(Psychological, Social, and Biological) Flashcards
7 cards from real MCAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 (Psychological, Social, and Biological) flashcards as text
A sociologist observes that people in higher socioeconomic classes have better access to healthcare, education, and nutrition. This pattern is best explained by which concept?
Answer: Social stratification
Social stratification refers to the hierarchical ranking of individuals or groups in society based on wealth, power, and prestige, leading to differential access to resources.
Which of the following best describes the 'fundamental attribution error'?
Answer: Overestimating dispositional factors and underestimating situational factors when explaining others' behavior
The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to overweight internal (dispositional) factors and underweight situational factors when judging others' behavior.
The autonomic nervous system's parasympathetic branch is characterized by which neurotransmitter at the target organ?
Answer: Acetylcholine
Parasympathetic postganglionic neurons release acetylcholine onto target organs, mediating 'rest-and-digest' functions.
According to Erikson's psychosocial stages, the central conflict of adolescence is:
Answer: Identity vs. Role Confusion
During adolescence (ages 12–18), Erikson's stage centers on forming a coherent identity versus experiencing confusion about one's role in society.
A study finds that people perform better on simple tasks when others are present, but worse on complex tasks. This phenomenon is called:
Answer: Social facilitation
Social facilitation refers to the tendency for the presence of others to enhance performance on well-learned tasks and impair performance on difficult or novel tasks.
Which of the following hormones is released by the adrenal medulla during the acute stress response?
Answer: Epinephrine
The adrenal medulla releases epinephrine (and norepinephrine) as part of the fight-or-flight response, rapidly mobilizing energy and increasing heart rate.
Which sensory system is primarily responsible for detecting the body's position and movement in space?
Answer: Proprioceptive system
Proprioception involves sensory receptors in muscles, tendons, and joints that signal body position and movement to the central nervous system.