MCAT Behavioral Sciences Question 90: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 90

15. Having struggled for years through an economic recession, a young professional begins to buy lottery tickets every Friday. "If I won the lottery," he reasons, "I'd finally have the life I've always wanted. All my stress would go away and I could live comfortably." His thoughts regarding winning the lottery are most representative of:

  • A. a cardinal trait.
  • B. fictional finalism.
  • C. functional autonomy.
  • D. unconditional positive regard.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

Fictional finalism is comprised of internal, idealistic beliefs about the future. The assumption that winning the lottery will solve all of his problems is representative of this form of thinking. Cardinal traits, choice (A), are the traits around which one organizes his or her entire life. Functional autonomy, choice (C), is when a behavior continues after the drive behind the behavior has ceased; for example, if this young professional continued purchasing lottery tickets after winning simply because he enjoyed them, then this behavior would have gained functional autonomy. Unconditional positive regard, choice (D), is used in some forms of humanistic therapy in which the therapist believes in the internal good of the client and does not judge the client negatively for any words or actions.

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