As a pre-medical student, taking the MCAT exam can be one of the most daunting tasks. Not only
does it test your knowledge in various science fields, but it also includes a section on psychology. The
psychology section of the MCAT covers a wide range of topics including social psychology, abnormal
psychology, and biopsychology. In this article, we will provide you with some frequently asked
questions and answers to help you prepare for this section of the exam.
Q: What is the difference between classical conditioning and operant conditioning?
A: Classical conditioning is a type of learning where a neutral stimulus is paired with a stimulus that
naturally triggers a response. Over time, the neutral stimulus alone will begin to trigger the same
response. An example of this is Pavlov's dogs, where the sound of a bell (neutral stimulus) was
paired with the presentation of food (naturally triggering stimulus). Eventually, the sound of the bell
alone caused the dogs to salivate, even when food was not present.
On the other hand, operant conditioning is a type of learning where behavior is strengthened or
weakened based on the consequences that follow. Behaviors that are reinforced will be more likely
to occur again, while behaviors that are punished will become less likely to occur. An example of this
is a child receiving a sticker for completing their homework (positive reinforcement), which will
make them more likely to complete their homework in the future.
Q: What is the difference between conformity and obedience?
A: Conformity is the change in behavior or attitudes in response to group pressure. This can include
changing your behavior to match the behavior of others in the group, or changing your beliefs to
align with the group's beliefs. An example of this is the Asch conformity experiment, where
participants were asked to match the length of a line to a set of comparison lines. Even when the
correct answer was obvious, participants often chose an incorrect answer to match the answer given
by the rest of the group.
Obedience, on the other hand, is the act of following orders from an authority figure. This can
include following orders from a teacher, parent, or law enforcement officer. An example of this is
the Milgram obedience experiment, where participants were asked to administer increasingly strong
electric shocks to a person in another room, simply because an authority figure instructed them to
do so.
Q: What is the difference between a panic attack and a generalized anxiety disorder?
does it test your knowledge in various science fields, but it also includes a section on psychology. The
psychology section of the MCAT covers a wide range of topics including social psychology, abnormal
psychology, and biopsychology. In this article, we will provide you with some frequently asked
questions and answers to help you prepare for this section of the exam.
Q: What is the difference between classical conditioning and operant conditioning?
A: Classical conditioning is a type of learning where a neutral stimulus is paired with a stimulus that
naturally triggers a response. Over time, the neutral stimulus alone will begin to trigger the same
response. An example of this is Pavlov's dogs, where the sound of a bell (neutral stimulus) was
paired with the presentation of food (naturally triggering stimulus). Eventually, the sound of the bell
alone caused the dogs to salivate, even when food was not present.
On the other hand, operant conditioning is a type of learning where behavior is strengthened or
weakened based on the consequences that follow. Behaviors that are reinforced will be more likely
to occur again, while behaviors that are punished will become less likely to occur. An example of this
is a child receiving a sticker for completing their homework (positive reinforcement), which will
make them more likely to complete their homework in the future.
Q: What is the difference between conformity and obedience?
A: Conformity is the change in behavior or attitudes in response to group pressure. This can include
changing your behavior to match the behavior of others in the group, or changing your beliefs to
align with the group's beliefs. An example of this is the Asch conformity experiment, where
participants were asked to match the length of a line to a set of comparison lines. Even when the
correct answer was obvious, participants often chose an incorrect answer to match the answer given
by the rest of the group.
Obedience, on the other hand, is the act of following orders from an authority figure. This can
include following orders from a teacher, parent, or law enforcement officer. An example of this is
the Milgram obedience experiment, where participants were asked to administer increasingly strong
electric shocks to a person in another room, simply because an authority figure instructed them to
do so.
Q: What is the difference between a panic attack and a generalized anxiety disorder?
