Psych/Soc: AAMC FL2

Question 1

When comparing the color perception of humans and baboons, similarity in which anatomical structure of the eye is most important?

A.Optic disc

B.Sclera

C.Fovea

D.Lens

Answer 1

C.Fovea

Question 2

Their task was to tap on the option that matched the target color. When a correct response was produced, the subject received a banana chip.

Which schedule of reinforcement is used in the color-matching task?

A.Fixed ratio

B.Variable ratio

C.Fixed interval

D.Variable interval

Answer 2

A.Fixed ratio

Fixed - every time

ratio - they responded correctly

variable - random

interval - time

Question 3

it is suggested that differences in the ways that immigrants adopt local traditions and behavioral standards can result in distinct geographic patterns of assimilation.

The description of assimilation patterns suggests that there is geographic variation in which pair of concepts?

A.Social status and roles

B.Social and cultural capital

C.Cultural values and norms

D.Material and symbolic culture

Answer 3

C.Cultural values and norms

Question 4

To explain the demographic dynamics, a conflict theorist is most likely to consider the relationship among which factors?

A.Age, medicalization, and the illness experience

B.Generational status, social solidarity, and the welfare state

C.Age, social isolation, and networks of social support

D.Generational status, political power, and resource allocation

Answer 4

D.Generational status, political power, and resource allocation

conflict theory broadly calls attention to competition among social groups

Question 5

The aging of the U.S. population is most likely to increase:

A.the dependency ratio.

B.the social gradient in health.

C.the life course perspective.

D.the intersectionality of medicine.

Answer 5

A.the dependency ratio.

The dependency ratio is a ratio of the number of economically dependent members of the population to the number of economically productive members. The economically dependent are those considered too young or too old to work, whereas the economically productive are the working-age population (approximately between the ages of 18 and 65).

Question 6

Which finding best supports the linguistic relativity hypothesis?

A.All languages have a word for “up” and a word for “down.”

B.Humans are better at learning words for primary colors than for secondary colors.

C.Some languages do not have words for “right” and “left.”

D.Humans are better at distinguishing colors for which their language has a name.

Answer 6

D.Humans are better at distinguishing colors for which their language has a name.

Question 7

A study presents participants with fictitious names. The next day, participants are given a list of celebrity names, the old fictitious names from the previous day, and new fictitious names. They are asked to identify the famous names on the list. The most common errors the participants make are source monitoring errors. What is most likely to happen?

Answer 7

Ave # of famous names would be greatest for celeb names, old fictitious names, and new fictious names

Question 8

A patient who is experiencing severe marital problems reports having no memory of any life events surrounding the marriage and the spouse. The patient’s memory for other life events is intact. This patient is most likely to be diagnosed with:

A.a conversion disorder.

B.schizophrenia.

C.retrograde amnesia.

D.a dissociative disorder.

Answer 8

D.a dissociative disorder.

The patient is selectively forgetting distracting elements of his/her life, which indicates a dissociative disorder.

Question 9

Some studies have found that increases in dopamine activity are associated with increased reward-seeking motivation. This finding suggests an association between dopamine levels and which type of learning?

A.Classical conditioning

B.Operant conditioning

C.Latent learning

D.Observational learning

Answer 9

B.Operant conditioning

Question 10

Strong social support in local immigrant communities may partly explain the relatively good health of individuals from some immigrant groups in the United States, when compared to U.S.-born individuals with otherwise similar demographic characteristics.

Which hypothesis of cultural assimilation, social support, and health outcomes is best supported by the passage information about immigrant groups? More assimilated groups will have:

A.lower levels of support and better overall health.

B.higher levels of support and worse overall health.

C.lower levels of support and worse overall health.

D.higher levels of support and better overall health.

Answer 10

C.lower levels of support and worse overall health.

it is suggested that strong social support in local immigrant communities may partly explain the relatively good health of individuals from some immigrant groups in the United States (when compared to U.S.-born individuals with otherwise similar demographic characteristics). Immigrant groups that are more assimilated (or as they become assimilated) tend to have worse health outcomes (or lose their previous health advantages) than less assimilated immigrant groups.

Question 11

Which hypothetical result from the online questionnaire would provide evidence of the fundamental attribution error?

A.Some participants rank personality factors above environmental factors.

B.Some participants rank genetic factors above personality factors.

C.Some participants rank environmental factors over both personality and genetic factors.

D.Some participants rank genetic factors over both personality and environmental factors.

Answer 11

A.Some participants rank personality factors above environmental factors.

Question 12

With a keystroke, the participant quickly selects the attribute that he or she most closely associates with the image. The next trial then begins immediately with a different image and pair of attributes. A shorter response time for a particular combination of image and attribute indicates a stronger link in the participant’s mind.

Which psychological concept best explains observed response times during the IAT?

A.Interference

B.Dissonance

C.Modeling

D.Schemas

Answer 12

D.Schemas

Schematic processing is relevant to explaining response times during the IAT because the speed with which memory schemas (organized clusters of knowledge) are activated and processed is presumed to indicate the participant’s implicit attitude.

Question 13

The attitudinal questions focused on participants’ ideas about how people gain or lose weight, including an item about the relative contribution of genetic, personality, and environmental factors in explaining weight gain or loss.

Which component of attitudes is assessed by the study’s online questionnaire?

A.Affective

B.Behavioral

C.Cognitive

D.Subconscious

Answer 13

C.Cognitive

Question 14

Which type of psychoactive drug has the lowest risk of dependence?

A.Stimulants

B.Hallucinogens

C.Alcohol

D.Sedatives

Answer 14

B.Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens have low risk of dependence, whereas the other substances listed as possible answers carry a moderate to high risk of physical or psychological dependence (the question does not require making a distinction between either)

Question 15

A conflict theorist is most likely to reference which concept in order to explain the causes of access disparities for Substance Use Disorders treatment?

A.Stratification

B.Racialization

C.Socialization

D.Gentrification

Answer 15

A.Stratification

Question 16

A dopamine agonist is found to have dose-dependent effects. Based on this finding, which correlation is most likely to be supported?

A.A positive correlation between the dose of the dopamine agonist and the duration of the visual hallucinations that occur when the dopamine agonist is administered

B.A negative correlation between the dose of the dopamine agonist and the duration of the visual hallucinations that occur when the dopamine agonist is administered

C.A positive correlation between the dose of the dopamine agonist and the intensity of euphoria experienced when the dopamine agonist is administered

D.A negative correlation between the dose of the dopamine agonist and the intensity of euphoria experienced when the dopamine agonist is administered

Answer 16

C.A positive correlation between the dose of the dopamine agonist and the intensity of euphoria experienced when the dopamine agonist is administered

Question 17

A physician approaches a new patient with the assumption that the patient is not well educated and thus less knowledgeable about health issues. Does this scenario illustrate discrimination?

A.Yes; the scenario illustrates a judgment that is not based on supporting evidence.

B.No; the scenario identifies a bias directed at an individual rather than at a group.

C.Yes; the scenario suggests that a negative evaluation could affect the interaction.

D.No; the scenario describes an attitude but does not specify differential treatment.

Answer 17

D.No; the scenario describes an attitude but does not specify differential treatment.

Question 18

A study finds that individuals who follow a weekly exercise routine exhibit less immunity decline compared to those who do not. The exercise group only included participants who exercised regularly, whereas the comparison group only included those who did not exercise regularly. Which statement does NOT identify a limitation of this research design?

A.The study lacks random assignment.

B.The study has a possible sampling bias.

C.The study lacks replicable results.

D.The study has a possible confound.

Answer 18

C.The study lacks replicable results.

Question 19

To determine the effectiveness of brainstorming, a researcher designs a study in which participants are asked to produce alternatives to an existing marketing strategy on their own or with a group. Which pattern of results is most likely based on research on group processes?

A.Groups arrive at the improved alternatives more often than individuals.

B.Groups are more likely to critically evaluate alternatives than individuals.

C.On average, participants generate more alternatives alone than in a group.

D.On average, participants produce more alternatives in a group than alone.

Answer 19

C.On average, participants generate more alternatives alone than in a group.

Question 20

Researchers investigated the influence of peer evaluations in 10- to 13-year-old participants.

Which one of Piaget’s cognitive developmental stages are all participants LEAST likely to have acquired?

A.Concrete operational stage

B.Sensorimotor stage

C.Preoperational stage

D.Formal operational stage

Answer 20

D.Formal operational stage

Question 21

3- to 4-month-old and 6- to 7-month-old infants

Participants in the studies are in which stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development?

A.Trust versus mistrust

B.Competence versus inferiority

C.Autonomy versus shame and doubt

D.Initiative versus guilt

Answer 21

A.Trust versus mistrust

Question 22

3- to 4-month-old and 6- to 7-month-old infants

According to Freud, participants are in which stage of development?

A.Phallic stage

B.Latency stage

C.Anal stage

D.Oral stage

Answer 22

D.Oral stage

According to Freud, the oral stage occurs from birth to 12–18 months and is characteristic of interest in oral gratification from sucking, eating, and biting.

Question 23

which statement is the best definition of groupthink? Groupthink refers to:

A.the faulty decisions that result when a powerful leader imposes his or her will on the group and overrides the wishes of the majority of the members.

B.a style of decision-making that occurs when strangers are placed into decision-making groups and forced to make choices under time pressure.

C.the presence of conformity pressures and beliefs of superiority that lead decision-making groups to fail to critically evaluate their alternatives and options.

D.a conscious decision-making strategy employed by groups tasked with making important policy decisions.

Answer 23

C.the presence of conformity pressures and beliefs of superiority that lead decision-making groups to fail to critically evaluate their alternatives and options.

Question 24

Research has shown that when individuals study material right before going to sleep, they perform better on a recall measure upon awakening compared to individuals who study and then watch a movie before going to sleep. Which memory construct provides the most likely explanation for these results?

A.Misinformation

B.Primacy

C.Spreading activation

D.Interference

Answer 24

D.Interference

Question 25

Individuals who have the ability to delay gratification in pursuit of long-term rewards are most likely to be categorized as having which type of intelligence?

A.Analytical

B.Creative

C.Interpersonal

D.Emotional

Answer 25

D.Emotional

Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to perceive, express, understand, and manage one’s emotions.

Emotionally intelligent people are self-aware and can delay gratification in pursuit of long-term rewards, rather than being overtaken by immediate impulses. None of the other answer choices is related to delaying gratification.

Question 26

A researcher is interested in how anxiety disorders affect escape learning. Which procedure is most appropriate for assessing the dependent variable in this study?

A.Having the participants fill out a validated questionnaire that screens for anxiety disorders

B.Having a trained practitioner assess the participants for anxiety disorders

C.Monitoring how many trials it takes for participants to avoid a response that results in an electric shock when the electric shock is signaled with a tone

D.Monitoring how many trials it takes for participants to be conditioned to perform a response that results in the termination of an electric shock

Answer 26

D.Monitoring how many trials it takes for participants to be conditioned to perform a response that results in the termination of an electric shock

Question 27

of the fear conditioning paradigm, a stimulus (light) that is neutral with respect to the freezing response is associated with an unconditioned stimulus (in this case, foot shock) over a series of trials, until the neutral stimulus elicits a conditioned response (freezing behavior in response to the light)

The first phase of the fear conditioning paradigm, as described in the study, is known as:

A.discrimination.

B.acquisition.

C.shaping.

D.generalization.

Answer 27

B.acquisition.

Question 28

How would a structural functionalist interpret the efficacy of yoga as part of a smoking cessation therapy?

A.Yoga provides an alternate understanding of healthful practices that enables the individual to better understand his or her personal needs and motives.

B.Yoga provides an inexpensive therapy option for those lacking the financial resources necessary for more expensive medical interventions.

C.The utility of yoga as an effective smoking cessation therapy stems from the transformation of the individual’s self-concept as a nonsmoker.

D.The utility of yoga as an effective smoking cessation therapy is an unintended, though beneficial, outcome of a yoga practice.

Answer 28

D.The utility of yoga as an effective smoking cessation therapy is an unintended, though beneficial, outcome of a yoga practice.

The answer to this question is D because it describes a latent, or unintended, function.

The sociological paradigm of functionalism makes a distinction between manifest, or intended, and latent, or unintended, functions of social activities. From the functionalist perspective, almost all social actions have both manifest functions and latent functions, both of which are connected to overall social stability

Question 29

Which statement reflects the medicalization of smoking and smoking cessation?

A.Smoking is a personal behavior that can be adjusted through individual behavior modification.

B.Smoking is an unhealthy behavior that is structurally managed via legislation to reduce overall smoking rates.

C.Smoking is an addictive behavior that can be treated via the use of pharmaceutical intervention.

D.Smoking is a public health issue that is socially desirable to mitigate through smoking cessation programs.

Answer 29

C.Smoking is an addictive behavior that can be treated via the use of pharmaceutical intervention.

Question 30

Results from a study indicate that there is a –0.82 correlation between alcohol consumption and internal locus of control. Which statement will most likely be concluded from these findings?

A.High alcohol consumption behavior is strongly associated with people perceiving that they control their own fate.

B.High alcohol consumption behavior is strongly associated with people perceiving that chance or outside forces control their fate.

C.High alcohol consumption behavior causes people to perceive that chance or outside forces determine their fate.

D.High alcohol consumption behavior is weakly associated with people perceiving that they control their own fate.

Answer 30

B.High alcohol consumption behavior is strongly associated with people perceiving that chance or outside forces control their fate.

Question 31

A researcher conducts observational research on the study habits of college students. When students are aware of the researcher’s presence, they are more attentive, focused, and structured. When students are not aware of the researcher’s presence, they are inattentive, unfocused, and distracted. Which concept best describes this phenomenon?

A.Impression management

B.The Hawthorne effect

C.Self-fulfilling prophecy

D.The Thomas theorem

Answer 31

B.The Hawthorne effect

Question 32

an individual’s internalization of a label that leads to a fulfillment of that label

A.Impression management

B.The Hawthorne effect

C.Self-fulfilling prophecy

D.The Thomas theorem

Answer 32

C.Self-fulfilling prophecy

Question 33

refers to individuals actively managing how they are perceived by others.

A.Impression management

B.The Hawthorne effect

C.Self-fulfilling prophecy

D.The Thomas theorem

Answer 33

A.Impression management

Question 34

states that if an individual believes something to be real, then it is real in its consequences

A.Impression management

B.The Hawthorne effect

C.Self-fulfilling prophecy

D.The Thomas theorem

Answer 34

D.The Thomas theorem

Question 35

An individual loses his job and obtains a similar amount of income through social security disability insurance. Which type of social mobility best characterizes the situation?

A.Exchange mobility

B.Horizontal mobility

C.Downward mobility

D.Upward mobility

Answer 35

B.Horizontal mobility