AAMC Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (PS) Full-Length (FL) 1 Practice Test

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• What is a primary focus of social psychology when studying group dynamics?
• In psychology, what does hyperactivity commonly refer to?
• What was a key finding from the Stanford prison experiment regarding role assignment?
• Which phenomenon describes the difficulty cultural liaisons face in their role?
• What is the bystander effect?
• Which of the following is a primary area of study within the field of developmental psychology?
• How is empathy defined in a psychological context?
• Which statement does NOT identify an aspect of the concept of assimilation?
• If adults performed the block tapping task as a measure of working memory capacity, they would most likely replicate sequences of what length correctly?
• What is the primary factor influencing individuals' increased risk aversion as they age, according to the behaviorist perspective?
• How do neighborhood-level socioeconomic inequalities affect physician-patient interactions?
• A researcher suggests that increased sympathetic nervous system activity affects affiliation ratings during repetitive behavior studies. Is this explanation likely supported?
• What does the term 'social facilitation' refer to in psychology?
• What does the term 'self-efficacy' refer to?
• In Piaget's water conservation task, what is the expected response from the majority of 11-year-olds?
• In social psychology, what does 'ingroup bias' refer to?
• If this study were replicated, which hypothesis would most likely be supported?
• What psychological phenomenon describes the tendency for people to conform to the group norm?
• What outcome is a result of learned helplessness?
• What is the term for a socially shared belief about a group of people that can be positive or negative?
• Based on research findings, which conclusion about ADHD is most likely?
• The study found that Mexican immigrants reported worse physical and mental health statuses than the other Latino immigrant groups. What provides the best explanation of this finding?
• What best describes the nature of cognitive appraisal?
• What is social loafing?
• Which emotion is significantly affected by the neurotransmitter dopamine?
• What does the placebo effect refer to?
• What is the primary objective of observational studies in psychology?
• What is the primary focus of socialization in psychology?
• Define 'cognitive dissonance' in psychology.
• What might increase performance in the presence of others?
• In a weight-loss program study with a mean BMI of 30 and a median BMI of 25, which statement accurately describes the sample?
• Sociologists describe the health benefits of social support as resulting from all of the following EXCEPT?
• What is the purpose of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?
• Which psychological concept examines how group dynamics influence behavior?
• What is sublimation in defense mechanisms?
• What is attachment theory primarily concerned with?
• What does the concept of social norms help to establish?
• What does psychodynamic theory primarily focus on in understanding human behavior?
• What psychological effect describes performing better on tasks in the presence of others?
• What methodological approach would be most appropriate for studying how a social movement organization presents its beliefs?
• What cognitive effect is more likely to occur in a serial condition compared to a simultaneous condition?
• What is neuroplasticity?
• What is the main focus of existential psychology?
• What does role conflict refer to in social psychology?
• According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which group of participants are most likely dealing with the challenges of generativity versus stagnation?
• Which of the following structures is NOT a main component of the limbic system?
• What is the primary function of the nervous system in behavior?
• What factor is indicated to influence memory accuracy for locations?
• How do neurotransmitters affect behavior?
• What is the difference between classical conditioning and operant conditioning?
• What best describes the idea of self-esteem?
• What do social scripts refer to in social psychology?
• The Stanford prison experiment highlighted the effects of what kind of factors?
• What is the predominant neurotransmitter involved in the reward system of the brain?
• In the context of the brain, what function does the amygdala serve?
• Interoceptive awareness is sensitivity to increases in the activity of which system?
• What is the least likely reason for dropping highly anxious participants from a research study?
• Which of the following best describes the characteristics of 'anxiety disorders'?
• Why is the placebo effect significant in psychological treatment?
• What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
• What is the primary focus of humanistic psychology?
• How is 'major depressive disorder' characterized?
• Why might a cultural liaison be preferred over training physicians in cultural competency?
• What is the main function of the hippocampus in the brain?
• What is self-esteem?
• What distinguishes 'normative' social influence from 'descriptive' social influence?
• What does the concept of 'reciprocal determinism' suggest about behavior?
• How does depression typically manifest?
• What is the purpose of the scientific method in psychology?
• Which psychological concept explains how individuals attribute causes to their own and others' behaviors?
• How can cognitive bias be defined?
• How does motivation influence learning outcomes?
• What do social norms refer to?
• Which type of memory would most likely be activated first during a computer task?
• Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with mood regulation?
• In the scenario described, the teens of the new country's dominant culture become what type of group for the immigrant teen?
• What is the criterion for entering the concrete operations stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development?
• What does the principle of 'reciprocal determinism' emphasize?
• After learning to ride a bike, what type of memory is being used each time the individual rides again?
• Which psychological disorder is characterized by excessive worry across multiple domains?
• What is 'learned helplessness'?
• What cognitive process is primarily affected by the thalamus?
• According to the triangular theory of love, what are the three main components of love?
• Which extrinsic factor most likely accounts for the motivational differences between groups?
• What does the term 'homeostasis' refer to?
• In attachment theory, what does 'secure attachment' refer to?
• In a study where participants' salivation decreases with repeated trials of lemon juice, which process is being observed?
• According to Selye's general adaptation syndrome, adding a physical stressor to the study is:
• What does emotional intelligence involve?
• Which of the following is a common outcome observed in group polarization?
• What does 'self-efficacy' refer to in psychological terms?
• What is the key difference between symptoms and signs in mental health?
• What is the main focus of social psychology?
• What psychological disorder is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest?
• What is the primary goal of qualitative research in psychology?
• What is a common outcome of race-concordant physician-patient relationships?
• How does reinforcement affect behavior?
• What does the trimodal model propose about personality development?
• What characterizes Alzheimer's disease?
• What is meant by 'role conflict' in social psychology?
• In cognitive psychology, what is working memory?
• What type of memory is primarily engaged when riding a bike becomes easy after practice?
• In the study about scent influencing painting ratings, what is the independent variable?
• Which concept refers to an individual performing better in a group setting?
• Which term refers to closed status positions that hinder social mobility?
• What conclusion can be drawn about the impact of priming stereotypes on performance?
• Which conclusion is best supported by the outcome of a study indicating that synchronous activity increases conformity?
• What is the most likely structure affected by damage that results in difficulties performing synchronous behaviors?
• What is meant by 'emotional regulation'?
• What does emotional intelligence encompass?
• Which research design is LEAST appropriate for studying residential segregation?
• What is the placebo effect?
• What is the significance of reinforcement in behaviorism?
• What does the concept of 'groupthink' refer to?
• What structure of the eye is most likely to be damaged by flaking skin behind the eyelids in individuals with Harlequin ichthyosis?
• How do synchronous behaviors typically affect group dynamics regarding compliance?
• Which factors are primarily involved in reciprocal determinism?
• Which theory focuses on the observance and imitation of behaviors?
• Which approach to psychological disorders is most closely related to Maintenance Factor 1?
• The research in the passage is best described as a:
• What does positive psychology focus on?
• Which psychological theory focuses on the ways in which individuals are influenced by their interactions with others?
• Self-esteem is often influenced by what type of feedback?
• In the context of social influence, what does descriptive influence refer to?
• How is 'masculinity' defined in cultural psychology?
• How is 'cognitive impairment' defined?
• What does attribution theory explain?
• What is a key characteristic of cognitive behavioral therapy?
• What is referred to when discussing an 'identity crisis'?
• What is LEAST likely to occur as an effect of gentrification?
• What behavior model suggests that behavior is learned through observing others?
• Describe the concept of 'attachment' in developmental psychology.
• In the context of psychological research, what is operationalization?
• In psychology, what does the term 'cognitive dissonance' refer to?
• What are the three main components of attitude according to the ABC model?
• In psychology, what role do unconscious strategies play?
• Which psychological phenomenon is characterized by prioritizing group consensus over critical thinking?
• How does the placebo effect commonly influence treatment outcomes?
• What does the term 'heuristic' refer to in decision-making processes?
• Engaging in synchronous behaviors is most likely to lead to an increase in which of the following?
• What significance does the concept of 'emotional intelligence' have in interpersonal relationships?
• What is the primary function of the thalamus in the brain?
• Which phenomenon occurs when group pressure leads to an individual suppressing their personal beliefs?
• What characterizes psychopathy?
• Which of the following best illustrates a cognitive bias?
• What does Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory outline?
• What is meant by group polarization?
• What effect does stigma have on individuals with mental health issues?
• What are the health effects associated with chronic stress?
• Which finding would support the validity of the DMQ measure?
• Persistent, intense anxiety can lead to which type of psychological disorder?
• What characteristic is a common indicator of major depressive disorder?
• What primary role does the thalamus serve in the brain?
• What is cultural relativism?
• What is one advantage of including a specially trained cultural liaison?
• Which of the following represents a feature of mania in bipolar disorder?
• How is a psychological disorder defined?
• Which assessment represents a subjective measure of motivation?
• Which interpretation of the research findings is consistent with the conflict theory perspective? Status hierarchies facilitate:
• What role do mirror neurons play in social behavior?
• Which type of analysis maps relationships among individuals in communicable disease studies?
• Which stage in Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory focuses on identity vs. role confusion?
• What pattern would confirm the independent variable had the intended effect on participants in a study?
• Which psychological perspective emphasizes the role of environmental factors in shaping behavior?
• What does the term 'stigma' refer to in psychological contexts?
• On average, how would group testing conditions affect adults' DMQ scores compared to testing alone?
• Define collectivism in cultural psychology.
• What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) primarily focused on?
• Which two processes best summarize Maintenance Factors 1 and 2, respectively?
• What is a key aspect of social scripts in interpersonal interactions?
• Define 'cultures' in the context of psychology.
• Define post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Which concept explains the idea that people are motivated to maintain consistency between their beliefs and behaviors?
• What does the term 'false consensus effect' describe?
• What is a primary function of the prefrontal cortex?
• Based on the passage, which conclusion is best supported?
• How do panic attacks function for Patient 2 in terms of behavioral response?
• What are defense mechanisms in psychology?
• What is the main principle behind Vygotsky's social development theory?
• In children diagnosed with ADHD, what is a common symptom related to hyperactivity?
• In a study about the effects of scent on art perception, which variable is manipulated?
• Which research methodology involves the extended, systematic observation of a complete social environment?
• What is the primary focus of social psychology?
• What term describes a social framework where individuals are perceived based on stereotypical or categorical assumptions?
• What does the term 'neuroplasticity' refer to?
• What is the main distinction between stigma and discrimination?
• What does 'cognitive appraisal' refer to?
• Which learning process is described as associating a neutral stimulus with a meaningful stimulus?
• What emotion is primarily linked with the detection processes of the amygdala?
• If participants' ethnic identity is a central part of their self-concept, what is the most likely outcome regarding stereotypes?
• What was the significance of the 'Stanford prison experiment'?
• What are the stages of grief according to Kübler-Ross?
• What aspect of human behavior do the biological foundations of behavior primarily focus on?
• What does systematic desensitization aim to achieve in therapy?
• Which type of research is least likely to provide data on the role of Maintenance Factor 1 on panic disorder?
• What phenomenon are cultural liaisons most likely to experience due to their advocacy role?
• Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of learned helplessness?
• How does confirmation bias affect decision-making?
• What measure would best assess sympathetic arousal in participants during a study?
• Which explanation of results aligns with the optimal arousal theory regarding participants reminded of their membership in a stereotyped group?
• Which of the following is a symptom of depression according to the DSM-5?
• What is dopamine primarily associated with in behavior?
• What is operant conditioning?
• Which theory posits that human behavior is motivated by the drive to satisfy basic needs?
• What type of ion channel is opened by sound-induced vibrations in hair cells of the cochlea?
• A researcher suggests that the benefits of bilingualism are related to the idea that the structure of language affects the perceptions of its speakers. This researcher is referring to which concept?
• In a research study, which factor would be considered a lurking variable that could influence the results?
• Suppose squares 1, 2, 3, and 4 light up from left to right. What process is most likely being used to enhance working memory capacity?
• Which statement best applies behaviorist theory to explain the association between age and DMQ scores?
• In exploring the effects of social media on mental health, which psychological approach emphasizes the importance of understanding individual experiences and perceptions?
• What does the term 'cognitive appraisal' involve?
• What role does the amygdala play in emotional processing?
• In the context of workplace dynamics, what is a primary impact of role conflict experienced by employees?
• What is the main idea behind the bystander effect?
• Which brain structure is primarily associated with emotional processing?
• Why do higher levels of patient trust and physician attention occur in race-concordant relationships?
• What is the role of the frontal lobe in human behavior?
• What does behavior modification entail?
• What is the primary focus of the biological perspective in psychology?
• What is the significance of motivation in behavior?
• What describes the 'fight-or-flight' response?
• What is bipolar disorder characterized by?
• Which type of memory error is most likely when participants recall objects from memory instead of recognizing them from a box?
• According to Maintenance Factor 1, what do mild changes in bodily sensations act as?
• What is the primary focus of the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (PS) section of the MCAT?
• Which research approach examines social interactions and structures in depth?