TheoryMCAT Study Guide
Study for the MCAT with exam topics, practice questions, a free PDF, video walkthrough and timed mock exam links.
How to study for MCAT
- Read the topic list so you know what the exam is likely to cover.
- Answer the free practice questions and read every explanation.
- Download the PDF for offline review.
- Use timed mock exams when your untimed practice feels comfortable.
Topics to review
- Safe and effective care environment
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychosocial and physiological integrity
- Pharmacology, infection control and patient safety
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Q1Sam sits at a computer terminal and watches some flashes on the screen. After watching the flashes, Sam becomes happier. Unknown to Sam the flashes are actually the words <em>kittens</em> and <em>smile</em>.<br/><br/>What psychological phenomenon is Sam experiencing?
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✓ Correct answer: Priming
Priming occurs when, generally without awareness, exposure to a stimulus changes thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.
Q2Early personality theories in psychology assumed that personality was expressed in people's physical appearance. Which alternative correctly matches an early approach with a definition?
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✓ Correct answer: Physiognomy—personality is expressed in facial characteristics
Physiognomy refers to the study of a person's facial features or expression.
Q3The son of a bricklayer goes to college and i) becomes a teacher at a medical school, ii) gets promoted to tenured professor, and iii) moves across the country for a new tenured professor position at a different school. Sequentially, this man has experienced:
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✓ Correct answer: intergenerational mobility with respect to the father, upward mobility, horizontal mobility
Intragenerational mobility, also called career mobility, describes a change in an individual’s social standing during the course of an individual’s lifetime. Intragenerational mobility most often occurs through promotions and demotions at work. Intergenerational mobility involves a change in social standing across generations, such as when an upper class family loses their fortune and the next generation all become tradesmen. Alternatively, children of a working class family might work very hard to increase their social standing through education and career advancement. a) intergenerational mobility with respect to the father, horizontal mobility, horizontal mobility, incorrect, The promotion is an example of upward rather than horizontal mobility. Horizontal mobility refers to a move within the same category of status, e.g. taking a job in a new location with equivalent title to a former job. Vertical mobility, which may be upward or downward, refers to moving from one social level to another. b) intragenerational mobility with respect to the son, upward mobility, upward mobility, incorrect, The transfer is an example of horizontal rather than vertical mobility. c) intergenerational mobility with respect to the father, upward mobility, horizontal mobility, correct. d) intragenerational mobility with respect to the son, horizontal mobility, upward mobility, incorrect, The promotion is upward mobility and the transfer is horizontal mobility.
Q4Which of the following is characteristic of stage 1 of non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM sleep)?
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✓ Correct answer: Eye movements are slow and electroencephalogram (EEG) shows low brain wave activity.
The non-rapid eye movement stage of sleep, NREM or synchronized sleep, involves four stages. The transition from wakefulness to sleep occurs during stage 1. Eye movements are slow and the electroencepalogram (EEG) shows low brain wave activity. In stage 2, EEG activity is increased. Spikes called K complexes are recorded. In stage 3, eye movement ceases. Wave frequency is reduced and amplitude is increased. Delta activity is recorded on the EEG in stage 4. Stages 3 and 4 are considered deep sleep.
Q5According to attachment theory, which of the following children is most likely to attach to a male psychologist, previously unknown to the child, in the course of a psychological study?
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✓ Correct answer: A two month old female infant raised in a safe, stable environment
Attachment theory describes a series of steps that infants will progress through as they grow. During the first three months of life, an infant will indiscriminately attach to any person and will respond equally to any caregiver. Thus (A) is an apt description of attaching to a previously unknown adult. Around 4 to 6 months babies will begin to recognize certain caregivers but will still accept care from anyone. Thus in (B) the baby will probably accept care from the psychologist, but the infant in (A) is much more likely to attach to the psychologist. From 6 to 9 months a baby will exhibit a strong attachment preference for a single caregiver, although the pattern of that attachment will vary based on the relationship that has developed between the caregiver and the child. Despite the neglect, the child in (C) will still have a preference for a single caregiver. After 9 months, children slowly develop increasing independence and will slowly form multiple attachments. The child in (D) will thus begin to develop attachments to both caregivers, but not to the psychologist, who is a stranger.
Q6Why might implicit measures such as the IAT be used to assess racial stereotypes?
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✓ Correct answer: To assess them more accurately
The IAT is used to assess stereotypes without people being able to hide them from the experimenter.
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