MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Practice Test

Which psychological model proposes that people are motivated to engage in behaviors based on their beliefs about health, perceived threat of illness, and the perceived benefits versus barriers to action?

In the context of memory, what is the term for the phenomenon where information learned earlier interferes with the ability to recall information learned later?

Which theory of emotion posits that physiological arousal and the cognitive interpretation of that arousal produce the experience of emotion?

What concept in social psychology refers to the adjustment of one's behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard as a result of real or imagined group pressure?

Which type of schema involves a set of beliefs and expectations about a particular social group that can affect perception and behavior?

What is the psychological term for the study of how people think about, influence, and relate to one another in social contexts?

Which concept refers to an individual's consistent pattern of thought, feeling, and behavior, which is unique to each person and remains relatively stable over time?

In the realm of observational learning, what term is used to describe the process of watching others and then imitating their behavior?

What term is used to describe a widespread cultural belief that one's society, culture, or country is superior to all others?

Which memory system has a virtually unlimited capacity and can store information for potentially a lifetime?

Which term describes the phenomenon where people tend to comply more readily with a large request after having agreed to a small request?

In psychological research, what term is used to describe a detailed analysis of a single individual, group, event, or situation?

Which of the following best describes "group polarization"?

Which term is used in psychology to describe the discrepancy between one's private beliefs and public behavior in order to avoid social rejection?

What psychological construct refers to the belief in one's capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to manage prospective situations?

What is the term for the systematic error of inappropriately applying human attributes to non-human entities or objects?

Which of the following best defines "deindividuation"?

In the context of memory, what is the effect called when current emotions influence how events are remembered?

What psychological principle explains the observation that people are more likely to remember unusual or distinctive information compared to common information?

What term is used to describe a form of social influence where an individual performs an action under the direct authority of another person, typically disregarding personal conscience?

In the context of developmental psychology, which theory posits that children actively construct their understanding of the world through their experiences and interactions?

Which concept explains the reduced effort individuals put into tasks when they are working in a group compared to when they are working alone?

Which of the following best describes the concept of "flashbulb memory"?

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which level must be fulfilled before an individual can achieve esteem needs?

Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the brain's reward and pleasure centers, and is also linked to addiction?

In the context of operant conditioning, what is the term for removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated?

What term is used to describe the improvement in group performance on tasks that are simple or well-practiced as a result of the presence of others?

Which psychological perspective emphasizes the role of unconscious processes and childhood experiences in shaping behaviors and personality?

Which theory of emotion would suggest that physiological arousal and the emotional experience occur simultaneously?

The "Bystander Effect" is less likely to occur in which of the following situations?

Which principle explains the tendency for people to remember the first and last items in a series better than the middle items?

Which phenomenon describes when individuals attribute their successes to internal factors and their failures to external factors?

What term is used to describe a mental state where an individual is unable to reconcile new information with existing beliefs, leading to discomfort?

In the context of social psychology, which concept refers to the adjustment of one's behaviors, attitudes, or beliefs to align with those of a group, due to real or imagined pressure?

Which type of memory is responsible for the ability to perform tasks without conscious thought, such as riding a bicycle?

What is the psychological term for the improvement of performance on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others?

In the context of social inequality, which concept best explains the phenomenon where wealthy individuals are more likely to attend prestigious universities, not solely based on merit but also due to the social networks and resources available to them?

Which theory most accurately explains how public behavior is influenced by the presence of a social structure that legitimizes authority and power distribution?

What term is used to describe a situation where a group or society unjustly disfavors individuals or groups based on prejudiced beliefs, leading to unequal treatment and opportunities?

In the context of social change, which concept refers to the process by which societal norms and values evolve over time, often as a result of conflicts between differing social groups?

Which concept explains the decrease in voter turnout in elections as a result of individuals perceiving their vote as insignificant in the larger electoral process?

In the study of deviance, which theory suggests that deviance is learned through interactions with others who encourage or engage in deviant behavior?

What concept refers to the phenomenon where individuals in a society have unequal access to technology, impacting their ability to participate fully in modern society?

Which theory explains how societies transition from a focus on survival and economic richness to a focus on post-materialistic values such as environmental protection and human rights?

Which term describes a form of social stratification where status is determined by one's family history and social standing at birth, rather than personal achievement?

In the context of social movements, what term refers to the theory that social movements are composed of individuals with a shared sense of injustice or grievance but who lack the structural organization typically found in traditional groups?

What concept refers to a communication process in a society where a small number of people or institutions control the flow of information, shaping public opinion and behavior?

Which theory suggests that social order and stability are primarily achieved through the comprehensive socialization of individuals into shared values and norms, rather than through coercion or power?

In sociology, which concept describes the increased connectedness and interdependence of world cultures and economies?

Which concept explains the observation that high levels of social integration and regulation can lead to an increased rate of suicide within a society?

What term is used to describe the systematic disparities in health, wealth, education, and power among countries and groups within countries due to historical and current social policies and practices?

Which sociological perspective emphasizes the role of symbols and language as core elements of all human interaction?

During embryonic development, which of the following processes correctly describes the formation of the neural tube?

In the context of enzyme kinetics, how does a noncompetitive inhibitor alter an enzyme's activity?

What is the primary function of the sodium-potassium pump (Na+/K+ ATPase) in neuronal cells?