Table of Contents
Preface iii
The Kaplan MCAT Review Team vi
About Scientific American vii
About the MCAT viii
How This Book Was Created xix
Using This Book xx
Chapter 1 Biology and Behavior 1
1.1 A Brief History of Neuropsychology 4
1.2 Organization of the Human Nervous System 6
1.3 Organization of the Brain 12
1.4 Parts of the Forebrain 19
1.5 Influences on Behavior 28
1.6 Development 34
Chapter 2 Sensation and Perception 53
2.1 Sensation vs. Perception 55
2.2 Vision 62
2.3 Hearing and Vestibular Sense 70
2.4 Other Senses 75
2.5 Object Recognition 78
Chapter 3 Learning and Memory 95
3.1 Learning 98
3.2 Memory 108
3.3 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 118
Chapter 4 Cognition, Consciousness, and Language 129
4.1 Cognition 132
4.2 Problem Solving and Decision-Making 139
4.3 Consciousness 145
4.4 Consciousness-Altering Drugs 152
4.5 Attention 159
4.6 Language 161
Chapter 5 Motivation, Emotion, and Stress 181
5.1 Motivation 184
5.2 Emotion 191
5.3 Stress 201
Chapter 6 Identity and Personality 217
6.1 Self-Concept and Identity 220
6.2 Formation of Identity 225
6.3 Personality 232
Chapter 7 Psychological Disorders 257
7.1 Understanding Psychological Disorders 260
7.2 Types of Psychological Disorders 263
7.3 Biological Basis of Nervous System Disorders 275
Chapter 8 Social Processes, Attitudes, and Behavior 291
8.1 Group Psychology 294
8.2 Socialization 304
8.3 Attitudes and Behavior 312
Chapter 9 Social Interaction 325
9.1 Elements of Social Interaction 327
9.2 Self-Presentation and Interacting with Others 333
Chapter 10 Social Thinking 351
10.1 Social Behavior 354
10.2 Social Perception and Behavior 365
10.3 Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination 371
Chapter 11 Social Structure and Demographics 387
11.1 Sociology: Theories and Institutions 390
11.2 Culture 400
11.3 Demographics 405
Chapter 12 Social Stratification 427
12.1 Social Class 430
12.2 Epidemiology and Disparities 440
Glossary 457
Index 479
Art Credits 493
