MCAT- Test #5 Psychology and
Sociology Questions and Answers
Combining the results of the two studies, which intervention would likely lead to the greatest
reduction in anxiety? - CORRECT ANSWERS -Specimens with highly methylated sites 16 & 17
being reared with attentive mothers
According to the passage and Figure 1, sites 16 and 17 especially serve as indicators of stress,
typically from neglectful parenting. Switching mothers had the effect of mitigating that stress.
The study cited supports which theory of emotion? (Q#5) - CORRECT ANSWERS -The Schachter-
Singer theory
This question requires the reader to interpret the graph. In the study, all participants were
given an injection of adrenaline. Thus, a physiological response was induced. When participants
were exposed to a stimulus, the emotional condition, they had different levels of emotional
response based on what type of information they received. Taken together, we see a
physiological response paired with an interpretation of it. This describes the Schacter-Singer
theory.
James-Lange Theory - CORRECT ANSWERS -the theory that emotion results from physiological
states triggered by stimuli in the environment
For example, if you are watching a scary movie, your heart rate may become elevated, and that
leads to the perception of fear. However, this theory is limited, since certain physiological
states may be experienced as different emotions depending on context (such as either fear or
excitement).
Cannon-Bard Theory - CORRECT ANSWERS -the theory that an emotion-arousing stimulus
simultaneously triggers (1) physiological responses and (2) the subjective experience of
emotion
According to the James-Lange theory of emotion, which system is activated preceding
emotional respon - CORRECT ANSWERS -The autonomic nervous system
, The autonomic nervous system controls physiological responses, which precede emotional
response under the James-Lange theory.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) - CORRECT ANSWERS -the part of the peripheral nervous
system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its
sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms.
Somatic Nervous System (SNS) - CORRECT ANSWERS -A subdivision of the peripheral nervous
system. Enables voluntary actions to be undertaken due to its control of skeletal muscles
The somatic nervous system consists of afferent nerves or sensory nerves, and efferent nerves
or motor nerves.
The results of the study suggest that a likely factor contributing to participants' emotional
response was: - CORRECT ANSWERS -Misattribution of arousal.
The subjects who were uninformed about the potential effects of the adrenaline injection
incorrectly thought that they were emotionally responding to the arousing situation. This
perfectly constitutes misattribution of arousal, as the subjects attributed their arousal to the
wrong cause.
Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE) - CORRECT ANSWERS -Involves the attribution of other
individuals' actions to their personalities. For example, if someone drives too fast on the
freeway, we may attribute this behavior to recklessness or carelessness. This is not applicable
here, as participants were not asked to determine the causes of the behavior of others.
Availability heuristic - CORRECT ANSWERS -Refers to the overvaluing of information that is
readily available
Making a decision based on the answer that most easily comes to mind
If all of the subjects of the study did so on a voluntary basis, what type of organization would
that be? - CORRECT ANSWERS -A normative organization
The three general types of organizations are coercive, normative, and utilitarian. Because these
subjects are volunteering, they are participating in a normative organization.
Mimetic organizations are ones that just attempt to copy another organization.
Sociology Questions and Answers
Combining the results of the two studies, which intervention would likely lead to the greatest
reduction in anxiety? - CORRECT ANSWERS -Specimens with highly methylated sites 16 & 17
being reared with attentive mothers
According to the passage and Figure 1, sites 16 and 17 especially serve as indicators of stress,
typically from neglectful parenting. Switching mothers had the effect of mitigating that stress.
The study cited supports which theory of emotion? (Q#5) - CORRECT ANSWERS -The Schachter-
Singer theory
This question requires the reader to interpret the graph. In the study, all participants were
given an injection of adrenaline. Thus, a physiological response was induced. When participants
were exposed to a stimulus, the emotional condition, they had different levels of emotional
response based on what type of information they received. Taken together, we see a
physiological response paired with an interpretation of it. This describes the Schacter-Singer
theory.
James-Lange Theory - CORRECT ANSWERS -the theory that emotion results from physiological
states triggered by stimuli in the environment
For example, if you are watching a scary movie, your heart rate may become elevated, and that
leads to the perception of fear. However, this theory is limited, since certain physiological
states may be experienced as different emotions depending on context (such as either fear or
excitement).
Cannon-Bard Theory - CORRECT ANSWERS -the theory that an emotion-arousing stimulus
simultaneously triggers (1) physiological responses and (2) the subjective experience of
emotion
According to the James-Lange theory of emotion, which system is activated preceding
emotional respon - CORRECT ANSWERS -The autonomic nervous system
, The autonomic nervous system controls physiological responses, which precede emotional
response under the James-Lange theory.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) - CORRECT ANSWERS -the part of the peripheral nervous
system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its
sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms.
Somatic Nervous System (SNS) - CORRECT ANSWERS -A subdivision of the peripheral nervous
system. Enables voluntary actions to be undertaken due to its control of skeletal muscles
The somatic nervous system consists of afferent nerves or sensory nerves, and efferent nerves
or motor nerves.
The results of the study suggest that a likely factor contributing to participants' emotional
response was: - CORRECT ANSWERS -Misattribution of arousal.
The subjects who were uninformed about the potential effects of the adrenaline injection
incorrectly thought that they were emotionally responding to the arousing situation. This
perfectly constitutes misattribution of arousal, as the subjects attributed their arousal to the
wrong cause.
Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE) - CORRECT ANSWERS -Involves the attribution of other
individuals' actions to their personalities. For example, if someone drives too fast on the
freeway, we may attribute this behavior to recklessness or carelessness. This is not applicable
here, as participants were not asked to determine the causes of the behavior of others.
Availability heuristic - CORRECT ANSWERS -Refers to the overvaluing of information that is
readily available
Making a decision based on the answer that most easily comes to mind
If all of the subjects of the study did so on a voluntary basis, what type of organization would
that be? - CORRECT ANSWERS -A normative organization
The three general types of organizations are coercive, normative, and utilitarian. Because these
subjects are volunteering, they are participating in a normative organization.
Mimetic organizations are ones that just attempt to copy another organization.
