MCAT Behavioral Sciences Question 251: Answer and Explanation

Home > MCAT Test > MCAT behavioral sciences practice tests

Test Information

Question: 251

1. Most AN sufferers demonstrate largely consistent eating patterns marked by some sporadic binging; AN sufferers generally stick to a very specific restrictive diet, eating only "safe foods" a majority of the time, but binging occasionally on other foods. Despite this irregularity in behavior, AN sufferers' attitudes about food remain consistent. What concept best describes this behavior, in terms of AN sufferers maintaining a specific attitude about food, but demonstrating slightly inconsistent eating behavior?

  • A. The reality principle
  • B. The principle of aggregation
  • C. The self-actualizing tendency
  • D. Vicarious learning

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

The principle of aggregation explains how attitudes are better at predicting general patterns of behavior, but cannot always account for specific behaviors. The principle of aggregation best explains the periodically inconsistent behavior of binging, despite the fact that the attitude of AN sufferers toward food remains consistent (choice B is correct). According to Freud, the ego is ruled by the reality principle, which employs logical thinking to control consciousness and the id; while the reality principle may be involved in the choices AN sufferers make about eating, it does not explain the inconsistent behavior in light of a consistent attitude (choice A is wrong). The self-actualizing tendency is an innate drive toward recognizing someone's full potential; it does not explain the scenario described in the question stem (choice C is wrong). Vicarious learning involves an individual learning by observing another individual; this does not explain the scenario described in the question stem (choice D is wrong).

Previous       Next