Demographics MCAT

Behaviorism

Focuses on observable behaviors and how they're learned through conditioning

Classical Conditioning

Learning by associating two stimuli (Pavlov's dogs)

Operant Conditioning

Learning by associating behaviors with consequences (Skinner)

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a reward to increase behavior

Negative Reinforcement

Removing something unpleasant to increase behavior

Positive Punishment

Adding something unpleasant to decrease behavior

Negative Punishment

Removing something pleasant to decrease behavior

Shaping

Reinforcing small steps toward a desired behavior

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs without obvious reinforcement, only shown when needed

Observational Learning

Learning by watching others (Bandura, Bobo doll)

Mirror Neurons

Neurons that fire when performing or watching an action (linked to observational learning)

Social Learning Theory

Behavior is learned through observing, imitating, and modeling others

Demographics

Statistical characteristics of populations (age, gender, race, etc.)

Age Cohort

A group of people born around the same time (e.g., Millennials, Gen Z)

Dependency Ratio

The number of dependents (young + old) compared to the working-age population

Population Pyramid

Graph showing age and sex distribution in a population

Fertility Rate

Average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime

Mortality Rate

Number of deaths per unit population in a given time

Migration

The movement of people from one place to another, affecting population size

Demographic Transition

A model showing how birth and death rates change as a country develops