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Behavioral Science Flashcards

7 cards from real NBME practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Behavioral Science flashcards as text

  1. A new drug reduces the absolute risk of myocardial infarction from 4% to 2% over 5 years. The number needed to treat (NNT) is:

    Answer: 50

    NNT = 1 / absolute risk reduction = 1 / (0.04 − 0.02) = 1 / 0.02 = 50.

  2. A study finds that coffee drinkers have higher rates of pancreatic cancer. However, coffee drinkers also smoke more. Smoking is best described as a:

    Answer: Confounder

    A confounder is associated with both the exposure and the outcome, potentially distorting the observed relationship.

  3. A medical student channels her anxiety about the upcoming board exam into long hours of productive studying. This defense mechanism is best described as:

    Answer: Sublimation

    Sublimation redirects unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable, constructive activities.

  4. A child watches an adult strike a Bobo doll and later imitates the aggressive behavior without direct reinforcement. This best supports which learning theory?

    Answer: Social learning theory (Bandura)

    Bandura's social learning theory holds that behavior can be acquired through observation and imitation without direct reinforcement.

  5. A homeless man seeks shelter but has not eaten in two days. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which level must be satisfied first before higher needs can be addressed?

    Answer: Physiological needs

    Physiological needs (food, water, shelter, sleep) form the base of Maslow's hierarchy and must be met before any higher-order needs.

  6. A patient begins treating her therapist as though he were her critical father, recreating childhood emotional conflicts in therapy. This phenomenon is called:

    Answer: Transference

    Transference occurs when a patient unconsciously redirects feelings about a past significant figure onto the therapist.

  7. Early detection of prostate cancer by PSA screening leads to an apparent increase in 5-year survival, even though the screening does not actually change the time of death. This is best explained by:

    Answer: Lead-time bias

    Lead-time bias occurs when screening advances the time of diagnosis without altering prognosis, creating an illusion of improved survival.