MCAT Study Cards MD Daily -Behavioral (Psych/Soc)

Tympanic membrane (Ear Drum)

Ear structure] is a thin flap of skin that is stretched tight like a drum and vibrates when sound hits it

The cochlea translates sound into nerve impulses to be sent to the brain

The cochlea translates sound into [...] to be sent to the brain

The [ear structure] is a sensory system responsible for providing our brain with information about motion, head position, and spatial orientation; it also is involved with motor functions that allow us to keep our balance

The vestibular system is a sensory system responsible for providing our brain with information about motion, head position, and spatial orientation; it also is involved with motor functions that allow us to keep our balance

Semicircular canals are responsible for balance.

Semicircular canals are responsible for [...]

The superior olive is located in the brain stem and its function is to localize sound

The superior olive is located in the [...] and its function is to [...]

The [ear structure] is responsible for the startle reflex and vestibulo-ocular reflex

The inferior colliculus is responsible for the startle reflex and vestibulo-ocular reflex

The vestibulo-ocular reflex keeps the eyes fixed on a single point as the head rotates

The [... reflex] keeps the eyes fixed on a single point as the head rotates

Give the auditory pathway:

[...] → [...] → [...] → [...]

Cochlea → vestibulocochlear nerve → medial geniculate nucleus → auditory cortex

Identify the item missing from the auditory pathway:

Cochlea → vestibulocochlear nerve → [...] → auditory cortex

Cochlea → vestibulocochlear nerve → medial geniculate nucleus → auditory cortex

Smell is the detection of volatile or aerosolized chemicals by the olfactory chemoreceptors

Smell is the detection of volatile or aerosolized chemicals by the [...] chemoreceptors

[...] are chemicals given off by animals that have an effect on social foraging, and sexual behavior

Pheromones are chemicals given off by animals that have an effect on social foraging, and sexual behavior

The five categories of taste are:

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

Sweet

Sour

Salty

Bitter

Umamai

Somatosensation refers to the four touch modalities: pressure, vibration, pain, and temperature

[...] refers to the four touch modalities: pressure, vibration, pain, and temperature

The [...] is the minimum distance necessary between two points of stimulation on the skin such that the points will be felt as two distinct stimuli

The two-point threshold is the minimum distance necessary between two points of stimulation on the skin such that the points will be felt as two distinct stimuli

[...] is a temperature that is felt by the skin as neither warm nor cold

Physiological zero is a temperature that is felt by the skin as neither warm nor cold

Nociceptors sense pain

Nociceptors sense [...]

The [... theory] of pain asserts that non-painful input closes the nerve "gates" to painful input, which prevents pain sensation from traveling to the central nervous system

The gate control theory of pain asserts that non-painful input closes the nerve "gates" to painful input, which prevents pain sensation from traveling to the central nervous system

[...] is the sense that tells you information about your body's position

Proprioception is the sense that tells you information about your body's position

Top-down processing is the recognition of an object by [...]

Top-down processing is the recognition of an object by memories and expectations

Using bottom-up processing, one will process [...] first, then the [...]

Using bottom-up processing, one will process details first, then the whole object

[...] are principles of how our minds groups things

Gestalt principles are principles of how our minds groups things

According to the gestalt principle of [...], objects that are placed close together are perceived as being more related than those spaced farther apart

According to the gestalt principle of proximity, objects that are placed close together are perceived as being more related than those spaced farther apart

According to the gestalt principle of [...], we tend to perceive things that physically resemble one another as part of the same object

According to the gestalt principle of similarity, we tend to perceive things that physically resemble one another as part of the same object

According to the gestalt principle of [...], when a shape is not complete, but enough of the shape is shown, our minds will fill in the blanks and construct the whole of the shape

According to the gestalt principle of continuity, when a shape is not complete, but enough of the shape is shown, our minds will fill in the blanks and construct the whole of the shape

According to the gestalt principle of [...], we tend to see complete figures even when part of the information is missing

According to the gestalt principle of closure, we tend to see complete figures even when part of the information is missing

[...] states that people will perceive and interpret ambiguous or complex images as the simplest form(s) possible

Law of Prägnanz states that people will perceive and interpret ambiguous or complex images as the simplest form(s) possible

Habituation is when one becomes used to a stimulus

[...] is when one becomes used to a stimulus

Dishabituation may occur after habituation and is when a second stimulus intervenes causing a resensitization of the original stimulus

[...] may occur after habituation and is when a second stimulus intervenes causing a resensitization of the original stimulus

The associative learning theory states that ideas reinforce each other and can be linked to one another

The [...] theory states that ideas reinforce each other and can be linked to one another

[...] is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior

Operant conditioning is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior

Reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior

[...] increases the likelihood of a behavior

Punishment decreases the likelihood of a behavior

[...] decreases the likelihood of a behavior

Schedules of reinforcement can be based on intervals or the ratio of behavior / reward

Schedules of reinforcement can be based on [...] or [...]

Positive responses add something 

Positive responses [...] something 

Negative responses remove something

Negative responses [...] something

When a previously reinforced behavior is no longer reinforced, it becomes [...]

When a previously reinforced behavior is no longer reinforced, it becomes extinct

[...] is when behavior that is closer and closer to the target behavior is reinforced

Shaping is when behavior that is closer and closer to the target behavior is reinforced

In classical conditioning, a [...] becomes a [...] that produces a conditioned response

In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus that produces a conditioned response

[...] is the acquisition of behavior by watching others

Observational learning or modeling is the acquisition of behavior by watching others

[...] is the process of putting new info into memory

Encoding is the process of putting new info into memory

[...] is a specific type of encoding in which the meaning of something is encoded as opposed to the sound or vision of it

Semantic encoding is a specific type of encoding in which the meaning of something is encoded as opposed to the sound or vision of it

[... memory] and [... memory] are transient and based on neurotransmitter activity

Sensory memory and short term memory are transient and based on neurotransmitter activity

[... memory] is responsible for temporarily holding information available for processing

Working memory is responsible for temporarily holding information available for processing

[... memory] is responsible for the storage of information for an extended period of time

Long term memory is responsible for the storage of information for an extended period of time

[... memory] accounts for memories that we must consciously recall with effort and focus

Explicit (declarative) memory accounts for memories that we must consciously recall with effort and focus

[... memory] is acquired and used unconsciously

Implicit memory is acquired and used unconsciously

Semantic networks link concepts together based on similar [...]

Semantic networks link concepts together based on similar meaning

[...] is re-accessing of events or information from the past

Retrieval is re-accessing of events or information from the past

Alzheimer's is a degenerative brain disorder linked to a loss of acetylcholine in neurons that link to the hippocampus

Alzheimer's is a degenerative brain disorder linked to a loss of [...] in neurons that link to the [...]

Korsakoff’s Syndrome memory loss is caused by a/an thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency in the brain

Korsakoff’s Syndrome memory loss is caused by a/an [...] deficiency in the brain

Agnosia is the loss of ability to recognize objects, people, or sounds

Agnosia is the loss of ability to recognize [...]

Retroactive interference is when new memories make you forget old memories

[... interference] is when new memories make you forget old memories

[... interference] is when old memories interfere with learning new memories

Proactive interference is when old memories interfere with learning new memories

The information processing model states that the brain encodes, stores, and retrieves info much like a computer

The [... model] states that the brain encodes, stores, and retrieves info much like a computer

Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development:

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

Sensorimotor: 0-2 Preoperational: 2-7 Concrete Operational: 7-11 Formal Operational: 12 and older

Piaget's sensorimotor stage is from [...] to [...] years old

Piaget's sensorimotor stage is from 0 to 2 years old

Piaget's preoperational stage is from [...] to [...] years old

Piaget's preoperational stage is from 2 to 7 years old

Piaget's concrete operational stage is from [...] to [...] years old

Piaget's concrete operational stage is from 7 to 11 years old

Piaget's formal operational stage is from age [...] and older

Piaget's formal operational stage is from age 12 and older

[Deductive or Inductive] reasoning starts with rules, then forms conclusions

Deductive reasoning starts with rules, then forms conclusions

[Deductive or Inductive] reasoning starts with evidence, then forms conclusions

Inductive reasoning starts with evidence, then forms conclusions

A/an [...] is a framework for thinking about a problem

A/an mental set is a framework for thinking about a problem

[...] is the tendency to use objects only in the way they are normally utilized

Functional fixedness is the tendency to use objects only in the way they are normally utilized

[...] are mental shortcuts that allow people to solve problems and make judgments quickly and efficiently

Heuristics are mental shortcuts that allow people to solve problems and make judgments quickly and efficiently

Availability heuristic is a mental shortcut that relies on immediate examples that come to a person's mind when evaluating a situation

[...] is a mental shortcut that relies on immediate examples that come to a person's mind when evaluating a situation

[...] is a mental shortcut that helps us make a decision by comparing information to our mental prototypes

Representativeness heuristic is a mental shortcut that helps us make a decision by comparing information to our mental prototypes

[...] is the tendency to focus on information that fits an individual’s beliefs, while rejecting information that goes against those beliefs

Confirmation bias is the tendency to focus on information that fits an individual’s beliefs, while rejecting information that goes against those beliefs

[Theory] differentiates human intelligence into specific 'modalities', rather than seeing intelligence as dominated by a single general ability

Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences differentiates human intelligence into specific 'modalities', rather than seeing intelligence as dominated by a single general ability

[...] refers to the actual sound of speech

Phonology refers to the actual sound of speech

[...] refers to the building blocks of words

Morphology refers to the building blocks of words

[...] refers to the meaning of words

Semantics refers to the meaning of words

[...] refers to the rules dictating word order

Syntax refers to the rules dictating word order

[...] refers to the way language delivery changes depending on context

Pragmatics refers to the way language delivery changes depending on context

The [theory] of language states that language acquisition is innate

The nativist theory of language states that language acquisition is innate

The [theory] of language states that language acquisition is controlled by operant conditioning and reinforcement by parents and caregivers

The behaviorist theory of language states that language acquisition is controlled by operant conditioning and reinforcement by parents and caregivers

The [theory] of language states that language acquisition is caused by a motivation to communicate and interact with others

The social interactionist theory of language states that language acquisition is caused by a motivation to communicate and interact with others

The [...], also known as [...] states that the lens by which we view and interpret the world is created by language

The Whorfian hypothesis, also known as linguistic relativity states that the lens by which we view and interpret the world is created by language

[Brain area] produces speech

Broca's area produces speech

[Brain area] is in charge of language comprehension

Wernicke’s area is in charge of language comprehension

The [...] connects Broca’s area to the Wernicke’s area

The arcuate fasciculus connects Broca’s area to the Wernicke’s area

Difficulty producing speech is called [disorder] 

Difficulty producing speech is called Broca’s aphasia 

A lack of speech comprehension is called [...]

A lack of speech comprehension is called Wernicke’s aphasia

Someone with [disorder] can’t repeat words

Someone with conduction aphasia can’t repeat words

[...] is the state of being awake and thinking

Alertness is the state of being awake and thinking

An EEG shows [...] waves when alert or concentrating

An EEG shows BETA waves when alert or concentrating

An EEG shows [...] waves when awake but tired, eyes closed

An EEG shows ALPHA waves when awake but tired, eyes closed

[...] refers to when individuals appear to be in normal control of their faculties but are in a highly suggestible state

Hypnosis refers to when individuals appear to be in normal control of their faculties but are in a highly suggestible state

[...] is the practice of turning one's attention to a single point of reference; quieting of the mind

Meditation is the practice of turning one's attention to a single point of reference; quieting of the mind

Alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines are [stimulants or depressants]

Alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines are depressants

Amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstasy are [stimulants or depressants]

Amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstasy are stimulants

Opiates and opioids can cause death by [...]

Opiates and opioids can cause death by respiratory depression

LSD, peyote, mescaline, and ketamine are considered [...]  

LSD, peyote, mescaline, and ketamine are considered hallucinogens

The [...] pathway mediates drug addiction

The mesolimbic pathway mediates drug addiction

Give the sleep stages

[...]: Light sleep

[...]: Slightly deeper

[...]: Deep sleep

[...]: REM sleep

Stage 1: Light sleep

Stage 2: Slightly deeper

Stages 3 & 4: Deep sleep

Rapid Eye Movement: REM sleep

During sleep stage 1, [...] waves appear on EEG

During sleep stage 1, theta waves appear on EEG

Sleep spindles and K complexes appear during stage(s) [...] of sleep

Sleep spindles and K complexes appear during stage(s) two of sleep

Slow-wave sleep (SWS) occurs during stage(s) [...] of sleep

Slow-wave sleep (SWS) occurs during stage(s) 3 and 4 of sleep

During [sleep stage], the mind appears awake on EEG, but the person is asleep

During rapid eye movement sleep, the mind appears awake on EEG, but the person is asleep

[...] is a natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours

Circadian rhythm is a natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours

Dreaming occurs mostly during [sleep stage]

Dreaming occurs mostly during REM