Social Interactions

Question 1

What type of status is being a physician with regard to social standing?

Answer 1

achieved status

It is any social position one can acquire on the basis of merit (i.e., it is earned or chosen). It reflects personal skills, abilities, and efforts.

Question 2

What type of status is exemplified by being an uncle or a widow with regard to social standing?

Answer 2

ascribed statuses

It is a social status assigned to a person at birth or assumed involuntarily later in life (i.e., neither earned nor chosen).

Question 3

What is the term for the status that Dr. House prioritizes above all others, as reflected in his pride and identity as a physician?

Answer 3

master status

A person’s master status is the social position which is his or her primary identifying characteristic. A master status has great significance for one’s social identity.

Question 4

Fill in the blank.

A man has a child and so begins to occupy the status of father. The man will be expected to play the ___________ of father by caring for, feeding, and providing for his child.

Answer 4

social role

It is the set of behaviors that are expected of an individual who holds a particular status. The primary difference between a role and a status is that a person occupies a status but plays a role.

Question 5

Define:

role conflict

Answer 5

Refers to stress resulting from multiple different, conflicting roles that a person holds.

The existence of multiple roles is the key element of role conflict.

Question 6

Define:

role strain

Answer 6

Refers to difficulty or stress associated with fulfilling the demand of a single role.

The existence of a single role is the key element of role strain and is what differentiates it from role conflict.

Question 7

John, an appliance company executive, is facing pressure to stay late at work in advance of a major product launch. However, his wife is also asking him to come home on time to help take care of their new baby. Does this exemplify role conflict or role strain?

Answer 7

role conflict

Since John is experiencing a clash between multiple roles (executive and husband/father), this exemplifies role conflict.

Question 8

Sarah, a product manager, is having an extremely stressful day dealing with six meetings and a multitude of emails. Does this exemplify role conflict or role strain?

Answer 8

role strain

Since Sarah is experiencing stress that stems from a single role (product manager), this exemplifies role strain.

Question 9

What is the process called when Therese must leave the convent and her position as a nun to start her own family?

Answer 9

role exit

It is the process of disengagement from a role. Here, role exit is exemplified by Therese exiting one role (nun) in order to establish herself in another (mother).

Question 10

What is the difference between an in-group and an out-group?

Answer 10

• An out-group consists of individuals with whom one does not identify (“outsiders”).
• An in-group consists of individuals with whom one does identify.

A person typically considers themself a member of their in-group. For example, for a Cleveland Browns fan, other Browns fans would be part of the in-group, while Pittsburgh Steelers fans would be part of an out-group.

Question 11

A pair of brothers constitutes which type of social group?

Answer 11

dyad

It is a group consisting of only two individuals. As such, a dyad is the smallest possible social group. Examples include a pair of siblings or a married couple.

Dyads can be unstable, because if even one person leaves the group, the group falls apart. This is less common (albeit possible) with siblings, but extremely frequent with romantic relationships.

Question 12

Three extremely close college friends would constitute which type of social group?

Answer 12

triad

It is a group consisting of three individuals. Triads are typically less intense than dyads and are also more stable, as the group can continue to exist even after one member leaves (for example, if one of the friends decides to study abroad).

Question 13

What is the term for a close-knit group of friends who maintain strong, frequent interactions over time?

Answer 13

primary group

It is typically a small social group whose members share close, personal, enduring relationships. Close childhood friends are a classic example.

Primary groups usually serve as important support systems for their members.

Question 14

What is the term for a temporary, task-oriented group like the eight-person team set up to research and launch a new product at Sarah’s office?

Answer 14

secondary group

These are less personal and close than primary groups, and their members are more interchangeable. Additionally, secondary groups are established to perform functions (for example, a group of coworkers), so these groups are typically temporary.

Question 15

Identify the social structure represented in the image below.

Answer 15

social network

This is a social structure made up of a set of actors (individuals, friends, colleagues, etc.), sets of dyadic/triadic ties, and other social interactions between them. Here, the self is at the center.

Question 16

What is the term for a group like a neuroscience and neurology society that convenes annually to share research and discuss clinical innovations?

Answer 16

organization

Social organizations are comprised of professional relationships. The organization itself is also a social entity, with goals, structure, and a unique culture.

Question 17

What is the term for entities like the military and Fortune 500 companies that have stated missions, well-defined hierarchies, and specialized roles?

Answer 17

formal organizations

It is any social system structured by clearly-laid-out rules, goals, and practices based on a division of labor and a defined hierarchy of power.

Question 18

What are the five necessary components of an ideal bureaucracy according to Max Weber?

Answer 18

1. Division of labor and specialization
2. Management through written rules and regulations
3. Hierarchy of authority
4. Formal selection based on technical competence
5. Impersonality

Note that, as in much of sociology, different sources will sometimes list these components differently. However, for the MCAT, it is only important that you know and understand the components listed here.

Question 19

According to modern product management theories, the members of a product team should operate cross-functionally, as opposed to each member focusing solely on his or her own area of expertise. This violates which component of an ideal bureaucracy?

Answer 19

division of labor and specialization

Max Weber stated that in an ideal bureaucracy, labor is divided into highly specific tasks, which minimizes the amount that each worker needs to know and (in theory) allows for increased efficiency. However, this approach has its downsides, and as this card states, many modern organizations favor cross-functionality over extreme specialization.

Question 20

At a large auto factory, all employees, from factory workers to the CEO, are required to wear identical uniforms. This aligns with which component of an ideal bureaucracy?

Answer 20

impersonality

According to this principle, standards, rules, and regulations are applied uniformly to all members, regardless of the member’s position.

Question 21

Which component of an ideal bureaucracy ensures that the organization can continue to operate normally even if employees leave?

Answer 21

management through written rules and regulations

This is one of Max Weber’s characteristics of an ideal bureaucracy.

Question 22

What is the term for excessive and overly time-consuming paperwork, like the exhaustive forms that medical schools require, which applicants must complete just for the opportunity to spend money and seek a position in their next class?

Answer 22

red tape

Red tape is a term for regulations or bureaucratic procedures that are considered excessive or excessively time- and effort-consuming.

Question 23

What is the term for a shift in an organization away from its founding principles, such as Google’s potential deviation from its “Don’t be evil” motto due to alleged political and social biases in its algorithms?

Answer 23

iron law of oligarchy

This law states that all forms of organization, regardless of how democratic they may be at the start, will eventually and inevitably develop oligarchic tendencies (i.e. become controlled by a powerful few), making true democracy impossible, particularly in large groups and complex organizations, like Google.

Question 24

What is the term for the process illustrated by modern families spending less time on meals, the prevalence of pre-packaged and pre-measured grocery items, and employees following simple instructions in stores?

Answer 24

McDonaldization

The McDonaldization of society is the process whereby traditional modes of thinking or operating are replaced by a focus on calculability, efficiency, predictability, and formalized social control.

Question 25

What is the term for the collective set of knowledge about facts, policies, experiences, and other concepts within an organization?

Hint: This knowledge is held by members of the organization, particularly those who have been there for a relatively long period of time.

Answer 25

institutional memory

While institutional memory is most often discussed in reference to businesses/companies, it applies to other types of organizations as well.

Question 26

What is required to exist in order to retain institutional memory within an organization?

Answer 26

continuity of group membership

Much of an organization’s institutional memory is passed down verbally between members. Thus, if all members quit at once and new members later rejoined, institutional memory would be lost. In other words, member continuity is required.

Question 27

Fill in the blank.

The popular belief that women are more emotionally sensitive or empathetic than men is an example of how _______ can impact the expression and/or detection of emotion.

Answer 27

gender

Question 28

Fill in the blank.

Individualist emotions such as pride and jealousy predominate in Western societies, while collectivist emotions (e.g. shame) predominate in Eastern societies. This most strongly reflects the role of _______ in the expression and detection of emotions.

Answer 28

culture

Question 29

What is the term for the behaviors and characteristics, such as wearing white coats and smiling, that medical students use to appear professional and friendly when meeting with patients?

Answer 29

impression management

Impression management (also known as self-presentation) is the process by which people attempt to convey a specific (usually positive) impression of themselves to others.

Question 30

Which concept is exemplified by a police officer introducing himself to a motorist as “Officer Mahoney”?

Choose from self-disclosure, managing appearance, and altercasting.

Answer 30

self-disclosure

Self-disclosure is the act of making sure others are aware of your identity.

Question 31

A motorist is stopped by the police for speeding. Which concept is exemplified by the motorist telling the officer “As a police officer, you should be focused on stopping real crime instead of worrying about speed limits”?

Choose from self-disclosure, managing appearance, and altercasting.

Answer 31

altercasting

Altercasting is behavior with the goal of projecting an identity onto others you interact with, in order to help achieve your own goals.

Question 32

A motorist is stopped by the police for speeding. Which concept is exemplified by the police officer wearing her badge conspicuously and maintaining an air of authority?

Choose from self-disclosure, managing appearance, and altercasting.

Answer 32

managing appearance

Managing appearance is the act of making sure one’s appearance and demeanor match what is expected of one’s role/position.

Question 33

Which sociological concept proposes that social individuals play different roles depending on the situation, similar to the roles one might play in a theater production?

Answer 33

dramaturgical approach

This approach draws an analogy between theater performance and the sociological idea of impression management.

Question 34

What aspect of the dramaturgical approach is most closely linked to Mead’s concept of the “me”?

For example, on the way to work, a third-year resident waits in line for the train, makes polite conversation with fellow commuters, and shows her ticket to the conductor.

Answer 34

“Front-stage” behavior is what we do when we know that others are watching or aware of us (i.e. how we behave and interact when we have an “audience”).

The “me” is considered the socialized aspect of the individual. It represents learned behaviors, attitudes, and expectations of others and of society.

Question 35

A medical resident does not engage in non-work-related discussion with coworkers, but later goes home and logs into a political forum where she can share her political opinions anonymously. When alone at home, which aspect of the dramaturgical approach does this resident exemplify?

Answer 35

back-stage self

This encompasses our behavior when we are freed from the societal expectations that shape our behavior when we are “front-stage.”

Being at home instead of at work is a clear demarcation of the difference between the two. People are usually more relaxed and comfortable when back-stage, and can act as their uninhibited, “true” selves.

Question 36

What is the difference between verbal and non-verbal communication?

Answer 36

• Verbal communication refers to spoken words and what we say aloud.
• Non-verbal communication encompasses all other forms of expression, including body language, posture, tone of voice, facial expressions, and gestures.

Question 37

Identify the type of communication used in the example below (choose from verbal, nonverbal, or both).

Leaning forward during a meeting.

Answer 37

nonverbal

Since leaning forward involves body language rather than spoken language, it is an example of nonverbal communication.

Question 38

Identify the type of communication used in the example below (choose from verbal, nonverbal, or both).

Reflexively responding “yes” when your friend asks whether you are okay.

Answer 38

verbal

Regardless of the context, simply saying the word “yes” is an example of verbal communication.

Question 39

Identify the type of communication used in the example below (choose from verbal, nonverbal, or both).

Frowning in response to a question asked.

Answer 39

nonverbal

Frowning and other facial expressions are examples of nonverbal communication.

Question 40

Identify the type of communication used in the example below (choose from verbal, nonverbal, or both).

Pointing at a person as you ask a question.

Answer 40

both

Since this involves both uttering words (asking a question) and conveying information through means other than words (pointing), it exemplifies both verbal and nonverbal communication.

Question 41

Identify the behavior shown in this image.

Answer 41

aggression

Aggression is threatening or harmful behavior directed toward another. Cats (and other animals) will raise their backs, hiss, and bare their teeth to show aggression.

Question 42

Identify the emotion shown in this image.

Answer 42

happiness

Happiness is defined as a state of well-being that encompasses living a good, satisfying, meaningful life. Dogs (and other animals) will wag their tail, wag their whole body, relax their ears, and pant softly to show happiness.

Question 43

Fill in the blank.

Physical appearance, sexual appeal, similarity, familiarity, and reciprocity are all factors likely to increase the level of ________ between two people.

Answer 43

attraction

Attraction refers to positive feelings about another person. It can take many forms, including liking, loving, friendship, respect, and lust. Many factors influence attraction.

Question 44

In Clara’s college apartment building, three couples have begun dating in the past month. The members of the couples did not know each other prior to becoming neighbors. This example illustrates which factor involved in attraction?

Answer 44

proximity

Proximity refers to one’s tendency to be attracted to people who are geographically close.

Question 45

In the context of attraction, what is the concept of similarity?

Answer 45

Refers to the tendency to become attracted to those who are similar to oneself.

This similarity can exist with respect to age, religion, social class, personality, level of education, intelligence, and many other factors.

Question 46

What is the principle illustrated when Andy begins to notice cute things about Sarah only after hearing that she wants to ask him out?

Answer 46

reciprocity

In the context of attraction, reciprocity is the tendency of people to be attracted to those who reciprocate their feelings. (Of course, this is only a tendency; it isn’t always the case.)

Question 47

Fill in the blank.

A man considers himself a 6/10 on the physical attractiveness scale. He also makes a good salary and loves to travel. According to the matching hypothesis, this man is likely to be attracted to a partner he would rate a ________ on the physical attractiveness scale.

Answer 47

6/10

The matching hypothesis proposes that people tend to pick partners who are about equal in level of attractiveness to themselves, since one’s perception of one’s own physical attractiveness plays a role in attraction.

Question 48

Identify the attachment style likely to result from the following example.

Two parents care responsibly and lovingly for their child. At age 2, this child is content when the parents are around, upset when they leave, and fussy around strangers.

Answer 48

secure attachment

This attachment style is a result of “normal,” caring parents. The child will be upset if a parent leaves and comforted when he or she returns, and will prefer parents to strangers. These kids tend to develop healthy, strong social skills.

Question 49

Identify the attachment style likely to result from the following example.

Both parents work full-time, and their child is cared for by a series of nannies, each one lasting 4-6 weeks. On weekends, the parents relax and go out without the child.

Answer 49

avoidant attachment

This attachment style typically results from uncaring or absent parenting. As a result, the child will treat their parents no different from strangers, since they do not know them as parents.

Question 50

Identify the attachment style likely to result from the following example.

Paul and Christy both work part-time and try to share the responsibilities of caring for their daughter. Paul works nights and Christy works days, so they often have large gaps in the care of their daughter, causing inconsistent parenting.

Answer 50

ambivalent attachment

This attachment style is the result of inconsistent parenting. At age 2, the child may get upset if a parent leaves, but may not be fully comforted when the parent returns.

Question 51

Identify the attachment style likely to result from the following example.

A foster child is taken into a dysfunctional home. The parents often verbally and physically abuse the child and neglect basic care.

Answer 51

disorganized attachment

A disorganized attachment style typically occurs as a result of child abuse. At age 2, the child will have an unorganized response to the presence/absence of the parent. The child may wish to avoid or resist parental attention. In addition, the child may exhibit confusion at their parents’ presence and demonstrate repetitive behaviors (e.g. rocking).

Question 52

In the image below, if the food the woman is giving is all the food she has for the day, what social behavior is she displaying?

Answer 52

altriusm

Altruism is the act of behaving in a manner that helps others, even at a cost to oneself.

Question 53

In the context of social support, instrumental or tangible support refers to what?

Answer 53

Provision of concrete/material goods, such as resources or financial assistance.

Overall, social support refers to the existence of others in your life who love and care for you and to whom you can turn to for help (financial, emotional, material, etc.) in times of need.

Question 54

In the context of social support, informational support refers to what?

Answer 54

To exactly what it sounds like: the provision of useful information or advice to another person.

Overall, social support refers to the existence of others in your life who love and care for you and to whom you can turn to for help (financial, emotional, material, etc.) in times of need.

Question 55

Fill in the blank.

Mating, foraging, and even altruism are examples of _______ explanations for social behavior.

Answer 55

biological

Biological explanations provide an evolutionary or physiological context behind many of our social actions.

Question 56

Fill in the blank.

________ is behavior that is directly triggered by an animal’s hunger or need for food.

Answer 56

Foraging

Foraging is the act of searching widely in the environment for food, water, or provisions.

Question 57

Fill in the blank.

________ behaviors, such as displaying plumage (birds), wealth (humans), or elaborate dances (multiple species) are triggered by the organism’s desire to procreate.

Answer 57

Mating

Mating is the act of finding, attracting, choosing, and sexually engaging with a mate.

Question 58

What is the school of thought that describes social actions and decisions as “games” played by rational individuals?

Answer 58

game theory

Put simply, game theory is the idea that people make social decisions as if they were playing a game. Most of the time, the goal of the game is to maximize your own benefit:cost ratio and to minimize risk.

Question 59

Fill in the blank.

Medical school admissions can be viewed as a __________ game, since if one applicant gets a spot, no one else can have it.

Answer 59

zero-sum

Zero-sum games occur when the players’ interests are in direct conflict with one another. If one player wins, the other must lose to a similar extent.

Question 60

Fill in the blank.

The formation of an MCAT study group as a way to improve your own score may help group members score higher on their tests as well. This is an example of a __________ game.

Answer 60

non-zero-sum

Non-zero-sum games occur when the players’ interests are not in direct conflict, so there are opportunities for both or all players to gain.

Question 61

In the classic game theory example of the prisoner’s dilemma, two prisoners must decide on a course of action at the same time. What type of social game is this?

Answer 61

A simultaneous game

These games involve players who choose actions simultaneously.

Question 62

In the context of game theory, what term describes a game in which one player chooses which action to take, and then the other player chooses his or her action?

Answer 62

sequential game

These games occur when players choose their actions in a particular sequence. Examples include chess or business negotiations. Each player must look ahead in order to know what action to choose now.

Question 63

In the context of game theory, what term describes a game that occurs only once and in which the players are unlikely to know much about each other?

Answer 63

one-shot game

In these games, the stakes may be high, but the game is not repeated, which influences the choices made by players.

Question 64

The example of reciprocal altruism below best supports a specific explanation for altruistic behavior.

A gazelle sees a lion approaching and gives a warning to all nearby members of its herd. While that gazelle may die as a result of that action, it has saved the remainder of the herd, allowing members to continue to reproduce.

Answer 64

inclusive fitness theory

This theory posits that it is not just genetic propagation of one’s own genes that motivates behavior, but also indirect reproduction (where other members of a closely related group are able to reproduce, such as a cousin or nephew in humans or related herd members in gazelles).

Question 65

What is a negative, usually unjustified attitude directed toward a person based on their membership in a specific group?

Answer 65

prejudice

Prejudice often leads individuals to hold negative opinions about others even before actually meeting or getting to know them.

Question 66

What is the term for an action taken against a member of a specific group based on prejudice or bias?

Answer 66

discrimination

Discrimination is action based on prejudice or bias. This results in unjust or prejudicial treatment, usually on the basis of race, age, religion, gender, or other factors along those lines.

Question 67

Fill in the blank.

An audit of a school’s admissions practices reveals that one committee member was purposely voting against all Asian applicants. This is _________ discrimination.

Answer 67

individual

Individual discrimination occurs when one individual or group is acting based on personal prejudice.

Question 68

Fill in the blank.

A large city awards most construction projects to a small handful of construction companies. All of those companies have a policy that new hires must own steel-toed work boots before coming to work. As a result, workers who cannot afford boots often do not show up to their first day or do not even apply for the job. This company is practicing ____________.

Answer 68

institutional discrimination

This is the unjust and discriminatory (but often subtle or unintentional) mistreatment of an individual or group of individuals by society as a whole and/or its institutions. In this example, those with a low socioeconomic status are being discriminated against by the government-sanctioned construction companies.

Question 69

True or false.

If multiple individuals at an organization are biased against the same ethnic group, this constitutes institutional discrimination.

Answer 69

False

This is simply multiple instances of individual discrimination. Institutional discrimination requires that there be systematic discrimination on the part of the institution (often via explicit or implicit procedures).