 47

altruism

Answer 47

a form of helping behavior in which the person’s intent is to benefit someone else at some cost to himself. Can be motivated by selflessness or egoism such as public recognition.  Empathy: the ability to vicariously experience the emotions of another • Influences helping behavior  Empathy-altruism hypothesis: one explanation for the relationship between empathy and helping behavior: one individual helps another person when he or she feels empathy for the other person, regardless of the cost. • Debated: maybe only when benefits outweigh costs.

Question 48

empathy

Answer 48

the ability to vicariously experience the emotions of another • Influences helping behavior

Question 49

empathy-altruism hypothesis

Answer 49

one explanation for the relationship between empathy and helping behavior: one individual helps another person when he or she feels empathy for the other person, regardless of the cost. • Debated: maybe only when benefits outweigh costs for the individual helping

Question 50

game theory

Answer 50

attempts to explain decision-making behavior. used to study decision making A game is defined by its players, the information and actions available to each player at decision points, and the payoffs associated with each outcome.

Question 51

evolutionary stable strategy

Answer 51

via natural selection, strategies are inherited traits passed along within the population, with the object of the game being becoming more fit than competitors.

Question 52

hawk-dove evolutionary game

Answer 52

• Choose hawk or dove o Two hawks: one will win and one will lose o Hawk and dove: hawk always wins o Two doves: will share food resources • Payoff based on value of reward and cost of fighting • 4 alternatives for competitors when dealing with strategic interactions: o Altruism: the donor provides a benefit to the recipient at a cost to him o Cooperation: both the donor and recipient benefit by cooperating o Spite: both the donor and recipient are negatively impacted o Selfishness: the donor benefits while the recipient is negatively impacted

Question 53

hawk-dove: altruism

Answer 53

the donor provides a benefit to the recipient at a cost to him (be dove for them to be hawk)

Question 54

hawk-dove: cooperation

Answer 54

both the donor and recipient benefit by cooperating | both dove

Question 55

hawk-dove: spite

Answer 55

both the donor and recipient are negatively impacted (both hawk)

Question 56

hawk-dove: selfishness

Answer 56

the donor benefits while the recipient is negatively impacted (donor is hawk, recipient dove)

Question 57

inclusive fitness

Answer 57

a measure of an organism’s success in the population  Based on the number of offspring, success in supporting the offspring, and the ability of the offspring to then support others.  Promoting the survival of related individuals such as relatives can lead to genetic success. • Or the group all protect the young  Promotes the idea that altruistic behavior can improve the fitness and success of the species as a whole.

Question 58

social perception

Answer 58

: how we form impressions about the characteristics of individuals and groups of people. Also referred to as social cognition: provides the tools to make judgements and impressions regarding people. o We feel the need to understand the behavior of others. o Three Components of social perception: 1. perceiver 2. target 3. situation

Question 59

social perception: perceiver

Answer 59

influenced by experience, motives, and emotional state. Experience dictates attitude toward new and future experiences, motives determine what we pay attention to and emotional state flavors our interpretation of an event.

Question 60

social perception: target

Answer 60

the person about which the perception is made. Could be affected by our experiences with them.

Question 61

social perception: situation

Answer 61

a given social context can determine what information is available to the perceiver.

Question 62

impression bias theory

Answer 62

initially meet someone, take in all social and target cues. Categorize the target. And then additional time is spent with the target to confirm the categorization. The additional cues are selectively taken in to paint a consistent picture of the target  Primacy effect: first impressions are often more important than subsequent impressions.  Recency effect: when it is the most recent info that is most important in forming impressions.  Reliance on central traits: individuals tend to organize the perception of others based on traits and personal characteristics that are the most relevant to the perceiver.  Implicit personality theory: describes the categories we place others in, states that there are sets of assumptions people make about how different types of people, their traits, and their behavior are related.

Question 63

impression bias theory: primacy effect

Answer 63

first impressions are often more important than subsequent impressions.

Question 64

impression bias theory: recency effect

Answer 64

when it is the most recent info that is most important in forming impressions.

Question 65

impression bias theory: reliance on central traits

Answer 65

individuals tend to organize the perception of others based on traits and personal characteristics that are the most relevant to the perceiver.

Question 66

impression bias theory: implicit personality theory

Answer 66

describes the categories we place others in, states that there are sets of assumptions people make about how different types of people, their traits, and their behavior are related. Stereotyping: making assumptions about people based on the category in which they are placed.

Question 67

halo effect

Answer 67

cognitive bias in which judgements about a specific aspect of an individual can be affected by one’s overall impression of the individual.  I like Judy, Judy is good at all of these things.  People are often inaccurate when evaluating people that they either believe to be generally good or bad.  Attractiveness can result in this effect.

Question 68

just-world hypothesis

Answer 68

someone is getting what they deserve because they are a bad or good person. Good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people.

Question 69

self-serving bias

Answer 69

syn: self-serving attributional bias skews self-identity and perception, individuals will view their success based on internal factors and view their failures based on external factors.  Used to protect our self-esteem.  Locus of control influences this.  Ex: did well on a test cause you’re smart or bad on a test cause the teacher is bad.  Self-enhancement: focuses on the need to maintain self-worth and can be done through internal attribution of successes and external attribution of failures.  Strangers are more likely to blame others.

Question 70

locus of control

Answer 70

plays a role in self serving bias. Whether you believe you are in control or the environment is in control

Question 71

self ehancement

Answer 71

self serving bias focuses on the need to maintain self-worth and can be done through internal attribution of successes and external attribution of failures.

Question 72

attribution theory

Answer 72

the tendency for individuals to infer the causes of other people’s behaviors o Dispositional and Situational Causes  Dispositional (internal): attributions that relate to the person whose behavior is being considered, including his or her beliefs, attitudes, and personality characteristics.  Situational (external): attributions that relate to features of the surroundings, such as threats, money, social norms, and peer pressure.  Ex: a friend winning an award is attributed to his hard work or luck o Cues: used to understand the behavior of others Cues: consistency, consensus, distinctiveness

Question 73

attribution theory: dispositional causes

Answer 73

internal attributions that relate to the person whose behavior is being considered, including his or her beliefs, attitudes, and personality characteristics. Ex: a friend winning an award is attributed to hard work

Question 74

attribution theory: situational causes

Answer 74

external attributions that relate to features of the surroundings, such as threats, money, social norms, and peer pressure. Ex: a friend winning an award is attributed to luck

Question 75

cues

Answer 75

used to understand the behavior of others

Question 76

attribution theory: consistency cues

Answer 76

refer to the consistent behavior of a person over time. The more consistent the behavior, the more we associate it with the person.

Question 77

attribution theory: consensus cues

Answer 77

relate to the extent to which a person’s behavior differs from others. If it is different we will make an internal attribution about them.

Question 78

attribution theory: distinctiveness cues

Answer 78

the extent to which a person engages in similar behavior across a series of scenarios. If it varies in different scenarios  situational attribution.

Question 79

correspondent inference theory

Answer 79

focuses on the intentionality of others behaviors. Unexpected behaviors are dispositionally attributed.

Question 80

Actor-observer asymmetry or bias

Answer 80

results from the self-serving bias (by the actor) and the fundamental attribution error (by the observer). Actor-observer bias holds that, due to our own unique knowledge about our own actions, we are more likely to make situational attributions for the self as compared to others. Ex: if you don’t finish an assignment, consider the situation factors more cause you experienced them.

Question 81

fundamental attribution error

Answer 81

we are generally biased toward making dispositional attributions rather than situational attributions, especially in negative contexts.  Ex: team member cannot finish their part of the project so we attribute this to him being lazy rather than potentially a family tragedy occurring.

Question 82

attribute substitution

Answer 82

occurs when individuals must make judgements that are complex, but instead they substitute a simpler solution or apply a heuristic.  Answer less complex questions instead without even realizing it sometimes.  Ex: birds in picture are the same size but the 3D cues affect our interpretation of the image.

Question 83

cultural attribution

Answer 83

 The type of culture an individual is a part of plays a major role in the types of attributions the individual makes individualist: focus on individual, personal goals and independence collectivist: focus on group conformity and interdependence  Individualists make more fundamental attribution errors than those in collectivist cultures.

Question 84

stereotypes

Answer 84

the expectations, impressions, and opinions about the characteristics of members of a group. Actually useful for categorizing and for having expectations of something. o Ex: what a certain cuisine will taste like o Def: occur when attitudes and impressions are based on limited and superficial information about a person or group of individuals.

Question 85

stereotype content model

Answer 85

o Stereotype content model: attempts to classify stereotypes with respect to a hypothetical in-group using two dimensions: warmth and competence.  Warm groups: those that are not in direct competition with the in-group  Competent groups: those that have high status within society  4 combos: paternalistic, contemptuous, envious, admiration

Question 86

stereotype content model: warm groups

Answer 86

those that are not in direct competition with the in-group

Question 87

stereotype content model: competent groups

Answer 87

those that have high status within society

Question 88

stereotype content model: paternalistic

Answer 88

those in which the group is looked down upon as inferior, dismissed, or ignored (high warmth, low competence)

Question 89

stereotype content model: conemptuous

Answer 89

the group is viewed with resentment, annoyance, or anger (low warmth, low competence)

Question 90

stereotype content model: envious

Answer 90

the group is viewed with jealousy, bitterness, or distrust (low warmth, high competence)

Question 91

stereotype content model: admiration

Answer 91

the group is viewed with pride and other positive feelings (high warmth, high competence)

Question 92

self-fulfilling prophecy

Answer 92

conformations of expectations regarding certain groups of individuals.  New surgeons know that people think of them as not being able to tie knots well and thus they are nervous and don’t do it well  completes the self-fulfilling prophecy

Question 93

stereotype threat

Answer 93

the concept of people being concerned or anxious about confirming a negative stereotype about one’s social group  Ex: woman driving  Due to awareness of stereotypes, individuals may perform worse or avoid performance altogether.  Depends on how strongly one identifies with a particular stereotype.  May create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Question 94

prejudice

Answer 94

overall attitude and emotional response to a group, an irrational positive or negative attitude toward a person, group, or thing, prior to an actual experience with that entity. o Can be prejudiced about a car brand, objects, races, or even environments.

Question 95

propaganda

Answer 95

way in which large organizations and political groups attempt to create prejudices in others.

Question 96

what are the social factors that influence prejudice

Answer 96

 Power: the ability of people or groups to achieve goals despite any obstacles, and their ability to control resources.  Prestige: the level of respect shown to a person by others.  Class: socioeconomic status

Question 97

power

Answer 97

prejudice | the ability of people or groups to achieve goals despite any obstacles, and their ability to control resources.

Question 98

prestige

Answer 98

prejudice | the level of respect shown to a person by others.

Question 99

class

Answer 99

prejudice person by others.  Class: socioeconomic

Question 100

ethnocentrism

Answer 100

the practice of making judgements about other cultures based on the values and beliefs of one’s own culture, especially when it comes to language, customs, and religion. o Ethnic pride or violent supremacy groups

Question 101

in-group

Answer 101

a social group in which a person experiences a sense of belonging or identifies as a member.

Question 102

out-group

Answer 102

a social group with which an individual does not identify.  Dislike toward out-group might just be out of favoritism of the in group.

Question 103

cultural relativism

Answer 103

to avoid ethnocentrism, the perception of another culture as different from one’s own, but with the recognition that the cultural values, mores, and rules of a culture fit into that culture itself.  One culture is not superior, they are all just different.

Question 104

discrimination

Answer 104

differences in actions toward different groups, occurs when prejudicial attitudes cause individuals of a particular group to be treated differently from others. o Discrimination is carrying out behaviors that reflect prejudiced attitudes.

Question 105

just because there is ____ does not mean there is ____

Answer 105

prejudice | discrimination

Question 106

individual discrimination

Answer 106

one person discriminating against a particular person or group • Conscious and obvious, just address the person.

Question 107

institutional discrimination

Answer 107

the discrimination against a particular person or group by an entire institution. • Built into the structure of society. • Perpetuated by maintaining the status quo.

Question 108

Does outward appearance play a role in attraction?

Answer 108

yes

Question 109

humans are attracted to individuals with certain body proportions approximating the _____

Answer 109

golden ratio

Question 110

does all aggression cause bodily harm?

Answer 110

no, insults or gestures

Question 111

what are the benefits of aggression?

Answer 111

it can lead to the avoidance of threat, access to resources, or passing on of one's genes

Question 112

the amygdala is responsible for _______ threat

Answer 112

telling us whether or not something is a threat

Question 113

relationship between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala and aggression

Answer 113

the prefrontal cortex can calm down an activated amygdala to reduce aggression

Question 114

how do hormones contribute to aggression?

Answer 114

more testosterone = more aggression

Question 115

what is the name for the the model that explains the following: riots are more likely to occur on hot days

Answer 115

cognitive neoassociation model | more likely to act aggressively under certain conditions (tired, sick, frustrated, in pain, uncomfortable)

Question 116

what is a synonym for material support?

Answer 116

tangible support

Question 117

how do humans differ from animals in terms of mating?

Answer 117

no dominant system, some reliance on social stuff | have formal relationships too

Question 118

phenotypic benefits vs. indicator traits

Answer 118

phenotypic is more genetic

Question 119

the hawk and dove coexist as evolutionary stable strategies if _____

Answer 119

neither has the advantage: cost of fighting is not so high and value of resources is not so high

Question 120

for behavior to be considered aggressive does it have to have the intent to cause harm?

Answer 120

no, it could be to increase relative social dominance

Question 121

what preference does a child with avoidant attachment show for caregiver or stranger

Answer 121

does not care

Question 122

______ allows us to explain and understand the behavior of others

Answer 122

attribution

Question 123

what is the self-serving bias used to protect?

Answer 123

our self-esteem

Question 124

individuals with ____ self esteem are more likely to perform self-serving bias

Answer 124

high

Question 125

if a person's behavior deviates from what is socially expected then we are likely to make a ____ attribution about them

Answer 125

dispositional

Question 126

if a person's behavior changes based on the situation, we are likely to make a ____ attribution to explain it

Answer 126

situational

Question 127

individualists are more likely to attribute behavior to ____ factors whereas collectivists are more likely to attribute behavior to _____

Answer 127

dispositional | situational

Question 128

does positive prejudices exist?

Answer 128

yes | prejudice: attitude/affective

Question 129

power, prestige, and class all influence prejudice through unequal distribution of ___, ____, and _____

Answer 129

wealth, influence, and resources