Behavioral and Social Sciences
What the test asks
This domain blends psychology, sociology, and anthropology: research methods, learning and cognition, development, social interaction, culture, and social institutions. Expect questions on classical and operant conditioning, Piaget's stages, socialization, norms and values, and basic research design.
Concepts to master
Know the difference between classical conditioning (association of stimuli) and operant conditioning (behavior shaped by consequences-reinforcement and punishment). Understand developmental stage theories (Piaget's cognitive stages, Erikson's psychosocial stages) at a conceptual level. In sociology, know socialization agents (family, peers, school, media), norms (folkways, mores, laws), and the components of culture (values, beliefs, symbols, language). For methods, distinguish correlation from causation, identify independent and dependent variables, and recognize the value of random assignment and control groups.
Traps
Questions frequently test correlation versus causation and confuse reinforcement with punishment, or negative reinforcement with punishment (negative reinforcement removes an aversive stimulus to increase behavior-it is not punishment). Another trap swaps stage theories or attributes a concept to the wrong theorist.
Rule of thumb
For learning questions, ask: is behavior increasing or decreasing, and is a stimulus added or removed? Increase = reinforcement; decrease = punishment.
Worked example
"A student studies to avoid losing privileges. What is this?" Removing a privilege is a consequence that decreases behavior-negative punishment-not negative reinforcement.