Question 1

Which of the following drugs has an effect on the central nervous system similar to that of alcohol?

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d73_f2d5_a3bf_bd2b9a4a47c8_MD0008_00 Psychoactive drugs are drugs that have an effect on mood, thinking, and/or behavior. They may be classified in a number of ways, such as by chemical structure or the effect they have on the brain. Among the most common classifications are narcotics (usually opiates), depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens. Sedatives (eg, barbiturates, benzodiazepines) and alcohol belong to a category of drugs called depressants (or sedative hypnotics), which slow down, inhibit, or depress the central nervous system. These drugs are also known as anxiolytics as they reduce anxiety. Depressants exert their primary anxiolytic effect through binding at the GABA_A receptor, enhancing the effect of GABA, the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system. (Choice B) Hallucinogens (eg, LSD) are not depressants; rather, they induce powerful mind-altering effects, including false sensory perceptions (hallucinations) and an altered sense of time. (Choices C and D) Cocaine and amphetamines are stimulants, which increase feelings of well-being, energy, and alertness. Educational objective: Stimulants (eg, cocaine, amphetamines) increase feelings of well-being, energy, and alertness; depressants (eg, alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates) slow down or inhibit the central nervous system and reduce anxiety; narcotics (generally opiates) are analgesics ("painkillers"); and hallucinogens have powerful mind-altering effects.

Question 2

A hospital administrator claims that her hospital operates as a meritocracy in regard to employee hiring and promotion.  Which of the following observations would most support this administrator's claim?  Employees are:

Accepted Answer

A meritocracy is a system in which individuals with the most merit (eg, talent, ability, effort) progress and earn rewards. In other words, factors such as prestige or social connections do not count in a meritocracy. While meritocracy is often considered an ideal, there are very few truly meritocratic systems. The claim that a hospital operates as a meritocracy in regard to employee hiring and promotion is best supported by a system where employee promotions are based entirely on merit, such as demonstrated skills or accomplishments, rather than on nonmerit factors, such as seniority (ie, time employed by hospital) (Choice A). (Choice B) Social capital includes the connections within one's social network that can help one advance, such as knowing individuals who already work at the hospital where one hopes to get a job. In a meritocratic system, employees would be hired based purely on merit, rather than on referrals from their social network. (Choice D) Cultural capital describes all the nonfinancial and nonsocial network assets that confer advantage in society, such as the prestige of a medical training program from which one graduated. In a meritocratic system, employees would be hired or promoted based purely on merit, rather than on their cultural capital. Educational objective: A meritocracy is a system in which those individuals with the most merit (eg, talent, ability, effort) progress and earn rewards.

Question 3

Passage During the 1800s, the United States (U.S.) transitioned from a farming society to an industrialized society, which resulted in occupations becoming more specialized and socially labeled as "masculine" or "feminine." Today, the U.S. is experiencing an equally dramatic transition into what is referred to as a knowledge economy, marked by a decline in manufacturing and manual labor occupations, often referred to as "blue-collar" professions (which are dominated by males), and a rise in information, technology, and service sector jobs. Sociologists argue that this has led to shifting roles and expectations for both males and females in the U.S. workforce.As demand for blue-collar occupations has declined in recent decades, demand for "pink-collar" (feminine-typed) occupations has increased, particularly in health care (eg, registered nurses, health aides), but males appear to avoid pink-collar occupations for various reasons. Research indicates that socially defined gender roles may dissuade males from even considering pink-collar professions due to a perception that one's job will conflict with one's male status. Male students-in-training for pink-collar professions (eg, nursing) have a higher rate of attrition than their female classmates, which may be partly due to the unintended messages conveyed by the informal curriculum: that male students do not belong in these professions (eg, a lack of male role models, female-only images in textbooks). Of the males who enter pink-collar professions, many find that they are more quickly promoted into managerial roles (believed to be more appropriately masculine) than their equally qualified female counterparts, a phenomenon known as the glass escalator.Data show that females continue to be underrepresented in many high-paying fields, which are predominantly masculine-typed industries such as aeronautics, engineering, medical surgery, business (executive-level), and computer science/technology. Data also show that within all job categories, even those considered feminine-typed, females are still paid less than their male peers, a phenomenon sociologists call the gender pay (or wage) gap (Figure 1). The gender pay gap persists even when differences in hours worked, job choice, education, and other qualifications are taken into account. Research suggests that mothers earn less than men and women who are not mothers, a phenomenon termed the "motherhood penalty" by sociologists. Figure 1 Gender pay gap by age P. F. Drucker ©1994 The Atlantic Monthly; B. R. MacWilliams, B. Schmidt, and M. R. Bleich ©2013 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. -Which hypothesis regarding pay inequalities and fertility patterns is best supported by information in the passage regarding females in the U.S. workplace? If the age-specific fertility rate for females age 25-29 increases:

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d6a_2ecb_a3bf_a97e0070cea4_MD0008_00 Figure 1 demonstrates that the discrepancy between male's and female's income (the gender pay gap) increases across the adult life span, and only shows a slight narrowing at age 65+. The final paragraph of the passage states that mothers earn less than men and women who are not mothers (the "motherhood penalty"), which suggests that changes in fertility patterns in the U.S. may also impact the gender pay gap. The fertility rate is a measure of the number of people being added to a given population through birth, as opposed to immigration. Of the multiple ways to express fertility rates, the age-specific fertility rate (ASFR) describes the number of live births per year per 1,000 women in a certain age group in a population. In the U.S., the ASFR for women age 25-29 is about 100 whereas the ASFR for women age 40-44 is about 10. If the ASFR for females age 25-29 increases, then more women in this age cohort will become mothers, which would likely cause the gender pay gap for females age 25-29 to increase. (Choice B) Increases in the ASFR for females age 25-29 would likely increase, not decrease, the gender pay gap. (Choices C and D) The passage does not provide any evidence suggesting that changes in the ASFR for females for any age cohort is linked to the demand for males in pink-collar occupations. Educational objective: Fertility rates measure of the number of people being added to a population through birth. The age-specific fertility rate (ASFR) describes the number of live births per year per 1,000 women in a certain age group in a population.

Question 4

A social psychologist employs a confederate to pretend to have a heart attack in a crowded train station, then measures how long it takes for the confederate to receive help.  The study procedure is repeated over multiple trials throughout the day.  This experiment is most likely evaluating which phenomenon and with what independent variable, respectively?

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d6e_4d7f_a3bf_cb4e9f563740_MD0008_00 The bystander effect occurs when an individual in need is less likely to receive help when more people are present. This is partly explained by diffusion of responsibility, the tendency for people in groups to assume that action will be taken by someone else. In other words, everyone assumes someone else will step in (diffusion of responsibility), so no one ends up taking any action (bystander effect). This study was designed to evaluate the bystander effect. The researcher likely hypothesized that a greater number of onlookers present (independent variable) in the train station would result in a longer amount of time until someone attempts to help the confederate (dependent variable). (Choice A) The amount of time it takes for someone to help the confederate is the dependent (not independent) variable because it is the outcome (effect) that the researcher is measuring. (Choices C and D) The Hawthorne effect describes research subjects acting different from how they would normally behave as a result of knowing that they are being observed. In order for the Hawthorne effect to occur in this scenario, the onlookers in the subway station would need to know they were being observed, which is not indicated here. Educational objective: The bystander effect predicts that as the number of onlookers increases, the probability of an onlooker helping someone in need decreases. This can be partly explained by the diffusion of responsibility, whereby onlookers assume action will be taken by someone else.

Question 5

Which of the following scenarios best represents intragenerational vertical mobility?

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d6f_10d0_a3bf_bd4e2d3c5310_MD0008_00 Social mobility refers to the change or movement of individuals, groups, or families between or within status categories in society (eg, from middle class to upper class). Social mobility can be horizontal (ie, same social status) or vertical (ie, up or down in social status) and is related to a multitude of other factors, such as educational achievement, job loss, career advancement, marriage, and institutionalized discrimination. Intragenerational social mobility occurs within a single generation (ie, within a lifetime). Intergenerational social mobility occurs over multiple generations (ie, across several lifetimes). A cardiologist who loses her medical license and struggles to find a new job is an example of both intragenerational mobility, as this shift occurs within her own lifetime, and vertical (downward) mobility, because her social status decreases. (Choice A) A difference in social status between parent and son reflects intergenerational mobility, as it occurs across more than one lifetime. The shift in status from parent (hourly wage employee) to son (neurosurgeon, a highly paid salaried position) is an example of vertical (upward) social mobility. (Choice C) A surgeon moving his practice between locations does represent intragenerational mobility, as it occurs within his own lifetime, but it would be an example of horizontal (not vertical) social mobility because there is no change in social status. (Choice D) A dentist inheriting his mother's dental practice would be an example of intergenerational (not intragenerational) mobility, as it occurs across more than one lifetime. It is also an example of horizontal (not vertical) social mobility because the status of mother and son are the same. Educational objective: Social mobility refers to the change in social status experienced by a group or individual. It may be vertical (upward or downward) or horizontal (no change in status) and may be intragenerational (occurring over a relatively short time among members of the same generation) or intergenerational (occurring over a relatively long time among members of different generations).

Question 6

An older individual learns about the potential side effects of a drug she is currently taking from a pharmaceutical advertisement she sees on television.  When she recalls the information later, she remembers hearing about those potential side effects from her physician, not the advertisement.  This scenario illustrates which of the following?

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d78_fbee_a3bf_4784502c8159_MD0008_00 Memories are not perfect recordings of past events. Memory construction refers to the process of recreating a memory each time it is recalled. Rather than being stored and recalled as a copy of exact events that occurred, memories appear to be reconstructed upon recall, which can result in alterations to the memory. The nature of memory construction leads to some common memory mistakes, such as source monitoring errors, which occur when a memory is attributed to the wrong source (eg, a cousin's funny story is mistakenly attributed to an aunt). A scenario in which an individual remembers hearing something from her physician (when in fact the source of the information was a pharmaceutical advertisement) illustrates a source monitoring error. (Choice B) The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to blame others' behavior on their internal (eg, "she is stupid") instead of external (eg, "the test was hard") factors. The fundamental attribution error does not account for misattributing information to the wrong source. (Choice C) Negative priming refers to the impaired processing (ie, slower response or reduced accuracy) that occurs when a stimulus is initially ignored and then later attended to (eg, first being asked to pick a red pen and ignore other colored pens in a cup, and then when asked to pick a blue pen, response time is slower). Negative priming does not account for misattributing information to the wrong source. (Choice D) Hindsight bias describes the tendency to perceive an event as being likely after it has occurred, even if it was unlikely (eg, after getting into a minor car accident, an individual states that she "just knew" she should have stayed home). Hindsight bias does not account for misattributing information to the wrong source. Educational objective: Memories are reconstructed each time they are recalled, leading to common memory errors. Source monitoring errors occur when a memory is attributed to the wrong source (eg, information from a television commercial is attributed to one's physician).

Question 7

Which of the following is true regarding the social stratification system referred to as a caste system?  Caste systems have status positions that are:

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d71_f703_a3bf_35744f704c11_MD0008_00 Social stratification refers to a system of inequality in society whereby individuals are grouped into hierarchical social categories that have differential access to resources, opportunities, and life outcomes. Class systems and caste systems are two types of social stratification systems. In a class system (eg, United States), the social class individuals are born into influences their opportunities and resources. However, an individual's status is at least partially achieved (voluntarily earned) through effort and/or ability. Social status is less clearly defined and boundaries between classes are not definite. Therefore, social mobility (movement between classes) is possible. In a caste system (eg, India), an individual's status is ascribed (involuntarily assigned) based on personal characteristics such as race, ethnicity, or parental caste. Individuals tend to remain in the same caste for life and are discouraged (formally and informally) from intimate contact with individuals in other castes. Therefore, social mobility (movement between castes) is very difficult. (Choices A, C, and D) In caste systems, social status is ascribed (assigned) to individuals at birth rather than achieved (earned), which significantly hinders social mobility (movement up or down in status). Educational objective: Social stratification refers to a system of inequality whereby individuals are hierarchically ranked into groups that have differing access to resources, opportunities, and life outcomes. In caste systems, social status is ascribed and caste boundaries are rigid, making social mobility difficult. In class systems, social status is at least partially achieved and class boundaries are less defined, making social mobility possible.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about race is most consistent with the social constructionist perspective?  In society, race is:

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d70_4951_a3bf_95c1afca8d94_MD0008_00 Social constructionism is a sociological theory suggesting that "reality" is created through social interactions, resulting in agreed-upon, shared meanings. Objects (eg, money), behaviors (eg, handshaking), and categories (eg, race) have meaning only because individuals in society have agreed on that meaning, making them social constructs. Racial categories are considered social constructs because they have no clear biological basis and are largely defined by certain physical traits (eg, skin color). Racial categories also vary by society: an individual with one black parent may be considered black in the United States but not in another country. A definition of race that is maintained through social interactions is most consistent with the social constructionist perspective. (Choice A) There are no clear genetic markers that characteristically define any racial category. Also, the social constructionist perspective is concerned with the social (not biological) basis of race. (Choice C) Social status (one's rank relative to others in society) can be achieved (attained) or ascribed (assigned based on personal characteristics such as race or class). Race is an ascribed (not an achieved) status. (Choice D) From the functionalist perspective, which asserts that various parts of society work together to maintain dynamic equilibrium (ie, societal balance), race might be considered a social category that helps to maintain dynamic equilibrium, but this is not consistent with the social constructionist perspective. Educational objective: Social constructionism is a theory suggesting that social interactions establish "reality" through the creation of social constructs (eg, race), which have meaning only because individuals in society have agreed on that meaning.

Question 9

A researcher conducts a study on visual perception.  When viewing a photograph of hospital physicians, participants tend to perceive the physicians as groups based on their attire, such as "blue scrubs" for one group and "white lab coats" for another.  This finding is best attributed to which Gestalt principle?

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d7b_9401_a3bf_5d329300c888_MD0008_00 The Gestalt principles of perceptual organization describe how humans holistically perceive sensory stimuli. Although Gestalt principles apply to many types of sensory stimuli (eg, the grouping of musical tones), they are most often described in the perception of visual stimuli. Similarity is the Gestalt principle that refers to our tendency to group together objects that share similar features (eg, shape, color). In this study, participants group physicians in a photograph by shared visual characteristics (clothing color), which is best attributed to the Gestalt principle of similarity. (Choice A) Common fate is the Gestalt principle that describes our perception that things moving together are grouped together (eg, a flock of birds flying in V-formation is perceived as a unit). The finding does not describe grouping the physicians by the direction they appear to be moving. (Choice B) Proximity is the Gestalt principle that describes our tendency to perceive things that are physically closer to one another as a group (eg, letters that are closer together are grouped as a word). The finding does not describe grouping the physicians based on their physical closeness. (Choice D) Continuity is the Gestalt principle that describes our tendency to perceive elements as continuing on a smooth path (eg, "X" is perceived as two crossing lines, rather than two "V" shapes touching). The finding does not describe perceiving the physicians as being on a continuous path (eg, standing in a curving line). Educational objective: The Gestalt principles of perceptual organization describe how humans holistically perceive sensory stimuli. One example is the similarity principle, in which things that share similar characteristics (eg, shape, color) tend to be grouped together.

Question 10

A medical resident emulates the behaviors and mannerisms of the attending physicians.  She also volunteers for multiple committees in an attempt to impress these physicians.  Which aspects of social interaction are represented in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d6d_8a2e_a3bf_1bc8be15292c_MD0008_00 A reference group is used as a standard of comparison for one's beliefs and behaviors. Individuals compare themselves to members of their own reference group (eg, comparing one's MCAT study habits to those of other pre-meds) or to those of other reference groups to which they aspire (eg, comparing one's MCAT study habits to those of top MCAT scorers). Individuals often emulate aspirational reference group members and typically have many different reference groups. Impression management involves trying to influence how one is perceived by others by employing certain behaviors (eg, covering one's tattoos for a medical school interview). Individuals usually attempt to generate a positive impression, but not always (eg, a prisoner may flaunt tattoos in an attempt to inspire fear in other inmates). Imitation of a reference group best explains a medical resident emulating the behaviors and mannerisms of the attending physicians. Impression management best explains her volunteering for multiple committees in an attempt to impress these physicians. (Choices A, B, and C) Primary groups are composed of individuals with whom people have close and enduring relationships that involve frequent contact (eg, close friends, family). Looking-glass self describes the way our interpretation of how others perceive us impacts our self-concept (beliefs about ourselves). Primary groups and looking-glass self are not represented in this scenario. Educational objective: Individuals use reference groups as a standard of comparison for their beliefs and behaviors. Individuals often have many reference groups, to which they may belong or aspire to belong. Impression management is the process of attempting to influence how one is perceived by others, often with the goal of being perceived favorably.

Question 11

Passage During the 1800s, the United States (U.S.) transitioned from a farming society to an industrialized society, which resulted in occupations becoming more specialized and socially labeled as "masculine" or "feminine." Today, the U.S. is experiencing an equally dramatic transition into what is referred to as a knowledge economy, marked by a decline in manufacturing and manual labor occupations, often referred to as "blue-collar" professions (which are dominated by males), and a rise in information, technology, and service sector jobs. Sociologists argue that this has led to shifting roles and expectations for both males and females in the U.S. workforce.As demand for blue-collar occupations has declined in recent decades, demand for "pink-collar" (feminine-typed) occupations has increased, particularly in health care (eg, registered nurses, health aides), but males appear to avoid pink-collar occupations for various reasons. Research indicates that socially defined gender roles may dissuade males from even considering pink-collar professions due to a perception that one's job will conflict with one's male status. Male students-in-training for pink-collar professions (eg, nursing) have a higher rate of attrition than their female classmates, which may be partly due to the unintended messages conveyed by the informal curriculum: that male students do not belong in these professions (eg, a lack of male role models, female-only images in textbooks). Of the males who enter pink-collar professions, many find that they are more quickly promoted into managerial roles (believed to be more appropriately masculine) than their equally qualified female counterparts, a phenomenon known as the glass escalator.Data show that females continue to be underrepresented in many high-paying fields, which are predominantly masculine-typed industries such as aeronautics, engineering, medical surgery, business (executive-level), and computer science/technology. Data also show that within all job categories, even those considered feminine-typed, females are still paid less than their male peers, a phenomenon sociologists call the gender pay (or wage) gap (Figure 1). The gender pay gap persists even when differences in hours worked, job choice, education, and other qualifications are taken into account. Research suggests that mothers earn less than men and women who are not mothers, a phenomenon termed the "motherhood penalty" by sociologists. Figure 1 Gender pay gap by age P. F. Drucker ©1994 The Atlantic Monthly; B. R. MacWilliams, B. Schmidt, and M. R. Bleich ©2013 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. -A feminist theorist would be most interested in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d6b_674c_a3bf_818bfd1e1702_MD0008_00 In sociology, feminist theory explains differences in power between males/masculinity and females/femininity in society, known as gender inequality. Feminist theory includes both macro- and micro-level approaches. At the macro-level, feminist theory considers how social structures maintain gender inequality. For example, workplace practices that discriminate against women (eg, less pay, fewer promotions) result in the underrepresentation of women in certain fields (eg, surgery). At the micro-level, feminist theory considers how one-on-one interactions also maintain gender inequality by objectifying or devaluing females/femininity. For example, patients often assume a female surgeon is a nurse. Removing barriers to female entry into a variety of occupations is consistent with a macro-level feminist theory concern as it addresses structural factors that contribute to gender inequality. (Choice A) Feminist theory would not suggest that females in different occupational fields, which require different skill sets and qualifications, should be paid at the same rate. Instead, feminist theory would focus on how men and women within the same occupational field should be compensated equivalently. (Choice C) In a patriarchal society, males possess most of the power and prestige; therefore, focusing on increasing access for males is less likely to be the goal of feminist theorists than is providing access to power and prestige to females who have less of it. (Choice D) Balancing the number of males and females in a given occupation would seem to remove career choice, which is not a feminist goal. Removing the barriers to access so that all occupations become legitimate options for females would be the feminist focus. Educational objective: Feminist theory explains differences in power between males/masculinity and females/femininity (gender inequality). Feminist theory examines both macro-level impacts of social structures as well as micro-level factors such as individual prejudice and discrimination.

Question 12

According to the demographic transition model, a newly industrializing society is characterized by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d76_d908_a3bf_2b5ade8a234e_MD0008_00 According to the demographic transition model, a society's transition from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates typically occurs in the following stages: Stage 1: In preindustrial societies, birth and death rates are both high and population growth is slow. Stage 2: As societies begin to industrialize, death rates drop as food/medicine availability and sanitation increase, and population growth is rapid. Stage 3: As societies urbanize, the population continues to grow, but birth rates begin to decline as access to contraception increases. Stage 4: In developed societies, birth and death rates are both low and population growth is slow. Stage 5: For highly developed societies with very low birth rates, the population may decline. A newly industrializing society would be in Stage 2 of demographic transition, in which the death rate declines as a result of increased access to food, medicine, and improved sanitation. (Choice A) Low birth and death rates combined with slow population growth characterize Stage 4 of demographic transition, which is associated with a developed (fully industrialized) society, not a newly industrializing society. (Choice C) A society with a birth rate low enough for the population to begin to decline characterizes Stage 5 of demographic transition, which is indicative of a highly developed (fully industrialized) society, not a newly industrializing society. (Choice D) High birth and death rates with slow population growth define Stage 1 of demographic transition, which is indicative of a preindustrial society, not a newly industrializing society. Educational objective: According to the demographic transition model, societies progress through stages marked by characteristic changes in birth/death rates and population size: high birth/death rates, small population (Stage 1); declining death rate, increasing population (Stage 2); declining birth rate, slower population growth (Stage 3); low birth/death rates, stable population (Stage 4); and very low birth rate, declining population (Stage 5).

Question 13

To study how online communication can coalesce into long-term sustained action toward a collective social goal, a researcher analyzed and coded all the social media text surrounding a single topic.  This can best be described as:

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d72_e164_a3bf_cf803f20ea67_MD0008_00 The analysis and coding of social media text is an example of a content analysis, which involves the systematic coding and interpretation of human communication (eg, website content, organizational literature, oral transcripts) for research. Content analyses turn qualitative (non-numeric) visual or textual information into quantitative (numeric) data for analysis. Long-term collective action (lasting weeks to years) toward a social goal describes a social movement, which is meant to produce social change. Social movements start with the emergence of an idea (eg, women should have the right to vote) around which individuals coalesce (unite). Over time, social movements tend to become more organized and bureaucratic, and eventually succeed or fail. Successful social movements create lasting changes in how society functions, but social movements that fail may also have a lasting impact. For example, the Occupy Wall Street movement achieved no specific aims, but it brought lasting attention to wealth/income inequality in the U.S. (Choice A) Observational analysis refers to the observation of behavior in its natural setting, rather than in an artificial setting such as a laboratory. Although analyzing social media text could be considered an observational analysis, the researcher did not assess demographic shifts (ie, changes in population characteristics). (Choice B) Opinion surveys ask individuals predetermined questions to assess public attitudes about a topic (eg, "How do you feel about the economy?"). The researcher did not conduct an opinion survey about globalization (ie, increasing connection and interdependence of societies across the globe). (Choice D) A random sampling would include only a selection of possible participants or data points for analysis. Because the researcher assessed all social media texts surrounding a single topic, this analysis was not a random sampling, and it did not examine civil unrest (ie, disturbances caused by groups of people [eg, riots, rebellions]). Educational objective: Content analysis involves systematic coding and interpretation of human communication (eg, online media). Social movements are organized collective actions that are sustained (lasting weeks to years) and meant to produce social change.

Question 14

Which of the following population pyramids depicts the population that is most likely to decrease in size in the near future?

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d78_118d_a3bf_9557d84f3a79_MD0008_00 Population pyramids, which display the relative number of males and females in each age cohort in a given population, have three general shapes: Expanding pyramids have broad bases (lots of younger people) and narrow tops (few older people) and are characteristic of developing countries with high birth/death rates and an increasing population size. Stationary pyramids have broad bases and broad tops and are characteristic of developed countries with low birth/death rates and a stable population size. Contracting pyramids have narrower bases than middles and are characteristic of developed countries with very low birth rates and a gradually declining population size. A contracting population pyramid reflects a population with fewer people in the younger age cohorts and more people in the older age cohorts (ie, base is narrower than upper levels of pyramid). In contracting populations, the number of individuals born will not replace the number of older individuals who die, resulting in an overall decrease in population size. (Choice B) A pyramid with a broad base and narrow top depicts an expanding population that is growing in size. (Choice C) A pyramid with a broad base and top depicts a stationary population that is relatively stable in size. (Choice D) A pyramid that is between an expanding and stationary shape depicts a population that was expanding but is in the process of becoming stationary. In this type of population, the growth rate slows, but the overall size of the population does not decrease because more people live to old age. Educational objective: A population pyramid is a type of bar graph that depicts the number or percentage of men and women in certain age cohorts in a given population. Expanding pyramids reflect growing populations with more young than old individuals; stationary pyramids reflect stable populations; and contracting pyramids reflect gradually declining populations.

Question 15

A successful business owner has a motor vehicle collision, leaving him paralyzed and in a wheelchair.  He perceives that his colleagues and clients begin to treat him as though he is less capable.  He starts to doubt his ability to successfully run his business.  This reaction is best explained by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d75_a087_a3bf_01e2ce151943_MD0008_00 The looking-glass self is a symbolic interactionist concept that suggests that our interpretation of how we are perceived by others impacts our self-concept (beliefs about ourselves). In addition, our interpretation of what others think about us is more important than what they actually think. For example, a coach may provide feedback to the most talented player, but that player may interpret (and then internalize) this as an indication that the coach doesn't think she is very good. The concept of the looking-glass self best explains the business owner's shift in self-concept (ie, doubting his ability to run his business) as a result of his interpretation of the perceptions of others after his accident. (Choice A) Strain theory suggests that when individuals are unable to attain socially acceptable goals (eg, having a nice car) through legitimate means (eg, a job), the resulting strain may lead to deviant behavior (eg, stealing). Strain theory does not address how self-concept is shaped by the interpretations of others' perceptions. (Choice C) The dramaturgical approach explains behavior using a theater metaphor: How we behave in front of others (the "audience") is a "performance" meant to manage their impression of us. The dramaturgical approach does not address an individual's interpretation and internalization of others' perceptions. (Choice D) Psychosexual theory of development states that personality develops through five psychosexual stages that begin in childhood; conflict in any of these stages can lead to psychological issues (eg, anxiety) in adulthood. The impact of interpreting others' perceptions on self-concept is not explored in this theory. Educational objective: The concept of the looking-glass self is part of the symbolic interactionism perspective and states that an individual's self-concept is shaped by that person's interpretation of others' perceptions, regardless of the accuracy of those interpretations.

Question 16

A survey of medical students found that most believe the surgical specialty has its own clearly defined "masculine" subculture, and that to succeed as surgeons, individuals need to "adopt masculine characteristics."  These beliefs best reflect which aspect of surgical medical education?

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d7a_a9a0_a3bf_f725ecc87c1e_MD0008_00 Social institutions (eg, family, religion) are enduring, organized systems that outline behavioral norms and fulfill a purpose in society. The education system, a social institution that meets society's need to transfer knowledge and skills, is composed of both a formal and a hidden curriculum. The formal curriculum includes the explicit, official content taught to students (eg, how to solve algebra equations). The hidden curriculum includes the implied, informal mechanisms by which certain values and behaviors are promoted; for example, an algebra teacher who calls mainly on male students is reinforcing a stereotype that boys are better at math than girls. Survey results indicating that the surgical specialty has a "masculine" subculture, such that "masculine characteristics" are needed for success, best reflect the hidden curriculum of surgical medical education. (Choice A) Teacher expectancy occurs when a teacher's beliefs about a student (eg, "she is smart," "he is lazy") result in the student meeting those expectations (eg, excelling or performing poorly). This is thought to occur as a result of the teacher's behavior toward the student. The survey results do not reflect teacher expectancy. (Choice B) Functionalism, a macro-sociological theory comparing society to a biological organism, contends that social institutions have manifest (intended) and latent (unintended) functions. The survey results reflect a latent (not manifest) aspect of surgical medical education. (Choice D) Material culture refers to the physical items a group of people create, use, and/or interact with (eg, clothing, technology), whereas symbolic (nonmaterial) aspects of culture (eg, language, values) are intangible. The survey results reflect symbolic (not material) aspects of surgical subculture. Educational objective: The education system's hidden curriculum includes implied, informal mechanisms by which certain values and behaviors are reinforced, whereas the formal curriculum includes explicit, official content taught to students.

Question 17

Researchers have identified a set of factors associated with an increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including low birth weight, respiratory infections before age 2, low socioeconomic status in childhood, adolescent smoking, and occupational exposure to airborne irritants as an adult.  This finding best reflects:

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d79_bf3f_a3bf_57ce502f7bc2_MD0008_00 The life course approach is a holistic, multidisciplinary framework for understanding how psychological, biological, and sociocultural factors across a lifetime have a cumulative effect on health outcomes. This perspective considers how personal life events (eg, illness in infancy), individual choices/behaviors (eg, having unprotected sex), and sociocultural and historical context (eg, being born during wartime) impact health and illness. Research suggesting that lifetime exposure to biological (eg, respiratory infections), sociocultural (eg, low socioeconomic status), and behavioral (eg, smoking) risk factors increases the likelihood of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is most reflective of the life course approach to illness. (Choice A) Sick role theory is a functionalist approach describing how disruption to typical social activity (eg, work) caused by illness is minimized through the sick role, which legitimizes illness as socially acceptable deviance. Biological and sociocultural factors impacting health/illness across a lifetime are not relevant to sick role theory. (Choice B) The illness experience is a symbolic interactionist approach to understanding how people incorporate and make sense of illness as part of their self-identity and daily routines. The illness experience is not best reflected by evidence that biological and sociocultural factors impact health/illness across a lifetime. (Choice C) Social constructionism suggests that social reality is created through interpersonal interactions, which result in shared meanings and expected roles/behaviors. The social construction of chronic illness would not be concerned with the cumulative impact of factors across a lifetime contributing to risk of chronic illness. Educational objective: The life course approach to illness is holistic and multidisciplinary, examining the cumulative effect of psychological, biological, and sociocultural factors across a lifetime on health outcomes.

Question 18

Neighborhoods A and B are next to each other in a large urban area.  If Neighborhood A is more gentrified than Neighborhood B, which of the following is most likely?

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d71_0ca2_a3bf_fd0ffa21fcd1_MD0008_00 Gentrification is the redevelopment of lower-income urban (city) neighborhoods that occurs in conjunction with an influx of higher-income individuals, resulting in the displacement of lower-income residents. As higher-income individuals move to a lower-income neighborhood, it is redeveloped (ie, new/improved homes and businesses) and housing prices increase. No longer able to afford to live in their neighborhood, lower-income residents are displaced (forced to move), and the influx of higher-income individuals and redevelopment continues. This cycle gradually transforms lower-income urban neighborhoods into higher-income urban neighborhoods. Because gentrification results in the displacement of lower-income residents, more lower-income residents will have been displaced from Neighborhood A (the more gentrified neighborhood) than from Neighborhood B. (Choice A) Gentrification causes housing and rental prices to increase. Therefore, housing and rental prices should be less (not more) affordable in Neighborhood A than in Neighborhood B. (Choice B) Gentrification results in many long-term residents getting priced out of (displaced from) their neighborhood as housing and rental prices increase. Therefore, residents will have resided for less time-a shorter (not longer) median duration-in Neighborhood A compared to Neighborhood B. (Choice D) The tax base includes all the assets (eg, property) and revenue (eg, business transactions) that are taxed by the government. Gentrification causes the local tax base to expand as the result of higher property values and new businesses. Therefore, Neighborhood A will have a larger (not smaller) tax base than Neighborhood B. Educational objective: Gentrification is a process of urban redevelopment of lower-income neighborhoods that occurs with an influx of higher-income residents. Gentrification causes an increase in housing prices, which forces lower-income residents to move (displacement).

Question 19

Some experts suggest that the benefits of teamwork may be outweighed by an average loss of productivity per team member.  This productivity loss can best be explained by which of the following group processes?

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d6c_c6dd_a3bf_9bba4140acb7_MD0008_00 Social loafing occurs when an individual exerts less effort while working in a group versus working alone. For example, when asked to pull as hard as possible on a rope, people tend to pull harder by themselves than when others are also pulling. Research suggests that factors such as group size and motivation or interest in the group task may impact the degree to which individuals engage in social loafing. The reduced effort exerted by individuals as a result of social loafing often translates into a loss of group productivity. In this example, experts are comparing the benefits of teamwork (ie, working in a group) to the potential drawback of social loafing (ie, the productivity loss of individuals in a team setting). (Choice B) Groupthink occurs when a desire for group cohesion or consensus results in poor decision-making. Groupthink is not defined by an average loss of productivity per team member. (Choice C) Conformity occurs when individual group members align their thoughts or actions with the group. Conformity is not defined by an average loss of productivity per team member. (Choice D) Group polarization occurs when group members' average attitudes/opinions become more extreme after group discussion. Group polarization is not defined by an average loss of productivity per team member. Educational objective: Social loafing occurs when individuals expend less effort as part of a group than they would if working alone. The extent to which social loafing occurs is influenced by various factors, such as group size, motivation, or interest in the group task.

Question 20

A sociologist is interested in investigating leukemia diagnoses in children.  Which of the following research topics is most consistent with the sociological paradigm of symbolic interactionism?  A study investigating how:

Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0d74_b626_a3bf_a7c5d292c7ae_MD0008_00 Symbolic interactionism is a microsociological perspective concerned with the interpersonal interactions through which people develop subjective meanings shaping social reality. Subjective meanings differ by context and culture (eg, handshaking in the United States vs bowing in Japan) and can change over time. In symbolic interactionism, the definition of the situation describes how shared expectations for behavior help people understand the roles of everyone involved in an interaction. For example, patients expect doctors to behave professionally and maintain confidentiality. The research topic most consistent with symbolic interactionism is the study investigating how a child's leukemia diagnosis impacts families' interpersonal interactions (eg, parents spend more time with a child diagnosed with leukemia and less time with healthy siblings) and roles (eg, a parent quits work to become the child's caretaker). (Choice A) Conflict theory is a macro-level approach focusing on how inequalities between social classes cause conflict. An examination of socioeconomic status and leukemia treatment outcomes is a macro-level approach that better aligns with a conflict (not symbolic interactionist) perspective. (Choice B) Structural functionalism, a macro-level approach emphasizing how social structures maintain equilibrium in society, suggests that illness is a form of socially sanctioned deviance (ie, sick role theory). A study focusing on the sick role reflects a functionalist (not symbolic interactionist) approach. (Choice C) Feminist theory focuses on sex/gender inequality in society from a macro- and micro-perspective. Studying the impact of stereotypes about sex differences on social support for girls with leukemia is an approach that better aligns with a feminist (not symbolic interactionist) perspective. Educational objective: Symbolic interactionism is a microsociological perspective that suggests that people develop subjective meanings for things (eg, objects, behaviors) through social interaction. The definition of the situation allows people to understand the roles of everyone involved in a social encounter so that each person acts accordingly.

Exam 1: Behavioral Sciences

Which of the following drugs has an effect on the central nervous system similar to that of alcohol?

A hospital administrator claims that her hospital operates as a meritocracy in regard to employee hiring and promotion. Which of the following observations would most support this administrator's claim? Employees are:

Which of the following scenarios best represents intragenerational vertical mobility?

Which of the following is true regarding the social stratification system referred to as a caste system? Caste systems have status positions that are:

Which of the following statements about race is most consistent with the social constructionist perspective? In society, race is:

A medical resident emulates the behaviors and mannerisms of the attending physicians. She also volunteers for multiple committees in an attempt to impress these physicians. Which aspects of social interaction are represented in this scenario?

According to the demographic transition model, a newly industrializing society is characterized by which of the following?

To study how online communication can coalesce into long-term sustained action toward a collective social goal, a researcher analyzed and coded all the social media text surrounding a single topic. This can best be described as:

Which of the following population pyramids depicts the population that is most likely to decrease in size in the near future?

A survey of medical students found that most believe the surgical specialty has its own clearly defined "masculine" subculture, and that to succeed as surgeons, individuals need to "adopt masculine characteristics." These beliefs best reflect which aspect of surgical medical education?

Neighborhoods A and B are next to each other in a large urban area. If Neighborhood A is more gentrified than Neighborhood B, which of the following is most likely?

Some experts suggest that the benefits of teamwork may be outweighed by an average loss of productivity per team member. This productivity loss can best be explained by which of the following group processes?

A sociologist is interested in investigating leukemia diagnoses in children. Which of the following research topics is most consistent with the sociological paradigm of symbolic interactionism? A study investigating how: