Psych/Soc: AAMC FL3

Question 1

A researcher attempts to measure the degree of perspective-taking with a group of 5-year-olds. Which cognitive limitation is most likely to inhibit the participants’ performance on the dependent variables?

A.Lack of object permanence

B.Limited understanding of conservation

C.Centration

D.Egocentrism

Answer 1

D.Egocentrism

5 year olds are in the preoperational stage according to Piaget and are limited by egocentrism (viewing the world only from their own perspective)

Question 2

Considering the research on interpersonal attraction, which variable is LEAST likely to predict whether two participants will select each other?

A. The similarity between the participants in terms of activities they enjoy

B. The physical attractiveness of the participants

C. The number of times the participants have run into each other prior to participating in the study

D. The participants’ scores on a personality test that assesses neuroticism

Answer 2

D. The participants’ scores on a personality test that assesses neuroticism

Question 3

The subjectively vivid, compelling memories of details associated with reception of news about emotionally arousing events were referred to as

Which term is used to refer to the type of memory phenomenon examined in studies 1 and 2?

A. Reproductive memory

B. Flashbulb memory

C. Prospective memory

D. Eidetic memory

Answer 3

B. Flashbulb memory

Question 4

Which type of memory is remembering something exactly

A. Reproductive memory

B. Flashbulb memory

C. Prospective memory

D. Eidetic memory

Answer 4

A. Reproductive memory

Question 5

Which type of memory describes photographic memory - that is, we only need to see it once to remember it?

A. Reproductive memory

B. Reconstructive memory

C. Prospective memory

D. Eidetic memory

Answer 5

D. Eidetic memory

Question 6

Dan told me to remember that he has an advisory meeting at 1pm. Around 12pm, which type of memory am I using to recall this information to try and remember what he asked?

A. Reproductive memory

B. Reconstructive memory

C. Prospective memory

D. Eidetic memory

Answer 6

B. Reconstructive memory

Question 7

Which type of memory involves remembering to go to the grocery store or remembering/recalling a planned intention at some future point in time?

A. Reproductive memory

B. Reconstructive memory

C. Prospective memory

D. Eidetic memory

Answer 7

C. Prospective memory

Question 8

In Study 2, participants described how they had heard about a disaster one day after it had occurred.

The key details assessed in Study 2 were examples of which type of memory?

A.Episodic

B.Semantic

C.Procedural

D.Iconic

Answer 8

A.Episodic

Question 9

Emotional arousal on memory recall focuses on what?

Answer 9

We tend to focus on central (emotional) events and don’t analyze the peripheral (detailed) surroundings of the event.

Memory for details will fade while the emotional event is retained

Question 10

The data indicate that:

A.the feeding behavior of monkeys was not affected by either prior diet type.

B.prior protein insufficiency was a stronger predictor of future feeding behavior than prior protein sufficiency.

C.prior feeding history influenced future feeding behavior in monkeys raised on a high-quality protein diet only.

D.the feeding behavior was solely determined by both prior diet types.

Answer 10

C.prior feeding history influenced future feeding behavior in monkeys raised on a high-quality protein diet only.

the data indicate that monkeys raised on high-quality protein retained a pronounced preference for high-quality protein

Question 11

A 45-year-old man presents himself at a hospital emergency room. Symptoms include a pounding heart, chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and feeling dizzy. Medical tests reveal that the man did not have a heart attack. Which psychiatric diagnosis provides the most likely explanation for the man’s symptoms?

A.Generalized anxiety disorder

B.Panic disorder

C.Illness anxiety disorder

D.Somatic symptom disorder

Answer 11

B.Panic disorder

Question 12

Which correctly describes persistent worrying about many different things such as: making mortgage payments, doing a good job at work, returning emails, political issues, doing well on the MCAT

A.Generalized anxiety disorder

B.Panic disorder

C.Illness anxiety disorder

D.Somatic symptom disorder

Answer 12

A.Generalized anxiety disorder

Question 13

Which term refers to having at least one bodily symptom that is accompanied by disproportionate concerns about its seriousness, devotion of an excess amount of time and energy to it?

A.Conversion disorder

B.Panic disorder

C.Illness anxiety disorder

D.Somatic symptom disorder

Answer 13

D.Somatic symptom disorder

Question 14

Which is characterized by being consumed with thoughts about having or developing a serious medical condition?

A.Conversion disorder

B.Panic disorder

C.Illness anxiety disorder

D.Somatic symptom disorder

Answer 14

C.Illness anxiety disorder

Question 15

Which is characterized by unexplained symptoms affecting voluntary motor or sensory functions. Examples include paralysis or blindness without evidence of neurological damage.

A.Conversion disorder

B.Panic disorder

C.Illness anxiety disorder

D.Dissociative amnesia

Answer 15

A.Conversion disorder

Question 16

This disorder is characterized by an inability to recall past experiences. This is not due to a neurological disorder and is often linked to trauma. They also might experience unexpected wandering away from one’s home or location of usual daily activities

A.Conversion disorder

B.Panic disorder

C.Illness anxiety disorder

D.Dissociative amnesia

Answer 16

D.Dissociative amnesia

Dissociative fugue - wandering aimlessless without purpose

Question 17

The researchers’ decision to use individual (NOT group) therapy in each of the treatment sessions reduced the potential influence of:

A.classical conditioning.

B.observational learning.

C.operant conditioning.

D.elaboration likelihood.

Answer 17

B.observational learning.

Question 18

What is referred to attitudes that are formed/changed via different routes of info processing based on varying degrees of deep thought given to persuasive info (central and peripheral)

Answer 18

Elaboration likelihood model

Question 19

When designing a study to test the hypothesis that controlling for SES should reduce racial differences in stress, which data would a researcher be LEAST likely to include in an aggregate measure of SES?

A. Occupational status

B. Income sources

C. Social capital

D. Educational attainment

Answer 19

C. Social capital

SES is measured by occupation, income, and education

social capital refers to the benefits from social networks

Question 20

In any society, members of the most disadvantaged racial groups are expected to report higher levels of stress than those from more advantaged racial groups

which correlation coefficient provides the best estimate of the association between SES and level of exposure to stress?

A. –0.20

B. –0.05

C. +0.15

D. +0.50

Answer 20

A. –0.20

The other negative correlation (B) can be ruled out, because it is very weak (and thus not likely to have the kind of disproportionate effect that is discussed in the passage)

Question 21

In response to stress, what part of the brain initiates signals to the endocrine system?

A. Hippocampus

B. Medulla oblongata

C. Hypothalamus

D. Pons

Answer 21

C. Hypothalamus

Controls the pituitary gland, initiating the stress response

Question 22

Which statement best identifies the fundamental attribution error in a teacher’s assessment of students in a classroom? A teacher assumes that any emotional and behavioral problems are due to:

A. social learning, while the teacher overlooks patterns of reinforcement.

B. cognitive dissonance, while the teacher overlooks emotional maturity.

C. psychological disorders, while the teacher overlooks behavioral training.

D. dysfunctional personalities, while the teacher overlooks situational variables.

Answer 22

D. dysfunctional personalities, while the teacher overlooks situational variables.

Question 23

A researcher criticizes the methods used in the study, stating that teachers’ ratings may not be a valid way of assessing the students’ emotional problems. Which hypothetical finding is most likely to reduce this concern?

A. A positive correlation between the number of emotional problems observed in students and the number of classmates reading below grade level

B. A negative correlation between the number of emotional problems observed in students and the number of disruptions experienced by the teacher per day

C. A positive correlation between the teachers’ ratings of the number of emotional problems observed in students and the parents’ rating of the same variable

D. A negative correlation between the teachers’ ratings of the number of emotional problems observed in students at two different times

Answer 23

C. A positive correlation between the teachers’ ratings of the number of emotional problems observed in students and the parents’ rating of the same variable

The answer to this question is C because when two independent measures of the same variable converge, it supports the validity of both measures.

Question 24

The standard version of a dichotic listening task involves:

A. presenting two different auditory messages, one to each ear.

B. presenting two different auditory stimuli to the same ear.

C. requiring participants to identify two subthreshold sounds.

D. requiring participants to dichotomize sounds into distinct categories.

Answer 24

A. presenting two different auditory messages, one to each ear.

Question 25

Public health campaigns often target behaviors that are formed in adolescence. For example, 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. This example is best described as using which approach to health?

A. The biopsychosocial model of health risks

B. A macrosociological perspective on health risks

C. The social construction of health behavior

D. A life course perspective on health behavior

Answer 25

D. A life course perspective on health behavior

Question 26

In humans, brain imaging studies have shown that differences in neural activity among adults are associated with reported childhood adversities.

Which imaging technique is best suited for localizing brain areas, as described in the studies of neural activity?

A. PET

B. EEG

C. MRI

D. CT

Answer 26

A. PET

The answer to this question is A because for studies focusing on activation (and thus brain function), a PET scan is the best imaging tool among those listed. The other choices are other techniques that are not specifically designed for measuring brain activation in particular regions.

Question 27

For adolescents who experiment with alcohol in peer groups, sensation-seeking behaviors may become associated with alcohol’s positive effects on mood.

Which description of social influence provides the most likely pattern of interaction for establishing alcohol use in adolescence?

A. Social facilitation by an in-group

B. Obedience to a secondary group

C. Deviance against an out-group

D. Conformity with a primary group

Answer 27

D. Conformity with a primary group

primary group = peer group (more intimate social ties)

Question 28

In an extension of the research, ten individuals were recruited for an information session on the energy-saving program. Six of the ten individuals were colleagues and unanimously agreed to the program. The remaining four individuals also agreed to the program. Which concept is best represented by this scenario?

A. Bystander effect

B. Social loafing

C. Groupthink

D. Assimilation

Answer 28

C. Groupthink

the researchers were testing whether individuals, when they are part of a cohesive in-group, will agree to the same behavior, which is an example of groupthink.

Question 29

In a follow-up research study, a focus group of individuals who are not supportive of environmental protections is assembled to discuss the energy-saving program. As they discuss the program, the individuals become even more convinced that it is not a good program. This outcome is evidence of what concept?

A. Group polarization

B. Social facilitation

C. Peer pressure

D. Deindividuation

Answer 29

A. Group polarization

Question 30

Researchers interviewed an individual who participated in the energy-saving program. The participant mentioned that, as a child, her parents engaged in energy-saving practices such as turning off lights in rooms when not in use and insulating windows. As an adult, she does the same. This is most likely due to:

A. classical conditioning.

B. operant conditioning.

C. associative learning.

D. observational learning.

Answer 30

D. observational learning.

Question 31

Which statement is NOT consistent with a conflict theoretical analysis?

A. Religion is an instrument of social control.

B. Religion helps to legitimate inequality in society.

C. Religion encourages passive acceptance of material conditions.

D. Religion helps to increase social solidarity.

Answer 31

D. Religion helps to increase social solidarity.

this is functionalism - society is based around a value consensus and social solidarity

Question 32

A transient shortage of oxygen (global ischemia) releases excess glutamate into the extracellular fluid of the brain. This causes neuronal death by hyperexcitation to a greater extent in the hippocampus than in the cortex. Which reason best explains why the hippocampus is selectively vulnerable during global ischemia?

A.The magnitude of action potentials is greater in hippocampal than cortical neurons.

B.The expression of NMDA receptors is more abundant in hippocampal than cortical neurons.

C.Hippocampal neurons generate a more negative postsynaptic potential than cortical neurons.

D.Hippocampal synapses have faster neurotransmitter diffusion rates compared to cortical synapses.

Answer 32

B.The expression of NMDA receptors is more abundant in hippocampal than cortical neurons.

Question 33

When an individual moves from one social class to another over the course of his or her lifetime, this process is defined as:

A. intergenerational mobility.

B. intragenerational mobility.

C. structural mobility.

D. horizontal mobility.

Answer 33

B. intragenerational mobility.

Question 34

Pairs of research participants interacted for 10 min. They rated themselves and their partners on personality traits and then rated the accuracy of their partners’ ratings of them. The partners’ ratings were rated as more accurate if they were close to participants’ own self-ratings. This finding illustrates:

A. the self-fulfilling prophecy.

B. self-verification.

C. the self-serving bias.

D. self-efficacy.

Answer 34

B. self-verification.

This refers to the tendency to seek out (and agree with) info that is consistent with one’s self-concept

Question 35

The researchers also assessed aspects of the household environment, analyzing parental personality traits, such as conscientiousness and neuroticism, as well as examining parental sensitivity to children’s needs.

The personality traits used are consistent with which perspective on personality?

A. The Five Factor Model

B. The psychodynamic approach

C. The Myers–Briggs inventory

D. The biopsychosocial model

Answer 35

A. The Five Factor Model

conscientiousness and neuroticism, which are among the Big Five traits from the Five Factor model

Question 36

The specific finding from Study 1 states that aggression and oppositional behaviors had the strongest association with the risk of hunger.

The regulation of which neurotransmitter is implicated in the specific finding reported with Study 1?

A. Acetylcholine

B. GABA

C. Endorphins

D. Serotonin

Answer 36

D. Serotonin

Serotonin is involved in the regulation of both mood (specifically, aggression) and appetite (it is also used to regulate intestinal movements).

Question 37

These are chemicals produced by the body to relieve stress and pain. In hindsite, they are natural painkillers

A. Acetylcholine

B. GABA

C. Endorphins

D. Serotonin

Answer 37

C. Endorphins

Question 38

Which is an external goal that has the potential to motivate behavior?

A. Incentive theory

B. Drive theory

C. Expectancy–value theory

D. Self-determination theory

Answer 38

A. Incentive theory

Wanting to make good money, wanting an A on an exam, etc.

Question 39

Which describes an internal state PUSHING YOU in a specific direction? This often drives homeostasis

A. Incentive theory

B. Drive theory

C. Expectancy–value theory

D. Self-determination theory

Answer 39

B. Drive theory

Question 40

Parents experience stress from trying to satisfy both their children’s needs and their own needs.

Parents are subject to which role dynamic?

A. Role engulfment

B. Role confusion

C. Role conflict

D. Role strain

Answer 40

D. Role strain

By identifying tension stemming from the parental role, the recommendation suggests role strain (which refers to stress from different expectations associated with a single role).

Question 41

Which response represents a symbolic interactionist’s interpretation of the research findings in the passage?

A. The spike in holiday deaths is part of the natural cycle of increased deaths during the winter season.

B. The practices and rituals of the holiday celebrations are in some way correlated with the spike in holiday deaths.

C. Travel during the holiday season increases external environmental factors than can lead to an overall spike in cardiac deaths.

D. The spike in holiday cardiac deaths is related to macro-structural factors that are exacerbated during the holidays.

Answer 41

B. The practices and rituals of the holiday celebrations are in some way correlated with the spike in holiday deaths.

Question 42

Which response represents a biological interpretation of the research findings in the passage?

A. The spike in holiday deaths is part of the natural cycle of increased deaths during the winter season.

B. The practices and rituals of the holiday celebrations are in some way correlated with the spike in holiday deaths.

C. Travel during the holiday season increases external environmental factors than can lead to an overall spike in cardiac deaths.

D. The spike in holiday cardiac deaths is related to macro-structural factors that are exacerbated during the holidays.

Answer 42

A. The spike in holiday deaths is part of the natural cycle of increased deaths during the winter season.

Question 43

Which response represents a functionalism interpretation of the research findings in the passage?

A. The spike in holiday deaths is part of the natural cycle of increased deaths during the winter season.

B. The practices and rituals of the holiday celebrations are in some way correlated with the spike in holiday deaths.

C. Travel during the holiday season increases external environmental factors than can lead to an overall spike in cardiac deaths.

D. The spike in holiday cardiac deaths is related to macro-structural factors that are exacerbated during the holidays.

Answer 43

C. Travel during the holiday season increases external environmental factors than can lead to an overall spike in cardiac deaths.

Question 44

When studying education as a social institution, the hidden curriculum constitutes:

A. a manifest function of schools.

B. an equalizing function of schools.

C. a latent function of schools.

D. a discriminatory function of schools.

Answer 44

C. a latent function of schools.

Question 45

In order to balance on one foot, many people need to have their eyes open. This is an example of:

A. motion parallax.

B. sensory interaction.

C. vestibular sense.

D. perceptual maladaptation.

Answer 45

B. sensory interaction.

Question 46

Is a monocular depth cue in which we view objects that are closer to us as moving faster than objects are further away from us

A. motion parallax

B. Occlusion

C. vestibular sense

D. retinal disparity

Answer 46

A. motion parallax.

Question 47

Objects that are to the front of the point of focus are perceived as being closer than the objects that are behind the point of focus

A. motion parallax

B. Occlusion

C. vestibular sense

D. retinal disparity

Answer 47

D. retinal disparity

BINOCULAR DEPTH CUE

Question 48

Objects that are behind other objects are perceived as being farther away

A. motion parallax

B. Occlusion

C. vestibular sense

D. retinal disparity

Answer 48

B. Occlusion

Question 49

Which is NOT monocular depth cue?

A. Retinal height

B. Occlusion

C. Texture gradient

D. Point of focus

Answer 49

D. Point of focus

Question 50

Which cells allow us to see contrasts, lines and features?

A. Parvocellular cells

B. Amacrine/Horizontal cells

C. Magnocellular cells

D. Ganglionic cells

Answer 50

B. Amacrine/Horizontal cells

Question 51

Which cells allow us to detect shapes and very fine detail?

A. Parvocellular cells

B. Amacrine/Horizontal cells

C. Magnocellular cells

D. Ganglionic cells

Answer 51

A. Parvocellular cells

Question 52

Which cells allow us to detect motion and have a high temporal resolution?

A. Parvocellular cells

B. Amacrine/Horizontal cells

C. Magnocellular cells

D. Ganglionic cells

Answer 52

C. Magnocellular cells

Question 53

The phenomenon that occurs when people mistakenly read the letter “C” as the letter “O” illustrates which Gestalt principle of perceptual grouping?

A.Similarity

B.Closure

C.Proximity

D.Symmetry

Answer 53

B.Closure