Understanding social and psychological theories is crucial for success on the MCAT, as these concepts shape everything from human behavior to societal structures. In this episode, Sam Smith breaks down the essential sociological and psychological theories you need to master, ranging from functionalism and conflict theory to the theories of emotion. Sam explains how these theories apply to real-world scenarios, including their relevance in medicine, healthcare disparities, and patient interactions. Visit medschoolcoach.com for more help with the MCAT. Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Intro (01:58) Overview of social and psychological theories (03:23) Functionalism (09:55) Conflict theory (12:52) Symbolic interactions (15:12) Social constructionism (18:46) Rational choice and exchange theory (23:54) Feminist theory (26:10) Behaviorism (29:34) Life course theory (33:45) Theories of emotion (41:03) Motivational theoriesÂ
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50:14
Electromagnetism
Electromagnetism is a critical component of physics, playing a pivotal role in everything from circuits to medical imaging technologies like MRIs. It is also a crucial topic for the MCAT, appearing frequently in the physics and chemistry sections. In this episode, Sam Smith breaks down the fundamental concepts of electricity and magnetism. Sam walks through the basics of static electricity, charge conservation, and Coulomb’s Law and explains how moving charges create currents and the forces exerted by electric and magnetic fields. Visit medschoolcoach.com for more help with the MCAT. Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Intro (01:44) How charge is defined: positive and negative (03:31) History of charge and the amber effect (05:02) Static electricity and the conservation of charge (07:26) Conductors vs. insulators (09:22) How electrostatic force is governed by Coulomb’s Law (10:52) Understanding electric fields (16:27) The relationship between electric field strength and distance (18:17) How moving charges create a current and electric potential (22:23) Different types of magnetic materials and their behavior (25:45) How magnetic fields are visualized and understood through field lines (28:32) The right-hand rule explained (33:22) How magnetic forces act on moving charges and currents (40:01) The application of electromagnetism in MRIs (44:55) MCAT Advice of the Day
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Functional Groups: Physical and Chemical Properties
A deep understanding of functional groups is crucial for excelling in the MCAT, as they play a key role in the reactivity, physical properties, and biological functions of molecules. In this episode, Sam Smith breaks down the essential functional groups, covering their physical and chemical properties, biological relevance, and common reaction mechanisms. From alcohols and carbonyl-containing groups like aldehydes and ketones, to nitrogen-containing amines and amides, Sam explains how these groups are presented in exam questions and their impact on biological systems. Visit medschoolcoach.com for more help with the MCAT. Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Intro (01:54) How the MCAT asks questions about functional groups (02:01) Physical vs. chemical properties (04:09) Alcohols: Structure and classification (06:13) MCAT questions related to the physical properties of alcohols (10:03) MCAT question examples related to boiling points (11:54) Biological reactions involving alcohols (34:23) Reactivity of carbonyl-containing functional groups Â
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Psychosocial Development and Identity
The essentials of identity theories and psychosocial development reveal the foundational elements of human behavior and self-perception. In this episode, Sam Smith discusses the core theories around identity, from Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development and Freud’s psychosexual stages to Piaget’s cognitive framework and Kohlberg’s stages of moral growth. Sam talks about how each theory is represented in MCAT questions, explaining key differences and how they impact our understanding of self-concept, self-esteem, and social roles. Whether it's Cooley’s looking-glass self or Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development, this episode helps make sense of the MCAT’s approach to personality and identity development. Visit medschoolcoach.com for more help with the MCAT. Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Intro (01:04) Psychosocial development and identity (01:42) The different theories of identity formation (01:57) Basic ideas regarding identity and self-concept (08:29) Erikson's psychosocial development theory (16:47) Testing strategies and MCAT questions (17:57) Freud's psychosexual development theory (24:01) Piaget's stages of cognitive development (28:15) Kohlberg's theory of moral development (32:42) Cooley's looking-glass self (33:21) George Herbert Mead's the I and the Me (34:34) Vygotsky's social development theory Â
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Learning and Memory
Learning and memory are foundational concepts that play a critical role in acing the MCAT, especially in the Psych/Soc section. In this episode, host Sam Smith discusses the key concepts of learning and memory, covering the brain structures involved in memory formation, like the hippocampus and amygdala, as well as the different types of memory—explicit, implicit, and working memory. Sam also explores types of learning, including latent learning, observational learning, and the essential principles of classical and operant conditioning, and more. Visit medschoolcoach.com for more help with the MCAT. Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Intro (01:03) How brain structures support learning and memory (02:39) The role of memory in learning processes (03:20) How the information processing model explains memory (16:28) Types of learning: latent, observational, and conditioning (17:48) How observational learning works in social contexts (18:23) Overview of classical and operant conditioning (34:44) MCAT Advice of the Day
Join us as we detail MCAT exam topics. Each podcast covers several MCAT sections with lessons based on review material put out by the AAMC, such as practice tests and question banks. Sam also interviews MCAT tutors and experts who share tips on how premed students can raise their score to get into medical school.
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