Social psychologists focus on how people construe or interpret situations and how these interpretations influence their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (Ross & Nisbett, 1991). Social psychology deals with all kinds of interactions between people, spanning a wide range of how we connect: from moments of confrontation to moments of working together and helping others, as shown here. The psychological processes of learning also fall within this foundational concept.Figure 1. For this reason, it’s important to understand the differences between each theory of personality so they can be correctly applied to the passage. For example, the AAMC will NOT ask anyone to determine which personality theory is the 'best' or 'most accurate.' Instead, you might be asked which theory is most applicable to a passage detailing a research study. It’s essential to be familiar with the various theories and perspectives regarding personality in order to apply them to psychological research. If that sounds like a broad category, it is this is the largest foundational concept area on the section. This foundational concept is about the processes through which human beings make decisions and carry out behaviors. #2 Foundational Concept 7 – Personality and Behavior (35% of the section) The Treisman attenuation model of attention.The Broadbent filter model of attention.The writers may ask test-takers to compare and contrast these cognitive processes and identify which ones are applicable to a situation described in a question stem or passage, so it is important to understand the differences between them.Įxamples of attention/consciousness concepts that might be tested include: The psychological processes behind selective attention, divided attention, and other cognitive processes are important to know. There are an enormous number of vocabulary terms related to memory that you need to be successful in this section.Įxamples of memory concepts that might be tested include:Īttention and consciousness are additional concepts that fall under this foundational concept. It is also good to know about psychological processes and phenomena that lead humans to forget information. A familiarity with the psychological processes of short-term memory, long-term memory, and sensory memory is essential. This foundational concept also includes human memory processes. Biological concepts are not frequently tested in this section of the exam, but the writers may include some questions on neurobiology and brain structures when testing these concepts.Įxamples of sensation and perception concepts that might be tested include: It is important to understand the neurobiological mechanisms through which humans ' sense and process sights, sounds, and other stimuli. This foundational concept contains ideas related to the processes by which human beings take in stimuli from their surrounding environment and organize those stimuli into sensory experiences. #1 Foundational Concept 6 – Sensation and Perception (25% of the section) The AAMC has identified five foundational concepts within the section (Foundational Concepts 6-10), and it expects test-takers to become familiar with the psychological and sociological concepts that compose them. You can’t do that on the real MCAT examination, so don’t do it during practice! By practicing the Psych/Soc section at the end of a full-length practice test, you can build mental stamina and become more effective at completing the section even if you are mentally drained. Specifically, resist the urge to pause the practice test and return a day later. The best way to combat this challenge is to take MCAT practice tests under conditions that replicate actual testing conditions as closely as possible. This can pose an added challenge, as it needs to be completed at a time when mental fatigue may be at its highest. Note: The Psych/Soc section is the fourth and final section of the MCAT, coming at the end of a 7.5-hour test. Like all MCAT sections, this section is scored on a scale from 118–132, with a median score of 125. 5% - Questions related to biological concepts (biology is tested much more heavily in other sections of the MCAT).35% - Questions related to sociological concepts.60% - Questions related to psychological concepts.4 sets of free-standing questions, containing 3 or 4 questions each.Ĭoncepts in the Psych/Soc section are tested in the following proportions:.
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