MCAT foundational Standards/Subtopics: : Demographic characteristics and processes Demographic Shifts and Social Change Fertility, migration, mortality Fertility and mortality rates (total, crude, age-specific) Patterns in fertility and mortality Push and pull factors in migration Globalization Factors contributing to globalization (communication technology, economic interdependence) Perspectives on globalization Social changes in globalization (civil unrest, terrorism) : Social Inequality Social Class Aspects of social stratification Global inequalities Poverty Relative and absolute poverty Health Disparities (e.g. gender, and race inequalities in health) Healthcare Disparities (e.g. gender, and race inequalities in health care) For Further Research and Exploration: World Health Organization (WHO): Global Social Determinates of Health This page contains a number of links to relevant global social determinates of health which the WHO describes as “the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including the health system. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels, which are themselves influenced by policy choices. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries.” The World Health Organization has offices in over 150 countries and coordinates and directs global health within the United Nations system. Global Inequality This basic six minute video provides a refresher on quantitative and qualitative dimensions of global inequality as it relates to health such as life expectancy and maternal mortality. It was produced in collaboration between The Association of American Medical Colleges and Khan University. Illustrating Global Wealth Inequality - Sociological Images Global wealth inequality macro dimensions and statistics are very effectively illustrated in this four minute video and summary on Soc Images. Globalization Theories
Questions that test this skill will ask you to show that you understand scientific concepts and principles by, for example, Recognizing correct scientific principles Identifying the relationships among closely-related concepts Identifying the relationships between different representations of concepts (e.g., verbal, symbolic, graphic) Identifying examples of observations that illustrate scientific principles Using mathematical equations to solve problems SKILL TWO: Scientific Reasoning and Problem Solving Reasoning about scientific principles, theories, and models Analyzing and evaluating scientific explanations and predictions You will be asked to show that you can use scientific principles to solve problems by, for example, Reasoning about scientific principles, theories, and models Analyzing and evaluating scientific explanations and predictions Evaluating arguments about causes and consequences Bringing together theory, observations, and evidence to draw conclusions Recognizing scientific findings that challenge or invalidate a scientific theory or model Determining and using scientific formulas to solve problems THREE: Reasoning about the Design and Execution of Research Demonstrating understanding of important components of scientific research Reasoning about ethical issues in research Questions that test this skill will ask you to use your knowledge of important components of scientific methodology by, for example, Identifying the role of theory, past findings, and observations in scientific questioning Identifying testable research questions and hypotheses Distinguishing between samples and populations and between results that do and do not support generalizations about populations Identifying the relationships the variables in a study (e.g., independent versus dependent variables; control and confounding variables) Reasoning about the appropriateness, precision, and accuracy of tools used to conduct research in the natural sciences Reasoning about the appropriateness, reliability, and validity of tools used to conduct research in the behavioral and social sciences Reasoning the features of research studies that suggest associations between variables or causal relationships between them (e.g., temporality, random assignment) Reasoning about ethical issues in scientific research SKILL FOUR Data-Based and Statistical Reasoning Interpreting patterns in data presented in tables, figures, and graphs Reasoning about data and drawing conclusions from them