Khan Academy MCAT Psych/Soc | Latest
Update | 2024/2025 | Rated A+
What is the "looking-glass self" theory in sociology?
✔✔The "looking-glass self" theory, developed by Charles Cooley, suggests that an individual's
self-concept is shaped by how they believe others perceive them.
Explain the concept of "groupthink" in decision-making.
✔✔Groupthink occurs when a group prioritizes consensus over critical analysis, leading to poor
decision-making due to the suppression of dissenting viewpoints.
What is the "Hawthorne effect" in psychological research?
✔✔The Hawthorne effect refers to the phenomenon where individuals alter their behavior in
response to being observed or knowing they are part of an experiment.
Describe the difference between "role conflict" and "role strain."
1
,✔✔Role conflict occurs when an individual faces incompatible demands from different social
roles, while role strain arises from competing demands within the same role.
What is the significance of "social capital" in sociology?
✔✔Social capital refers to the resources and benefits individuals gain from their social networks
and relationships, which can enhance opportunities and support within a community.
Explain "cognitive dissonance" and how it affects behavior.
✔✔Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort experienced when holding contradictory
beliefs or attitudes, often leading individuals to change their attitudes or behaviors to reduce the
inconsistency.
What is the concept of "stereotype threat," and how does it impact performance?
2
,✔✔Stereotype threat occurs when individuals fear confirming negative stereotypes about their
social group, which can lead to anxiety and reduced performance in situations where the
stereotype is relevant.
Describe the "socioeconomic gradient in health" and its implications.
✔✔The socioeconomic gradient in health refers to the observation that individuals with lower
socioeconomic status tend to have worse health outcomes, highlighting the impact of social and
economic factors on health.
What is "ethnocentrism," and how does it affect social interactions?
✔✔Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own culture as superior and to judge other
cultures by the standards of one's own, often leading to misunderstandings and prejudice.
Explain the "fundamental attribution error" in social psychology.
✔✔The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to overemphasize personal characteristics
and underestimate situational factors when explaining someone else's behavior.
3
, What is the "bystander effect" and how does it influence behavior in emergencies?
✔✔The bystander effect is the phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help in an
emergency when others are present, often due to the diffusion of responsibility.
Describe the concept of "social loafing" and its impact on group work.
✔✔Social loafing occurs when individuals exert less effort in a group setting compared to when
working alone, leading to reduced productivity and effectiveness in group tasks.
What does "self-fulfilling prophecy" mean in social psychology?
✔✔A self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when a belief or expectation about a person or situation
leads to behaviors that cause the belief to come true.
Explain the concept of "in-group favoritism" and its effects on group dynamics.
4
Update | 2024/2025 | Rated A+
What is the "looking-glass self" theory in sociology?
✔✔The "looking-glass self" theory, developed by Charles Cooley, suggests that an individual's
self-concept is shaped by how they believe others perceive them.
Explain the concept of "groupthink" in decision-making.
✔✔Groupthink occurs when a group prioritizes consensus over critical analysis, leading to poor
decision-making due to the suppression of dissenting viewpoints.
What is the "Hawthorne effect" in psychological research?
✔✔The Hawthorne effect refers to the phenomenon where individuals alter their behavior in
response to being observed or knowing they are part of an experiment.
Describe the difference between "role conflict" and "role strain."
1
,✔✔Role conflict occurs when an individual faces incompatible demands from different social
roles, while role strain arises from competing demands within the same role.
What is the significance of "social capital" in sociology?
✔✔Social capital refers to the resources and benefits individuals gain from their social networks
and relationships, which can enhance opportunities and support within a community.
Explain "cognitive dissonance" and how it affects behavior.
✔✔Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort experienced when holding contradictory
beliefs or attitudes, often leading individuals to change their attitudes or behaviors to reduce the
inconsistency.
What is the concept of "stereotype threat," and how does it impact performance?
2
,✔✔Stereotype threat occurs when individuals fear confirming negative stereotypes about their
social group, which can lead to anxiety and reduced performance in situations where the
stereotype is relevant.
Describe the "socioeconomic gradient in health" and its implications.
✔✔The socioeconomic gradient in health refers to the observation that individuals with lower
socioeconomic status tend to have worse health outcomes, highlighting the impact of social and
economic factors on health.
What is "ethnocentrism," and how does it affect social interactions?
✔✔Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own culture as superior and to judge other
cultures by the standards of one's own, often leading to misunderstandings and prejudice.
Explain the "fundamental attribution error" in social psychology.
✔✔The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to overemphasize personal characteristics
and underestimate situational factors when explaining someone else's behavior.
3
, What is the "bystander effect" and how does it influence behavior in emergencies?
✔✔The bystander effect is the phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help in an
emergency when others are present, often due to the diffusion of responsibility.
Describe the concept of "social loafing" and its impact on group work.
✔✔Social loafing occurs when individuals exert less effort in a group setting compared to when
working alone, leading to reduced productivity and effectiveness in group tasks.
What does "self-fulfilling prophecy" mean in social psychology?
✔✔A self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when a belief or expectation about a person or situation
leads to behaviors that cause the belief to come true.
Explain the concept of "in-group favoritism" and its effects on group dynamics.
4
