Question

MCAT Psychology Mini-Tutorial: Constructs of Behavior & Attitude

Answer 1

\({\bf{Biological:}}\)
- neurons: under-myelination --> linked to impulsive behavior and anxiety

- neurotransmitters: lack or surplus of certain neurotransmitters can cause abnormal behaviors or even neurological disorders

- hormones: can affect the brain, neurotransmitters, or other organ systems

- genetics: partially influence's one's temperament
> changes in the coding region or the regulatory regions can change behavior
> differences in behavior still exist among populations and between populations, even with similar genetic codes
> some changes in behavior can be linked to a sinlge gene but most are the result of many genes and epigenetic interactions

- environment: determines the degree to which genes are expressed

- evolution: can select for or against certain behaviors. sociability and altruism may have contributed towards group survival, but aggression and isolation may have also contributed to survival when confronted with other, dangerous groups or individuals

Answer 2

\({\bf{Attitude:}}\) how one assesses another person/idea and how one expresses one's beliefs

Components:
- cognitive
- affective (emotional)
- behavioral

Functions:
- find others who have similar ideas
- develop knowledge
- protect self-esteem
- express ideas to others

Factors:
- personal experiences
- education
- upbringing
- culture
- social interactions

\({\bf{Attitude~on~Behavior:}}\)
- theory of planned behavior: attitude is more influential on behavior under certain circumstances
> conflict betwen one's own desires and societal expectations
> attitude is specific to their situation
> perception of control over one's stuation

- attitudes are stronger when they are: drawn from experience, exhibited frequently, rewarded, and subject to reward/risk

\({\bf{Behavior~on~Attitude:}}\)
- foot in the door/ theory of successive approximations: if someone agrees to smaller demands they will be more likely to comply with larger demands in the future
- role playing: temporarily taking on a role can change one's attitude

\({\bf{Cognitive~Dissonance:}}\) mental conflict when one's beliefs and actions are not in line, strongest when:
- the conflict is important to one's central value systems/identity
- there is a large difference between one's beliefs/actions
- one cannot justify the reason for the conflict

to resolve this conflict, the individual may:
- change their actions
- change their beliefs
- add new beliefs that are in line with their actions

Answer 3

Anyway, that's the end of my tutorial, I hope it was a helpful resource. Source material is the 2nd Edition Barron's Prep book for the new MCAT