MCAT Psychology and Sociology
Review | Latest Update | 2024/2025 |
100% Verified
What is the fundamental attribution error in social psychology?
✔✔The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to overemphasize dispositional factors and
underestimate situational factors when explaining others' behavior.
Describe the role of the prefrontal cortex in decision-making.
✔✔The prefrontal cortex is involved in complex cognitive functions, such as decision-making,
planning, and moderating social behavior, by integrating information and considering future
consequences.
What is the concept of operant conditioning, and who is associated with it?
✔✔Operant conditioning is a learning process where behavior is shaped by reinforcement or
punishment, and it is primarily associated with B.F. Skinner.
1
,Explain the difference between fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence.
✔✔Fluid intelligence refers to the ability to think logically and solve new problems
independently of acquired knowledge, while crystallized intelligence involves using learned
skills and knowledge.
What is the purpose of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating mental disorders?
✔✔Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to change maladaptive thought patterns and
behaviors by challenging and modifying negative beliefs and encouraging healthier behaviors.
Describe the significance of the Stanford prison experiment in understanding social roles.
✔✔The Stanford prison experiment demonstrated the powerful influence of social roles and
situational factors on behavior, showing how people can conform to roles in ways that contradict
their personal values.
What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
2
,✔✔Intrinsic motivation arises from internal satisfaction or interest in the activity itself, while
extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards or avoidance of punishment.
Explain the concept of social facilitation.
✔✔Social facilitation is the tendency for individuals to perform better on simple or well-
practiced tasks in the presence of others, but worse on complex or unfamiliar tasks.
What is the role of the amygdala in emotional processing?
✔✔The amygdala is involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and aggression, and plays
a key role in forming emotional memories.
Describe how social identity theory explains group behavior.
✔✔Social identity theory suggests that individuals derive a sense of self from their group
memberships, leading to in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination based on group
identity.
3
, absolute poverty ✔✔inability to meet a bare minimum of basic necessities, including clean
drinking water, food, safe housing, and reliable access to healthcare
acetylcholine (ACh) ✔✔the neurotransmitter used at the neuromuscular junction, throughout the
PNS and by the preganglionic neurons of the SNS
acetylcholinesterase ✔✔the enzyme that breaks down ACh in the synaptic cleft
achieved status ✔✔statuses that are considered to be due largely to an individual's efforts
acquisition ✔✔in classical conditioning, the process of learning the association between a
conditioned stimulus and response
action potential ✔✔localized change in the neuron's membrane potential that propagates away
from its point of origin. All-or-none processes mediated by the opening of voltage gated sodium
and potassium channels when the membrane is brought to threshold potential; opening of sodium
channels causes characteristic depolarization, while opening sodium channels repolarizes the
membrane
4
Review | Latest Update | 2024/2025 |
100% Verified
What is the fundamental attribution error in social psychology?
✔✔The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to overemphasize dispositional factors and
underestimate situational factors when explaining others' behavior.
Describe the role of the prefrontal cortex in decision-making.
✔✔The prefrontal cortex is involved in complex cognitive functions, such as decision-making,
planning, and moderating social behavior, by integrating information and considering future
consequences.
What is the concept of operant conditioning, and who is associated with it?
✔✔Operant conditioning is a learning process where behavior is shaped by reinforcement or
punishment, and it is primarily associated with B.F. Skinner.
1
,Explain the difference between fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence.
✔✔Fluid intelligence refers to the ability to think logically and solve new problems
independently of acquired knowledge, while crystallized intelligence involves using learned
skills and knowledge.
What is the purpose of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating mental disorders?
✔✔Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to change maladaptive thought patterns and
behaviors by challenging and modifying negative beliefs and encouraging healthier behaviors.
Describe the significance of the Stanford prison experiment in understanding social roles.
✔✔The Stanford prison experiment demonstrated the powerful influence of social roles and
situational factors on behavior, showing how people can conform to roles in ways that contradict
their personal values.
What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
2
,✔✔Intrinsic motivation arises from internal satisfaction or interest in the activity itself, while
extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards or avoidance of punishment.
Explain the concept of social facilitation.
✔✔Social facilitation is the tendency for individuals to perform better on simple or well-
practiced tasks in the presence of others, but worse on complex or unfamiliar tasks.
What is the role of the amygdala in emotional processing?
✔✔The amygdala is involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and aggression, and plays
a key role in forming emotional memories.
Describe how social identity theory explains group behavior.
✔✔Social identity theory suggests that individuals derive a sense of self from their group
memberships, leading to in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination based on group
identity.
3
, absolute poverty ✔✔inability to meet a bare minimum of basic necessities, including clean
drinking water, food, safe housing, and reliable access to healthcare
acetylcholine (ACh) ✔✔the neurotransmitter used at the neuromuscular junction, throughout the
PNS and by the preganglionic neurons of the SNS
acetylcholinesterase ✔✔the enzyme that breaks down ACh in the synaptic cleft
achieved status ✔✔statuses that are considered to be due largely to an individual's efforts
acquisition ✔✔in classical conditioning, the process of learning the association between a
conditioned stimulus and response
action potential ✔✔localized change in the neuron's membrane potential that propagates away
from its point of origin. All-or-none processes mediated by the opening of voltage gated sodium
and potassium channels when the membrane is brought to threshold potential; opening of sodium
channels causes characteristic depolarization, while opening sodium channels repolarizes the
membrane
4
