Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

AK MCAT Review > Psych & Soc > Flashcards

Psych & Soc Flashcards

1
Q

Embedded Field Study

A

Ex. If the researchers posed as patients

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Longitudinal Study

A

Analysis of patients over time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Mediating Variable

A

one that explains the relationship between two other variables

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Moderator Variable

A

one that influences the strength of the relationship between two variables
Ex. Looking at the relationship between social status and testicular self-exam, AGE would be the moderator variable because relation between the two may be stronger for old men and less strong for young men

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Confounding Variable

A

one which is not typically of interest to the researcher, but is an extraneous variable which is related to BOTH the dependent and independent variables

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Cross’s Nigrescence Model of African-American identity

A

African-Americans are described as progressing through several stages of cultural awareness

  1. Pre-encounter: tend to view the majority of Caucasian culture as more desirable and would view a white doctor as being more skilled
  2. Immersion-Emmersion: people would view the Caucasian race with resentment and distrust, and would prefer to be treated by someone that was Black
  3. Internalization Stage: integrated aspects of their own culture with that of the majority culture and working to rectify the past racial injustices
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Frontal Lobe

A

involved in working memory and human’s ability to project future consequences of current actions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Limbic System

A

regulates emotion and memory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Case Control Design

A

compares information about individuals with disease or condition against people without a disease or condition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Cross-Sectional Design

A

examine a group of individuals at one point in time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Randomized Control Trials

A

randomly assigning participants to one of two groups: control group vs. experimental group

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Longitudinal Cohort Design

A

Following a group of participants over time and assessing them for multiple intervals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Social Constructionism

A

examines development of understanding of the world based on shared assumptions of reality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Reconstructive Bias

A

Bias related to memory: may not remember things as well when we are under a high amount of stress

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Social Desirability Bias

A

Bias of how people respond to research questions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Attrition Bias

A

when participants drop out of a long-term experiment or study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Selection Bias

A

Bias related to how people are chosen to participate
Ex. people who have witnessed more unethical behaviors in med school might be more likely to respond to a survey about it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Distress

A

A negative type of stress that builds over time and is bad for your body. Occurs when there is a perceived threatening situation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Eustress

A

A positive type of stress that happens when you perceive a situation as challenging, but motivating

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Neustress

A

When you are exposed to something stressful, but it doesn’t actively or directly affect you.
Ex. when you hear about a natural disaster in another country but your body doesn’t perceive the stress as good or bad

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Schacter-Singer Theory

A

Physiological Arousal –> Cognitively Interpret the Situation –> Experience the Emotion
Ex. Julia pets her cat.
1. Her blood pressure decreases and her brain releases oxytocin
2. She thinks about how much she loves her cat
3. Experiences happiness as a result

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

James-Lange Theory

A

Behavioral and physiological aspects of emotion –> cognitive aspects of emotion
Ex. increased heart rate and shouting make you understand that the situation is scary and make you feels afraid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Cannon-Bard Theory

A

Physiological and cognitive aspects of emotion happen simultaneously and independently –> behavioral expression
Ex. Annabel’s brain released hormones at the same time she interpreted the situation as happy and calm –> Annabel smiled

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Cognitive Dissonance

A

Unpleasant feeling a person experiences when holding two contradictory beliefs at the same time
Ex. A teacher who encouraged his own son to skip college and saving wasted tuition money who rates highly of the importance of higher education
vs.
Someone whose education stopped at 7th grade and no one in their family has attended college (they probably did not get the opportunity to but can still believe that higher education is important without conflicting idea)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Yerkes-Dodson Theory
People tend to perform their best when they are moderately emotionally stimulated
26
Variable-Ratio
-when response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses -produces highest response rates resistant to extinction Ex. Slot Machines
27
Fixed-Ratio
After a certain number response they are rewarded with a reinforcer Ex. answering three questions to recieve a gold star
28
Variable-Interval
Reinforcement is given to a response after varying amounts of time have passed Ex. Checking facebook
29
Fixed-Interval
response is rewarded only after a specific amount of time has elapsed Ex. Paychecks that are given out every two weeks
30
Stroop Effect
phenomenon where it is harder for an individual to reconcile different pieces of information relating to colors than information that is consonant. Ex. RED being written in GREEN ink is harder to recognize than RED written in RED ink
31
External Validity
Generalizability of research to settings beyond the study
32
Criterion Validity
Extent to which a measure is related to an outcome
33
Construct Validity
The degree to which a test actually measures what it claims to measure
34
Discrimination
unfair treatment and harmful actions against others based on their membership in a specific social group
35
Stigma
disapproval attached to disobeying expected norms so a person is discredited as less than normal
36
Prejudice
preconceived opinions or attitudes that are usually negative and not based on any facts or experience -prejudice = attitude; discrimination = action
37
Semantic Memory
memory related to facts and information
38
Conditioned Memory
memory formed between association of two things (i.e. professor rings a bell at the end of class so you know that the bell is a sign the exam is over)
39
Informational Influence
Influence to accept information from others as evidence about reality, comes into play when we are uncertain about information or what might be correct. Ex. what anti-vaxxers are using to get people on their side
40
Normative Influence
Influence to conform with the expectations of others to gain social approval
41
Ingratiation
Attempt to get someone to like you in order to get them to comply with your request
42
Opponent-Process Theory
Sees emotions in pairs and states that when one emotion is experienced the other is suppressed Ex. Fear-Relief, Pleasure-Pain Ex. Motivation for drug use --> increased drug use --> changes in physiology --> results in tolerance and withdrawals
43
Drive-Reduction Theory
Drive is a state of tension or arousal created by biological or physiological needs. Drive creates a tension or unpleasant state that needs to be reduced. Ex. We seek food because we are hungry. Or go to work so we can afford to buy food
44
Expectancy-Value Theory
amount of motivation is based on individual's expectation of success and how much that success is valued
45
Incentive Theory
Motivation that comes from desire to pursue rewards and avoid punishment
46
Self-Determination Theory
Three universal needs that need to be satisfied in order for one to create healthy relationships with others: 1. Autonomy 2. Competence 3. Relatedness
47
Arousal Theory
People perform actions to maintain arousal (staying awake and active to stimuli) -Yerkes-Dodson Law: Performance is best at medium arousal
48
Instinct Theory
People perform certain behaviors out of instinct
49
Approach-Avoidance Conflict
Option with appealing and negative characteristics
50
Double Approach-Avoidance Conflict
Two options with both appealing and negative characteristics Ex. If a jury rules a defendant guilty they would either be punishing a criminal (approach) or punishing someone innocent (avoidant). But if they rule innocent, they could let a criminal walk away (avoidant) or freeing an innocent (approach)
51
Avoidant-Avoidant Conflict
both options are unappealing
52
Asch's Line Experiment Study of Conformity
- Solomon Asch conducted an experiment investigating extent to which social pressure from a majority group could influence a person to conform - Used confederates who were instructed to give incorrect answers regarding lengths of various lines --> then measured number of times each unknowing participant conformed to the majority view - Confederates never provided an explanation for their choices to the group
53
Cialdini's 6 Principles of Persuasion
1. providing a favor (reciprocity) 2. Being likable 3. social proof (that lots of people have your opinion) 4. Obtaining a written commitment of agreement from a juror 5. Consistency: pressure to behave within own words and actions 6. Scarcity: people overvalue things that are rare 7. Authority: people agree if they think you're legit
54
Attribution Theory
Attempt by an individual to interpret actions by assigning causes to them
55
Fundamental Attribution Error
When an individual interprets another's actions incorrectly by overemphasizing internal characteristics instead of external events
56
Weber's Law
Expresses differences between actual physical changes and perceived changes Ex. a 10% increase in area is perceptible which means any difference of 1-9% will not be perceptible
57
Stanley Millgram
Demonstrated that individuals would follow the order of a superior if instructed to go against their conscience
58
Conflict Theory
-Karl Marx: Socialism -claims society is in a state of perpetual conflict because of limited access to resources -foundation is from inequality and unfairness in education Ex. Religion helps to increase social solidarity
59
Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis
- Human cognition is affected by language | - Ex. Humans are better able to distinguish colors for which their language has a name
60
Source Monitoring Error
When memory from one source is wrongfully attributed to another source
61
Dissociative Disorder
- lack of continuity between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions and identities - people with disorder escape reality in ways that are involuntary and unhealthy, cause impairment of daily functioning - Ex. A woman in a bad marriage cannot remember the details of her marriage
62
Conversion Disorder
Mental condition when a person has blindness, paralysis, pain or other neurologic symptoms that cannot be explained by other medical symptoms
63
Schizophrenia
- positive Sx: hallucinations, delusions | - negative Sx: blunted emotions, loss of enjoyment, lack of interest/enthusiasm, inability to carry a conversation
64
Schizoid
Emotionally detached, show little emotion
65
Schizotypal
Odd beliefs/magical thinking
66
Cluster A Personality Disorders
Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal
67
Relative Poverty
People lack the minimum amount of income needed in order to maintain average standard of living in society
68
Structural Poverty
Poverty due to defect in economic structure
69
Marginal Poverty
State of poverty that occurs when a person lacks stable employment
70
Absolute Poverty
Poverty so severe that one lacks the resources to survive
71
Schemas
Memory schemas are organized clusters of knowledge | -the way schemas are activated and processed may indicate the person's implicit attitude
72
Stereotype Threat
Decrease in performance when presented with a negative stereotype Ex. Idea that women will do worse on math exams after being shown data that people believe they will
73
Primary Group
small social groups whose members share personal and lasting relationships
74
Secondary Group
large groups whose relationships are impersonal and goal oriented, usually temporary relationships
75
Front-Stage Vs. Back-Stage Presentations
Front-Stage: acting for public consumption, societal expectations Back-Stage: real self, less varnished
76
Social Loafing
- idea that individuals are more productive alone than in a group - individuals are also less critical and creative in groups
77
Piaget's Cognitive Development Stages
1. Sensorimotor (birth to 2 years): experiencing world through senses and actions - object permanence - stranger anxiety 2. Preoperational (2 to 6/7 years): representing things with words and images; intuitive rather than logical reasoning - pretend play - egocentrism - language development 3. Concrete Operational (7 to 11): thinking logically about concrete events; grasping concrete analogies and arithmetical operations - conservation - mathematical transformations 4. Formal Operational (12 to adulthood): Abstract reasoning - abstract logic - potential for mature moral reasoning
78
Thalamus
Sensory relay station
79
Medulla
Involuntary Functions: 1. controls autonomic processes bp, heart rate, blood flow, respiratory rate, swallowing and vomiting 2. controls reflex reactions like coughing and sneezing 3. relays sensory information to the cerebellum and thalamus
80
8 Stages of Erikson's Psychosocial Development
1. Trust vs. Mistrust 2. Autonomy vs. Doubt 3. Initiative vs. Guilt 4. Industry vs. Inferiority 5. Identity vs. Role Confusion 6. Intimacy vs. Isolation 7. Generativity vs. Stagnation 8. Integrity vs. Despair
81
5 Stages of Freud's Psychosexual Development
1. Oral 2. Anal 3. Phallic 4. Latent 5. Genital
82
Emotional Intelligence
Ex. individuals who have the ability to delay gratification in pursuit of long-term rewards
83
Sternberg's Triarchic Theory of Intelligence
- practical intelligence - creative intelligence - analytical intelligence
84
Structural Functionalism
focuses broadly on social structures that shape society as a whole -all social actions have a manifest (intended) function and a latent (unintended) function: connected to overall social stability
85
Hawthorne Effect
Assessed during observational research where participants perform better when they are aware of researcher/observer's presence and worse when they are not
86
Horizontal Mobility
An individual changes some aspect of social identity but maintains the same relative status (ex. a person loses their job but gets similar income through social security disability insurance)
87
Exchange Mobility
Suggests that society is made up of classes and these classes maintain a relatively static number of people Ex. if a set number of people move upward from middle class, an equal number of people is expected to move downward from the upper class
88
Flashbulb Memory
vivid, compelling memories usually associated with emotionally arousing events
89
Eidetic Memory
AKA photographic memory: able to recall images from memory vividly after only a few instances of exposure
90
Prospective Memory
Remembering to do a planned action in the future
91
Iconic Memory
lasts very briefly before quickly fading; part of visual memory system that includes short-term memory and long-term memory
92
Explicit Memory
Memory of facts, people, names, math 1. Episodic 2. Semantic
93
Semantic Memory
General world knowledge that we have accumulated throughout our lives
94
REM Rebound
lengthening and increasing frequency of REM sleep after experiencing sleep deprivation
95
Dichotic Listening Task
Presenting two different auditory messages, one to each ear
96
Life Course Perspective
How patterns develop at particular life stages Ex. alcohol, tobacco, and drug use interventions are often designed to prevent or delay risky behaviors because patterns established in adolescence are associated with disorders in adulthood
97
Macrosociological Perspective
Describes the big picture interactions between social structures
98
Biopsychosocial Perspective
considers biological factors AND psych/sociological factors (ex. African-Americans have higher incidence of heart disease because of epigenetic factors + trauma associated with discrimination)
99
PET Scan
Best for identifying brain functioning in localized areas (specifically looks at brain activation)
100
CT Scan
Creates cross-sectional images of the area observed
101
Hippocampus
- presence of NMDA receptors (control synaptic plasticity and memory function) is most abundant in hippocampal neurons - converts short term memory into long term memory
102
Self-Serving Bias
Cognitive or perceptual process that is distorted by the need to maintain or enhance self-esteem. Ex. Something good happens, you take all the credit. Something bad happens, you put all the blame on someone else
103
Five Factor Model
Five Factor Model of Personality: 1. Extraversion 2. Agreeableness 3. Conscientiousness 4. Neuroticism 5. Openness to Experience
104
Role Strain vs. Role Conflict
Role Strain: occurs within one particular role Ex. getting better grades as a student Role Conflict: occurs between two roles Ex. being a student and an employee
105
Manifest Function vs. Latent Function vs. Discriminatory Function
- Manifest Function: recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern - Latent Function: unrecognized and unintended consequences - Discriminatory Function: which variable discriminates between two or more naturally occurring groups

AK MCAT Review (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions