MCAT Psychology 3

Question 1

Which theory of emotion proposes that physiological arousal and the cognitive label applied to that arousal together produce the emotional experience?

Accepted Answer

Schachter-Singer two-factor theory

Answer

The Schachter-Singer two-factor theory holds that emotion = physiological arousal + cognitive label assigned to explain that arousal.

Question 2

A surgeon who has operated thousands of times can perform routine incisions while simultaneously planning the next surgical step. This demonstrates which concept?

Accepted Answer

Automaticity through procedural learning

Answer

Automaticity occurs when a skill becomes so well-practiced it requires minimal conscious attention, freeing cognitive resources for other tasks.

Question 3

In Milgram's obedience studies, the factor most effective at reducing participants' compliance with authority was:

Accepted Answer

Having two confederates refuse to continue

Answer

When confederates modeling defiance were present, obedience rates dropped dramatically, showing social support for resistance reduces compliance.

Question 4

A child who can only understand the world from their own perspective and has difficulty recognizing that others have different viewpoints is exhibiting:

Accepted Answer

Egocentrism

Answer

Egocentrism, characteristic of Piaget's preoperational stage, is the inability to adopt another's perspective or recognize that others see things differently.

Question 5

According to signal detection theory, a radiologist who sets a very liberal criterion to catch all cancers, even at the cost of many false positives, is said to have:

Accepted Answer

A lenient criterion (low beta) producing many false alarms

Answer

A lenient (low beta) criterion means the observer says 'yes' (signal present) even when uncertain, resulting in many hits but also many false alarms.

MCAT - Medical College Admission Test Practice Test

MCAT - Medical College Admission Test Practice Test

MCAT Psychology 3