MCAT (Psychological, Social, and Biological)

Question 1

The World Systems Theory divides the world into three subcategories: core, periphery, and semi-periphery countries.
 Which of the following statements best describe countries in the semi-periphery?

Accepted Answer

A diversified and developed economy.

Answer

An economy centralized around one natural resource.

Answer

Small percentage of very high class individuals.

Answer

Strong central government.

Question 2

In the United States, the Industrial Revolution saw a major drive toward urbanization for living areas. Which of the following is NOT a 
benefit to people who relocate from rural to urban regions?

Accepted Answer

Decrease in gentrification

Answer

Improved utilities

Answer

Increased transportation

Answer

Job opportunities

Question 3

Karl Marx proposed the Conflict Theory, which is founded on the idea that power determines how people interact in society. 
Which of the following assertions is the most accurate representation of the Conflict Theory?

Accepted Answer

Society consists of one group of people who desire change and one group of people who are content with status quo.

Answer

People act based on their past experiences to view society through a lens.

Answer

Institutions will only change when they have to in order to meet demand and to the minimum necessary.

Answer

Society agrees on the specific value of an item that otherwise would not have intrinsic worth.

Question 4

The rational choice theory is founded on the idea that acts are chosen based on the individual's benefit. Completeness, transitivity, 
and variable independence are the three essential axioms of rational theory. What kind of system is most appropriately described?

Accepted Answer

Hierarchical

Answer

Patriarchal

Answer

Oligarchic

Answer

Matriarchal

Question 5

A group of engineers working on signal lights for planes that may be used to guide them to runways is trying to figure out how bright the light 
needs to be for the pilot to notice the tower from a mile away. They adjust the brightness of the light to a test level and establish contact with 
an oncoming pilot. The pilot claims he can't see the light while he's a mile away from the tower. What would this be called in terms of Signal
 Detection Theory?

Accepted Answer

Miss

Answer

Correct rejection

Answer

Hit

Answer

False alarm

Question 6

An individual comes to the clinic for an initial evaluation and to begin treatment. The patient was born as a 46-year-old man named XY, 
but she identifies as a woman. She/Her are her preferred pronouns. Furthermore, she is only sexually active with females. What would 
you use to characterize this person's gender and sexual orientation?

Accepted Answer

Transgender, homosexual

Answer

Cis-gender, homosexual

Answer

Cis-gender, heterosexual

Answer

Transgender, heterosexual

Question 7

Samantha is a college student who is working with her therapist to improve her self-esteem and self-efficacy. After three months 
of counseling, she has observed a significant improvement in her capacity to handle problems. Which of the following is NOT an
 approach her therapist would recommend for increasing her sense of self-efficacy?

Accepted Answer

Avoid potential pitfalls by withholding from tasks she is not proficient in.

Answer

Seek positive feedback from friends.

Answer

Put in daily practice on the tasks she wishes to improve on.

Answer

Find others her age and ability who excel at tasks she is interested in.

Question 8

A scientist conducting research on hearing aids fitted 30 mice with the newest technology after they were genetically changed to lose their 
hearing and were tested to press a lever when they heard a bell. This was set to a range of power levels. Twenty mice pressed the lever at 80% 
power. 15 mice pressed the lever at 70 percent power. Ten mice pressed the lever with 60 percent power. Which of the following is the absolute
 threshold for hearing the decibels produced by the bell?

Accepted Answer

70%

Answer

Not enough information given.

Answer

80%

Answer

60%

Question 9

Tom is a nationally recognized cellist who has recently accepted a scholarship to play in the orchestra at a prominent university. He was handed
 a package of sheet music during the summer to master by the fall semester. When it comes to his work, Tom is a perfectionist. He constantly 
compares himself to better musicians and is quite critical of himself when a section of one of his pieces is not mastered. Which of the following
 statements most accurately describes Tom?

Accepted Answer

Low self-esteem, strong self-efficacy, internal locus of control

Answer

High self-esteem, strong self-efficacy, internal locus of control

Answer

Low self-esteem, low self-efficacy, internal locus of control

Answer

Low self-esteem, strong self-efficacy, external locus of control

Question 10

New York City has a population of nearly 7 million people from all walks of life. Although the city has its own distinct qualities, there are 
various smaller districts, mainly clusters of people of the same nationality who follow the customs of their previous home country. For
 example, greeting individuals with cheek kisses is still usual in Little Italy, a small village within the city. What kind of phenomenon is 
this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Subculture

Answer

Culture lag

Answer

Counterculture

Answer

Microculture