MCAT Social and Behavioral Sciences

An exploration of the psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence human health and behavior, tailored for MCAT preparation.

Advanced Topics

Socialization and Group Dynamics

How Groups Shape Us

Socialization is the lifelong process through which individuals learn and internalize the values and norms of their society. Group dynamics explore how people behave in groups, including conformity, obedience, and groupthink.

Mechanisms of Socialization

  • Primary agents: Family, peers, schools, media
  • Stages: Childhood, adolescence, adulthood

Group Influence

  • Conformity: Adjusting behavior to fit in (Asch’s line experiments)
  • Obedience: Following authority (Milgram’s shock experiments)
  • Groupthink: Desire for harmony leads to poor decisions

Health Care Teams

Understanding group dynamics is crucial for effective teamwork and ethical decision-making in medical settings.

Examples

  • Medical teams use awareness of groupthink to avoid errors in patient care.

  • Doctors recognize patient reluctance to speak up as a result of social conformity.

In a Nutshell

Socialization and group processes shape beliefs, behaviors, and decision-making.