AAMC Exam 2 Psychological, Social,
and Biological Foundations of
Behavior Correct Answers
When comparing the color perception of humans and baboons, similarity in which anatomical
structure of the eye is most important?
A.
Optic disc
B.
Sclera
C.
Fovea
D.
Lens - CORRECT ANSWERS -Solution: The correct answer is C.
This is a Biology question that falls under the content category "Sensing the environment." The
answer to the question is C because the fovea is directly involved in color sensation and its
distribution of receptors varies across different species. It is a Knowledge of Scientific Concepts
and Principles question because it requires you to understand the structure and function of the
eye.
If the researchers monitored the cortical activity of the baboons as they viewed the color
patches, they would most likely find increased activity in the:
A.
occipital cortex.
B.
temporal cortex.
C.
somatosensory cortex.
D.
,motor cortex. - CORRECT ANSWERS -Solution: The correct answer is A.
This is a Biology question that falls under the content category "Individual influences on
behavior." The answer to the question is A because the occipital lobes are responsible for
vision, including color vision. It is a Knowledge of Scientific Concepts and Principles question
because it requires you to understand the functions of different cortical areas.
Which historical factor primarily accounts for the projected increase in the population aged 65
and older in the United States?
A.
The increased immigration rate since the 1950s
B.
The increased fertility rate after World War II
C.
The sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s
D.
The relative deprivation of the Great Depression - CORRECT ANSWERS -Solution: The correct
answer is B.
This is a Sociology question that falls under the content category "Demographic characteristics
and processes." The answer to this question is B. The increasing share of the population over
the age of 65 primarily stems from the baby boomers, the post-World War II generation in the
United States and Canada. Birth rates were relatively high for almost two decades after World
War II. Demographers define the baby boom generation as those individuals born between
approximately 1946 and 1964. The baby boom generation is the main sociohistorical factor that
explains the projection in the passage about the increasing share of the population over 65
years of age. It is a Scientific Reasoning and Problem Solving question because it requires
reasoning with historical factors that explain the important demographic trend of population
aging.
To explain the demographic dynamics in the passage, a conflict theorist is most likely to
consider the relationship among which factors?
A.
Age, medicalization, and the illness experience
B.
Generational status, social solidarity, and the welfare state
, C.
Age, social isolation, and networks of social support
D.
Generational status, political power, and resource allocation - CORRECT ANSWERS -Solution:
The correct answer is D.
This is a Sociology question that falls under the content category "Understanding social
structure." The answer to this question is D. The sociological paradigm of conflict theory
broadly calls attention to competition among social groups, including generational conflict.
Given the demographic dynamics raised in the passage, it is likely that competition over
resources will emerge between the old and the young (for example, public support of health
care versus education, each of which tends to benefit one age group more than the other). A
conflict theorist would be interested in explaining how political power varies by generational
status and thus affects the allocation of social resources. It is a Scientific Reasoning and
Problem Solving question because it involves reasoning with a major theoretical perspective in
sociology in order to select the set of concepts that best applies a specific theory to the
passage.
The aging of the U.S. population is most likely to increase:
A.
the dependency ratio.
B.
the social gradient in health.
C.
the life course perspective.
D.
the intersectionality of medicine. - CORRECT ANSWERS -Solution: The correct answer is A.
This is a Sociology question that falls under the content category "Demographic characteristics
and processes." The answer to this question is A. The dependency ratio is a ratio of the number
of economically dependent members of the population to the number of economically
productive members. The economically dependent are those considered too young or too old
to work, whereas the economically productive are the working-age population (approximately
between the ages of 18 and 65). It is a Knowledge of Scientific Concepts and Principles question
because it requires identifying the concept that is most relevant to demographic trends.
and Biological Foundations of
Behavior Correct Answers
When comparing the color perception of humans and baboons, similarity in which anatomical
structure of the eye is most important?
A.
Optic disc
B.
Sclera
C.
Fovea
D.
Lens - CORRECT ANSWERS -Solution: The correct answer is C.
This is a Biology question that falls under the content category "Sensing the environment." The
answer to the question is C because the fovea is directly involved in color sensation and its
distribution of receptors varies across different species. It is a Knowledge of Scientific Concepts
and Principles question because it requires you to understand the structure and function of the
eye.
If the researchers monitored the cortical activity of the baboons as they viewed the color
patches, they would most likely find increased activity in the:
A.
occipital cortex.
B.
temporal cortex.
C.
somatosensory cortex.
D.
,motor cortex. - CORRECT ANSWERS -Solution: The correct answer is A.
This is a Biology question that falls under the content category "Individual influences on
behavior." The answer to the question is A because the occipital lobes are responsible for
vision, including color vision. It is a Knowledge of Scientific Concepts and Principles question
because it requires you to understand the functions of different cortical areas.
Which historical factor primarily accounts for the projected increase in the population aged 65
and older in the United States?
A.
The increased immigration rate since the 1950s
B.
The increased fertility rate after World War II
C.
The sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s
D.
The relative deprivation of the Great Depression - CORRECT ANSWERS -Solution: The correct
answer is B.
This is a Sociology question that falls under the content category "Demographic characteristics
and processes." The answer to this question is B. The increasing share of the population over
the age of 65 primarily stems from the baby boomers, the post-World War II generation in the
United States and Canada. Birth rates were relatively high for almost two decades after World
War II. Demographers define the baby boom generation as those individuals born between
approximately 1946 and 1964. The baby boom generation is the main sociohistorical factor that
explains the projection in the passage about the increasing share of the population over 65
years of age. It is a Scientific Reasoning and Problem Solving question because it requires
reasoning with historical factors that explain the important demographic trend of population
aging.
To explain the demographic dynamics in the passage, a conflict theorist is most likely to
consider the relationship among which factors?
A.
Age, medicalization, and the illness experience
B.
Generational status, social solidarity, and the welfare state
, C.
Age, social isolation, and networks of social support
D.
Generational status, political power, and resource allocation - CORRECT ANSWERS -Solution:
The correct answer is D.
This is a Sociology question that falls under the content category "Understanding social
structure." The answer to this question is D. The sociological paradigm of conflict theory
broadly calls attention to competition among social groups, including generational conflict.
Given the demographic dynamics raised in the passage, it is likely that competition over
resources will emerge between the old and the young (for example, public support of health
care versus education, each of which tends to benefit one age group more than the other). A
conflict theorist would be interested in explaining how political power varies by generational
status and thus affects the allocation of social resources. It is a Scientific Reasoning and
Problem Solving question because it involves reasoning with a major theoretical perspective in
sociology in order to select the set of concepts that best applies a specific theory to the
passage.
The aging of the U.S. population is most likely to increase:
A.
the dependency ratio.
B.
the social gradient in health.
C.
the life course perspective.
D.
the intersectionality of medicine. - CORRECT ANSWERS -Solution: The correct answer is A.
This is a Sociology question that falls under the content category "Demographic characteristics
and processes." The answer to this question is A. The dependency ratio is a ratio of the number
of economically dependent members of the population to the number of economically
productive members. The economically dependent are those considered too young or too old
to work, whereas the economically productive are the working-age population (approximately
between the ages of 18 and 65). It is a Knowledge of Scientific Concepts and Principles question
because it requires identifying the concept that is most relevant to demographic trends.
