Session 242

This week, we’re continuing our final episode of the blueprint MCAT full-length one breakdown with Dorothy from Blueprint MCAT. If you would like to follow along on YouTube, go to premed.tv.

We are in our last three questions finishing out with our discrete section on Psych/Soc on full-length one.

Listen to this podcast episode with the player above, or keep reading for the highlights and takeaway points.

[03:51] Question 57

What best describes the relationship between attribution theory and fundamental attribution error?

1. Attribution theory states that attribute phenotypes are associated with inner psychological functioning; fundamental attribution error refers to a misdiagnosis of psychological state based on overreliance on an attribute phenotype.

B.Attribution theory relates to an attempt by an individual to interpret actions by assigning causes to them; fundamental attribution error is when an individual interprets another’s actions incorrectly by overemphasizing external events instead of internal characteristics.

1. Attribution theory relates to an attempt by an individual to interpret actions by assigning causes to them; fundamental attribution error is when an individual interprets another’s actions incorrectly by overemphasizing internal characteristics instead of external events.

D.Attribution theory states that attribute genotypes are associated with inner psychological functioning; fundamental attribution error refers to a misdiagnosis of psychological state based on overreliance on an attribute genotype.

Thought Process:

Attribution theory attempts to explain the causes of behavior or events. It’s an umbrella term for different models that attempt to understand the ways in which we attribute events and behavior to things.

Fundamental attribution error is a type of attribution theory about how people will overemphasize internal factors as explanations for the behavior of other people. 

For example, if you do well in a test, it’s because you worked hard and you’re smart. And if you did badly on a test, you don’t care if your grandma died the day before the test, you just say you’re not smart.

And so, it’s our tendency to assume that when other people do things badly, it’s because of a dispositional thing rather than a situational thing. But when you do badly on a test, you’re looking more on your own situational factors.

A & D – They look almost identical. The only difference is A has attribute phenotypes, and D has attribute genotypes.

As mentioned above, attribution theory is about how people explain certain consequences and events that happen. So it has nothing to do with phenotype or genotype. Hence, we’re throwing A and D out.

B & C – They’re also similar and the difference is in the last part. Where B says, overemphasizing external events instead of internal characteristics. And C says, overemphasizing internal characteristics instead of external events. And we’ve already mentioned the descriptions above so C is the right answer here.

Correct Answer: C

[09:35] Question 58

A study participant was asked to observe circular images and determine if they were the same size as a 10 cm2 circle. Circles with areas greater than or equal to 11 cm2 were perceived as different. Circles with areas between 10.1 and 10.9 cm2 were perceived as the same size as the 10 cm2 circle. If the participant then was asked to compare samples with a circle with an area of 200 cm2, Weber’s law would predict that a circle of what area would be perceived as being of the same size?

1. 109 cm2
2. 175 cm2
3. 218 cm2
4. 220 cm2

Thought Process:

Weber’s law is saying that there’s a constant, which they call a “just noticeable difference.” In this case, you have a 1 to 9% increase from that 10cm2 that you can’t notice. But once you hit that 10% increase, you can notice a difference. So that is the just noticeable difference there at 10%. And in this case, you’re just looking for a proportional amount and 200 plus 9% of 200 is 218.

Correct Answer: C

[13:18] Question 59

A private school sets up a system by which students may advance to the next grade solely on the basis of their individual performance on an exam. Given the wide variety of talents each student has, some students are able to advance to the next grade months or even years before other students. This system is:

A.a meritocracy.

B.an oligarchy.

C.guaranteed to generate student failure.

D.an example of spatial discrimination.

Thought Process:

A – people are rewarded on the basis of their skill or talent or achievement. In this case, if they are testing out, then that’s merit.

C – guaranteed is an extreme word so you might not approve the system. And you might think it could generate some failure.

D – this is sensation-related. For instance, spatial discrimination is can you just think between two points of contact on your skin. So it’s more of a sensational thing.

Correct Answer: A

[15:21]  Check Out Blueprint MCAT’s Live Online Course

Sign up for a free account at Blueprint MCAT and get access to the Blueprint MCAT full-length one. Go take the test and then as part of your review, listen to our previous episodes on this podcast where we’re going through the questions. Learn some strategies as well as the thought processes to help you improve on getting a higher score.

Blueprint’s live online course is a 10-week and a 16-week program. If you struggle with accountability, this is a good option for you. Or maybe if it’s been a while since you’ve been in school. Meet with their instructors twice a week where they will walk you through strategy and practice questions and applied content.

You do your content review during the week and then come to class for strategy and how to apply that content to actual test-like questions. It’s a very practical way to learn how to study for the MCAT.

Links:

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