MCAT Practice Exam 4 (Psych/ Soc)
Questions and Answers
Question 1
The concept of medicalization is most directly relevant to which passage statement?
A. Research conducted with populations in LMICs is generally less extensive than
research with populations of HICs.
B. Although commonly prescribed in HICs, antidepressant medications may not be
supported by sufficient evidence to justify the cost in LMICs.
C. The prevalence of dementia is higher in HICs than in LMICs, which is likely because
of underreporting in LMICs.
D. When interventions from HICs are applied to LMICs, emphasis should be placed on
framing excessive alcohol use as a treatable disorder.
Correct Answer
D. This option is most relevant to the concept of medicalization, the process in
which a social problem comes to be defined as a disease or disorder. The focus on
alcohol use as a treatable disorder raises the concept of medicalization more
directly than the other options.
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, Question 2
A researcher hypothesizes that the gender gap described in the passage is due to
gender socialization. Which statement provides the best explanation for how gender
socialization might affect drinking behavior?
A. Young men learn norms that encourage high-risk behaviors.
B. Young men learn values that emphasize cooperative behaviors.
C. Young women learn norms that encourage high-risk behaviors.
D. Young women learn values that emphasize cooperative behaviors.
Passage: "Research has found gender differences in alcohol consumption among
adolescents and young adults. Compared to young women, young men report
drinking more often, as well as consuming more alcohol on occasions when they
drink"
Correct Answer
A. Gender socialization refers to the learning of norms and values associated with
masculinity or femininity. Gender norms related to masculinity include the
encouragement of high-risk behaviors, of which heavy drinking would be an
example.
Question 3
A researcher applying the concept of assimilation to immigrant health would propose
which hypothesis?
An immigrant group's life expectancy will:
A. surpass the majority group's life expectancy over time.
B. approximate the majority group's life expectancy over time.
C. fall behind the majority group's life expectancy over time.
D. maintain the same disparity with the majority group's life expectancy over time.
Correct Answer
B. The concept of assimilation proposes that an immigrant group will eventually
adopt the customs (norms, values, etc.) of the majority group in a society. Because
of taking on such norms over time, the immigrant group's health outcomes
(including life expectancy) would be likely to approximate the majority group's
health outcomes (including life expectancy).
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Questions and Answers
Question 1
The concept of medicalization is most directly relevant to which passage statement?
A. Research conducted with populations in LMICs is generally less extensive than
research with populations of HICs.
B. Although commonly prescribed in HICs, antidepressant medications may not be
supported by sufficient evidence to justify the cost in LMICs.
C. The prevalence of dementia is higher in HICs than in LMICs, which is likely because
of underreporting in LMICs.
D. When interventions from HICs are applied to LMICs, emphasis should be placed on
framing excessive alcohol use as a treatable disorder.
Correct Answer
D. This option is most relevant to the concept of medicalization, the process in
which a social problem comes to be defined as a disease or disorder. The focus on
alcohol use as a treatable disorder raises the concept of medicalization more
directly than the other options.
Page 1 of 14
, Question 2
A researcher hypothesizes that the gender gap described in the passage is due to
gender socialization. Which statement provides the best explanation for how gender
socialization might affect drinking behavior?
A. Young men learn norms that encourage high-risk behaviors.
B. Young men learn values that emphasize cooperative behaviors.
C. Young women learn norms that encourage high-risk behaviors.
D. Young women learn values that emphasize cooperative behaviors.
Passage: "Research has found gender differences in alcohol consumption among
adolescents and young adults. Compared to young women, young men report
drinking more often, as well as consuming more alcohol on occasions when they
drink"
Correct Answer
A. Gender socialization refers to the learning of norms and values associated with
masculinity or femininity. Gender norms related to masculinity include the
encouragement of high-risk behaviors, of which heavy drinking would be an
example.
Question 3
A researcher applying the concept of assimilation to immigrant health would propose
which hypothesis?
An immigrant group's life expectancy will:
A. surpass the majority group's life expectancy over time.
B. approximate the majority group's life expectancy over time.
C. fall behind the majority group's life expectancy over time.
D. maintain the same disparity with the majority group's life expectancy over time.
Correct Answer
B. The concept of assimilation proposes that an immigrant group will eventually
adopt the customs (norms, values, etc.) of the majority group in a society. Because
of taking on such norms over time, the immigrant group's health outcomes
(including life expectancy) would be likely to approximate the majority group's
health outcomes (including life expectancy).
Page 2 of 14
