B MCAT - Psyc Social Flashcards
Paternalism
Idea that people with high SES or authority have more right to make decisions than others.
(e.g. A doctor “knows what’s best” for a patient of low SES and presents limited choices.)
Meritocracy
Belief that reward should be bestowed on the most talented or accomplished members of a group.
the nativist theory of language
Humans have an innate capacity for language.
Identification
Outwardly accepting the ideas of others, even if you don’t believe them yourself.
Internalization
Changing behavior to fit the group, while also privately agreeing with the group.
obedience
changing one’s behavior in response to a direct order from an authority figure.
compliance
changing one’s behavior based on a direct request.
Cohort study
Observational study in which a cohort is studied over time.
Randomized control study
Two group: one receives treatment, the other a placebo. Great for showing causality.
Case-control study
Observational study in which participants are divided into two groups based on outcome, then studied retrospectively.
Cross-sectional study
Patients surveyed at a snapshot in time.
Cluster A personality disorders
behavior patterns labeled as odd or ecentric (e.g. magical thinking)
Cluster B personality disorders
behavior patterns labeled as dramatic, emotional, or erratic (e.g. antisocial behavior)
Cluster C personality disorders
anxious or fearful behavior patterns
general personality disorders
umbrella term referring to prolonged patterns of behavior deviant to social norms and expectations and impairs functioning.
characteristics of psychopathy
callousness, manipulation, volatility, aggression, impulsivity, high emotional reactivity
inductive reasoning vs. top-down reasoning
Inductive reasoning starts with specific context and attempts to draw a conclusion in a more general context.
Top-down reasoning does the opposite–starts with general and narrows to a more specific conclusion.
Demographic Transition Theory
Stage I: preindustrial society; high birth and high death rates
Stage II: economic progress and social progress lead to high birth rates and low death rates = population growth
Stage III: improvements in contraception, women’s rights, and an economy shift lead to decline in birth rates and population growth
Stage IV: Industrialized society; low and steady birth and death rates
attenuated
lessoned, less of
2 components of self-concept
1) Identity–group identities that we affiliate ourselves with (how others see us).
2) Self-evaluation–How we see ourselves.
Define data collection methods:
field study
secondary analysis
content analysis
experimental
field study - researchers collect their own data
secondary analysis - A type of data collection that takes previously collected data and applies it to a new study.
content analysis - qualitative examining of film, newspapers, etc.
experimental - these studies introduce an intervention (vs. observational)
Concepts of Sociologist Tonnies
Gesellschaft - impersonal and indirect interactions, such as in a business or organization.
Gemeinschaft -sense of belonging in a community.
mechanical and organic solidarity definitions
Mechanical Solidarity - sense of cohesion because of similar characteristics, education level, shared value, etc.
Organic Solidarity - cohesion based on reliance to perform specific tasks within a society.
anomie
Anomie is a mismatch of social norms; sense of instability resulting from a breakdown of social standards or values. First coined by sociologist Emil Dirkheim.
E.g. An individual feels normlessness when their neighborhood is gentrified and many neighbors move because they can no longer afford the rent.
