MCAT Sociology Syllabus

Sociology syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Sociology in MCAT, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Foundations of Sociology

   2 topics

   • Theoretical Perspectives
     • Functionalism
     • Conflict Theory
     • Symbolic Interactionism
     • Feminist Theory
   • Research Methods
     • Quantitative Methods (Surveys, Experiments, Secondary Data Analysis)
     • Qualitative Methods (Interviews, Ethnography, Case Studies)
     • Ethical Considerations in Sociological Research
2. 2

   Social Structure

   3 topics

   • Family
     • Types of Families (Nuclear, Extended, Blended)
     • Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives on Family
   • Education
     • Theories of Education (Functionalism, Conflict Theory)
     • Educational Inequality (Socioeconomic Status, Race/Ethnicity, Gender)
   • Religion
     • Types of Religious Organizations (Churches, Sects, Cults)
     • Religious Beliefs and Practices
3. 3

   Socialization, Identity, and Social Interaction

   3 topics

   • Socialization
     • Agents of Socialization (Family, Peers, Media)
     • Theories of Socialization (Symbolic Interactionism, Social Learning Theory)
   • Social Identity
     • Self-Concept and Self-Socialization
     • Social Roles and Role Conflict
     • Group Membership and Identity Formation
   • Social Interaction
     • Types of Social Interaction (Cooperation, Competition, Conflict)
     • Microsociology and Everyday Interactions
     • Social Networks and Social Support
4. 4

   Social Stratification

   3 topics

   • Social Class
     • Theories of Social Class (Marxist, Weberian)
     • Social Mobility and Class Structure
     • Poverty and Social Exclusion
   • Race and Ethnicity
     • Theories of Race and Ethnic Relations (Conflict Theory, Symbolic Interactionism)
     • Prejudice, Discrimination, and Stereotypes
     • Racial and Ethnic Identity
   • Gender and Sexuality
     • Gender Roles and Gender Identity
     • Theories of Gender (Feminist Theory, Queer Theory)
     • Sexuality and Sexual Orientation
5. 5

   Social Change and Social Movements

   3 topics

   • Types of Social Change
     • Modernization
     • Globalization
     • Social Movements and Collective Behavior
   • Theories of Social Change
     • Structural-Functionalism
     • Conflict Theory
     • Social Movement Theories (Resource Mobilization, New Social Movement Theory)
   • Technology and Social Change
     • Impact of Technology on Society
     • Digital Divide and Technological Inequality
6. 6

   Health and Illness

   2 topics

   • Social Determinants of Health
     • Social Epidemiology
     • Socioeconomic Status and Health Disparities
     • Healthcare Access and Inequalities
   • Theories of Health and Illness
     • Medicalization
     • Social Construction of Illness
     • Patient-Provider Interactions
7. 7

   Collective Behavior, Social Movements, and Social Change

   2 topics

   • Collective Behavior
     • Types of Collective Behavior (Riots, Fads, Panics)
     • Emergence and Evolution of Collective Behavior
   • Social Movements
     • Types of Social Movements (Reformist, Revolutionary, Reactionary)
     • Theories of Social Movements (Resource Mobilization Theory, New Social Movement Theory)
     • Social Movement Strategies and Tactics

Sociology flashcards for MCAT

19 of 51 cards from the Sociology deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What are the three major theoretical perspectives in sociology, and what is the analytic focus of each?

   Functionalism (macro): society as interrelated parts maintaining stability/equilibrium. Conflict theory (macro): competition over scarce resources and power inequality (Marx). Symbolic interactionism (micro): meaning created through everyday interactions and symbols.

2. Distinguish manifest functions from latent functions, and define a dysfunction (Merton).

   Manifest functions are intended, recognized consequences of a social process. Latent functions are unintended, often unrecognized consequences. A dysfunction is a consequence that disrupts social stability or has negative effects.

3. In conflict theory, what does Marx mean by bourgeoisie vs. proletariat, and by false consciousness?

   Bourgeoisie are the owners of the means of production; proletariat are the workers who sell their labor. False consciousness is the proletariat's inability to recognize its own exploitation, contrasted with class consciousness (awareness of shared interests).

4. What is symbolic interactionism's core idea, and what is the difference between the 'I' and the 'me' (Mead)?

   Social reality is constructed through shared symbols/meanings in interaction. The 'I' is the spontaneous, individual/self-driven response; the 'me' is the socialized self that internalizes others' expectations (the generalized other).

5. Define social constructionism and compare it with rational choice / exchange theory.

   Social constructionism holds that people actively shape reality and that many concepts (e.g., gender, money) exist only because society agrees they do. Rational choice/exchange theory holds individuals act to maximize benefits and minimize costs in interactions.

6. What is feminist theory's central sociological claim?

   That gender is a central organizing principle of social life and that social institutions perpetuate patriarchy and gender inequality; it critiques male-dominated perspectives across society and knowledge.

7. Contrast quantitative and qualitative research methods, giving an example of each.

   Quantitative methods collect numerical data for statistical analysis (e.g., surveys, experiments). Qualitative methods collect non-numerical data to understand meaning (e.g., interviews, ethnography, participant observation).

8. Define independent variable, dependent variable, and confounding variable.

   Independent variable is the manipulated/predictor variable. Dependent variable is the measured outcome. A confounding variable is an extraneous variable correlated with both, creating a spurious association.

9. What is the difference between correlation and causation, and what three criteria establish causation?

   Correlation is co-variation between variables; causation means one produces a change in the other. Causation requires: (1) covariation/correlation, (2) temporal precedence (cause before effect), and (3) elimination of alternative/confounding explanations.

10. Define reliability and validity in research measurement.

    Reliability is the consistency/reproducibility of a measure across trials. Validity is whether a measure actually captures the intended construct. A measure can be reliable without being valid.

11. What is the difference between a population and a sample, and why is random sampling important?

    A population is the entire group of interest; a sample is a subset studied. Random sampling gives each member an equal chance of selection, minimizing selection bias and improving generalizability (external validity).

12. What is the Hawthorne effect?

    A change in participants' behavior simply because they know they are being observed/studied, which can threaten the validity of research findings.

13. According to functionalism, what are the key functions of the family institution?

    Regulation of sexual activity, reproduction, socialization of children, economic and emotional support, and conferral of social status/ascription.

14. Define and distinguish the nuclear family and the extended family.

    A nuclear family consists of two parents and their children. An extended family includes additional relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) beyond the nuclear unit, often in one household.

15. Distinguish endogamy from exogamy, and monogamy from polygamy (polygyny vs. polyandry).

    Endogamy is marriage within one's social group; exogamy is marriage outside it. Monogamy is one spouse at a time; polygamy is multiple spouses—polygyny (one man, multiple wives) or polyandry (one woman, multiple husbands).

16. Define kinship patterns: patrilineal, matrilineal, and bilateral descent.

    Patrilineal descent traces lineage/inheritance through the father's line; matrilineal through the mother's line; bilateral traces through both parents' lines.

17. What is the hidden curriculum in education?

    The implicit, unofficial lessons—values, norms, and social expectations (e.g., obedience, punctuality, competition)—that schools transmit alongside the formal academic curriculum.

18. How do functionalists and conflict theorists explain the role of education differently?

    Functionalists see education as socializing students, sorting talent, and transmitting culture. Conflict theorists see it as reproducing social inequality (e.g., tracking, unequal funding) and legitimizing the class structure.

19. Define teacher expectancy effect (self-fulfilling prophecy) in education.

    When teachers' expectations about a student's ability influence that student's actual performance, causing the prediction to come true (a self-fulfilling prophecy).

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