MCAT Psychological Social Foundations Flashcards: 9b Globalization Transnational Processes

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This deck focuses on 9b Globalization Transnational Processes, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for MCAT Psychological Social Foundations.

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Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is globalization in the MCAT social sciences context?

Answer: Increasing worldwide integration of economies, cultures, and populations. Encompasses economic, social, and cultural interconnectedness across borders.

Flashcard 2: What is globalization in the context of MCAT sociology and public health?

Answer: Increasing worldwide integration of economies, cultures, and populations. Encompasses economic, cultural, and demographic interconnectedness.

Flashcard 3: What is offshoring in the context of global labor and production?

Answer: Relocating business processes to another country. This strategy exploits comparative advantages in foreign locations, enhancing global supply chain efficiencies.

Flashcard 4: What is cultural divergence?

Answer: Societies becoming more different as local identities are reinforced. Occurs as groups resist homogenization and assert unique identities.

Flashcard 5: What is the 'race to the bottom' in global labor and regulation?

Answer: Countries lowering labor or environmental standards to attract investment. Competition leads to weakening protections to reduce business costs.

Flashcard 6: What is brain drain?

Answer: Emigration of highly skilled workers from poorer to richer countries. Depletes origin countries of human capital.

Flashcard 7: What is a remittance in the context of international migration?

Answer: Money sent by migrants to individuals or households in their home country. Major source of income for many developing countries.

Flashcard 8: What is cultural convergence in the context of globalization?

Answer: Cultures becoming more similar due to shared media, markets, and contact. Results from increased exposure to global media and consumer culture.

Flashcard 9: What is a remittance in migration studies?

Answer: Money sent by migrants to individuals or households in their origin country. Major economic flow supporting families and economies in origin countries.

Flashcard 10: What is a diaspora?

Answer: A dispersed population maintaining ties to a shared homeland identity. Examples include Jewish, Chinese, and African diasporas worldwide.

Flashcard 11: What is the epidemiologic transition associated with modernization?

Answer: Shift from infectious disease mortality to chronic disease mortality. Reflects improved sanitation, nutrition, and healthcare access.

Flashcard 12: What is McDonaldization?

Answer: Global spread of efficiency, predictability, calculability, control. Ritzer's theory of rationalization spreading globally.

Flashcard 13: What is globalization in the social sciences, as used on the MCAT?

Answer: Increasing worldwide integration of economies, cultures, and institutions. Encompasses economic, cultural, and political interconnectedness globally.

Flashcard 14: What is a free trade agreement?

Answer: A pact reducing trade barriers between participating countries. Eliminates tariffs and quotas to boost international trade.

Flashcard 15: What is brain drain?

Answer: Emigration of highly skilled workers from a country. Creates human capital loss for origin countries, gain for destinations.

Flashcard 16: In world-systems theory, what defines a semi-peripheral nation?

Answer: Intermediate development; both exploits and is exploited in the world economy. This status allows semi-peripheral nations to act as buffers, facilitating transitions within the global hierarchy.

Flashcard 17: What is assimilation as an acculturation outcome?

Answer: Adopting host culture while losing much of the original culture. Original cultural identity weakens as host culture dominates.

Flashcard 18: What is glocalization?

Answer: Global products or ideas adapted to fit local cultures and preferences. Combines 'global' and 'local' to create culturally hybrid products.

Flashcard 19: What is outsourcing in the context of globalization?

Answer: Contracting production or services to firms in other countries. Reduces costs by utilizing cheaper labor markets abroad.

Flashcard 20: What is a remittance in the context of migration and globalization?

Answer: Money sent by migrants to individuals in their origin country. Financial transfers supporting families across borders.

Flashcard 21: What is cultural divergence as a response to globalization?

Answer: Cultures becoming more distinct by emphasizing local identity and tradition. Often a protective reaction against perceived cultural homogenization.

Flashcard 22: What is a transnational process?

Answer: A social, economic, or political process spanning national borders. Transcends traditional nation-state boundaries.

Flashcard 23: What is the digital divide in the context of globalization?

Answer: Unequal access to digital technology and internet connectivity. Creates inequality between connected and disconnected populations.

Flashcard 24: What is a pull factor in international migration?

Answer: An attractive condition that draws people toward a destination. These factors, such as job opportunities, attract migrants, shaping patterns of transnational labor flows.

Flashcard 25: Which option best describes relative deprivation as a driver of collective action?

Answer: Perceived disadvantage compared with a reference group, not absolute poverty. Focuses on subjective comparison rather than objective conditions.

Flashcard 26: What is marginalization as an acculturation outcome?

Answer: Low identification with both original and host cultures. Results in cultural isolation and identity loss.

Flashcard 27: What is a diaspora?

Answer: A dispersed population maintaining ties to a shared origin or homeland. Examples include Jewish, Chinese, and African diasporas globally.

Flashcard 28: Identify the concept: A firm tailors a global fast-food menu to local religious norms.

Answer: Glocalization. Adapts global products to local cultural contexts.

Flashcard 29: What is outsourcing?

Answer: Contracting work to an external firm, often in another country. Reduces costs by using cheaper labor markets abroad.

Flashcard 30: What is a push factor for migration?

Answer: Origin-country condition that motivates leaving (e.g., conflict, poverty). Negative conditions driving emigration decisions.

Flashcard 31: What is offshoring?

Answer: Moving business processes or production to another country. Differs from outsourcing by relocating entire operations internationally.

Flashcard 32: What is glocalization in analyses of global culture?

Answer: Global products or ideas adapted to local cultures. Combines globalization with localization for culturally-specific adaptations.

Flashcard 33: What is glocalization?

Answer: Adapting global products or ideas to local cultures. Blends global and local elements (global + local).

Flashcard 34: Identify the term: immigrants maintain origin culture while adopting host culture.

Answer: Integration (biculturalism). Berry's model: high heritage culture + high host culture adoption.

Flashcard 35: What is globalization in the MCAT social sciences context?

Answer: Increasing worldwide integration of economies, cultures, and populations. Connects markets, societies, and people across borders.

Flashcard 36: What is a maquiladora?

Answer: Border-zone factory assembling imported parts for export. Common in Mexico, exploits low wages and tariff exemptions.

Flashcard 37: Which world-systems category typically has high wages and high-skill production?

Answer: Core. Dominant nations with advanced technology and capital accumulation.

Flashcard 38: What is cultural imperialism as a globalization concept?

Answer: Dominant culture displaces local cultures via power and media. Often associated with Western/American cultural dominance globally.

Flashcard 39: What is outsourcing in global economic production?

Answer: Contracting tasks to external firms, often in other countries. This practice reduces costs by leveraging global labor markets, contributing to transnational economic interdependence.

Flashcard 40: What is brain drain?

Answer: Emigration of highly skilled workers from a country. Loss of talent harms origin country's development.

Flashcard 41: What are remittances in the context of transnational migration?

Answer: Money migrants send to individuals or communities in their origin country. Major economic flow supporting families and economies in developing nations.

Flashcard 42: What is brain gain in the context of transnational migration?

Answer: Increase in skilled human capital via immigration or return migration. Benefits receiving countries through enhanced workforce expertise.

Flashcard 43: What is a remittance in migration studies?

Answer: Money sent by migrants to individuals in their country of origin. Financial support flows from migrants to home communities.

Flashcard 44: What is a push factor for migration?

Answer: A condition that drives people to leave an origin location. Examples: poverty, conflict, persecution, or environmental disasters.

Flashcard 45: What is the demographic transition model's key outcome as countries industrialize?

Answer: Shift from high birth/death rates to low birth/death rates over time. This model explains population stabilization in industrialized nations due to socioeconomic changes from globalization.

Flashcard 46: What is a multinational corporation (MNC)?

Answer: A firm operating in multiple countries with integrated management. Examples include McDonald's, Coca-Cola, and Toyota.

Flashcard 47: What is homogenization in globalization theory?

Answer: Cultures become more similar due to shared global influences. Creates "McDonaldization" of world cultures.

Flashcard 48: What is brain drain as a globalization-related migration pattern?

Answer: Emigration of highly educated or skilled workers from a country. This phenomenon depletes origin countries of talent, exacerbating global inequalities in skilled labor distribution.

Flashcard 49: Which concept best fits: a fast-food chain changes its menu for local tastes?

Answer: Glocalization. Demonstrates adaptation of global products to local contexts.

Flashcard 50: What is cultural diffusion as a globalization process?

Answer: Spread of cultural beliefs and social activities between groups. Ideas, practices, and values move across cultural boundaries.

Flashcard 51: What is offshoring, and how does it differ from outsourcing?

Answer: Relocating work abroad; outsourcing is contracting, not necessarily abroad. Offshoring moves operations; outsourcing uses third parties.

Flashcard 52: Identify the concept: a disease spreads via international air travel networks.

Answer: Globalization-driven disease diffusion (transnational transmission). Shows how interconnectedness facilitates rapid disease spread.

Flashcard 53: What is cultural relativism as applied to global cultural comparison?

Answer: Evaluating a culture by its own standards rather than external norms. This approach promotes understanding diverse cultures on their own terms, countering biases in global interactions.

Flashcard 54: What is cultural relativism when analyzing global cultural practices?

Answer: Evaluating a culture using that culture's own standards and context. Avoids bias by understanding practices within their cultural framework.

Flashcard 55: What is brain drain?

Answer: Emigration of highly educated or skilled workers from a country. Talent leaves developing nations for better opportunities.

Flashcard 56: What is globalization in the social sciences?

Answer: Increasing worldwide integration of economies, cultures, and politics. Connects markets, societies, and governments across borders.

Flashcard 57: What is glocalization in cultural change?

Answer: Global products or ideas adapted to local cultures and preferences. Blends global and local elements for cultural relevance.

Flashcard 58: What is a global supply chain?

Answer: International network of production, labor, and distribution stages. Connects raw materials to consumers across multiple countries.

Flashcard 59: In world-systems theory, what defines a peripheral nation?

Answer: Low-skill, low-wage, labor-intensive production and weaker institutions. These traits position peripheral nations as suppliers of raw materials, reinforcing their dependency in the global economy.

Flashcard 60: What is epidemiologic transition in relation to development and globalization?

Answer: Shift from infectious disease burden to chronic degenerative diseases. This shift occurs as societies develop, reflecting improved healthcare and lifestyle changes driven by global influences.

Flashcard 61: What is acculturation?

Answer: Cultural change from sustained contact between groups. Results from prolonged intercultural interaction.

Flashcard 62: What is neoliberalism as an economic approach tied to globalization?

Answer: Market deregulation, privatization, and reduced state economic control. Promotes free markets and minimal government intervention globally.

Flashcard 63: What term describes companies operating in multiple countries with global supply chains?

Answer: Multinational corporation (MNC). Operates across borders with integrated global operations.

Flashcard 64: What is offshoring?

Answer: Relocating business processes or production to another country. Moves operations overseas for cost or strategic advantages.

Flashcard 65: What is offshoring in the global economy?

Answer: Relocating business processes to another country. Moves operations abroad while maintaining ownership.

Flashcard 66: Which term best fits: Local fast-food menu changes to match regional tastes?

Answer: Glocalization. McDonald's offering rice dishes in Asia exemplifies this adaptation.

Flashcard 67: What is neoliberalism as an economic approach tied to globalization?

Answer: Emphasis on free markets, privatization, deregulation, and trade liberalization. This ideology promotes global economic integration by reducing barriers, influencing policies worldwide.

Flashcard 68: What is a transnational process?

Answer: A process that crosses national borders and links multiple societies. Emphasizes phenomena that transcend single nation-state boundaries.

Flashcard 69: What is push-pull theory of migration?

Answer: Migration driven by push factors at origin and pull factors at destination. Negative origin factors push while positive destination factors pull.

Flashcard 70: What term describes a corporation operating in multiple countries with global supply chains?

Answer: Multinational corporation (MNC). Operates across borders with centralized management and decentralized operations.

Flashcard 71: What is cultural convergence?

Answer: Societies becoming more similar in norms and practices over time. Often results from globalization and shared media exposure.

Flashcard 72: What is outsourcing?

Answer: Contracting work to an external organization, often abroad. Reduces costs by utilizing global labor markets and expertise.

Flashcard 73: What is remittance in migration studies?

Answer: Money sent by migrants to individuals or households in origin countries. Major economic support for developing countries.

Flashcard 74: What is offshoring?

Answer: Relocating business processes to a different country. Differs from outsourcing by moving entire operations abroad.

Flashcard 75: What is remittance in the context of transnational migration?

Answer: Money sent by migrants to individuals or institutions in the origin country. These transfers support origin economies, highlighting the economic impacts of migration in globalized contexts.

Flashcard 76: Which option best describes the digital divide: unequal access to what resource?

Answer: Information and communication technologies (especially internet access). Creates disparities in education, economic opportunity, and social participation.

Flashcard 77: What is a pull factor for migration?

Answer: A condition that attracts people to a destination location. Examples: jobs, education, safety, or family reunification opportunities.

Flashcard 78: Identify the term for movement from rural areas to cities, often accelerated by global industry.

Answer: Urbanization. Global economic shifts create job opportunities drawing rural populations.

Flashcard 79: What is cultural diffusion in the context of globalization?

Answer: Spread of cultural beliefs and practices from one group to another. Can occur through trade, media, migration, or direct contact.

Flashcard 80: What is cultural imperialism?

Answer: Dominant culture spreading and displacing local cultures and values. Often critiqued as Western values dominating through media and commerce.

Flashcard 81: Which concept best fits: a local language declines as global media promotes a dominant language?

Answer: Cultural imperialism. Powerful culture overwhelms and replaces local practices.

Flashcard 82: What is glocalization?

Answer: Global products or ideas adapted to fit local cultures and markets. Combines 'global' and 'local' to describe hybrid adaptations.

Flashcard 83: Which concept best fits: a country loses physicians to higher-paying nations?

Answer: Brain drain. Illustrates skilled worker migration driven by economic disparities.

Flashcard 84: What is cultural imperialism in globalization studies?

Answer: Dominance of one culture over others, often via media and markets. This concept explains how powerful cultures impose their values globally, often leading to cultural homogenization.

Flashcard 85: What is meant by transnational processes in sociology?

Answer: Cross-border flows of people, goods, capital, ideas, and institutions. Processes that extend beyond national borders, creating global networks.

Flashcard 86: What is the dependency theory claim about global inequality?

Answer: Core nations develop by exploiting peripheral nations. Suggests wealthy nations maintain poverty in developing countries for profit.

Flashcard 87: What is the epidemiologic transition associated with globalization and development?

Answer: Shift from infectious disease to chronic, degenerative disease burden. Modernization changes primary causes of death over time.

Flashcard 88: What is cultural imperialism in globalization?

Answer: Dominant culture displaces local cultures via media, goods, and norms. Powerful cultures overwhelm and replace local traditions.

Flashcard 89: What is a pandemic as used in global health and globalization?

Answer: An epidemic spread across multiple countries or continents. Requires coordinated international public health responses.

Flashcard 90: What term describes political and economic relationships that cross national borders and reduce state control?

Answer: Transnationalism. Creates connections beyond traditional nation-state boundaries.

Flashcard 91: What is cultural imperialism?

Answer: Dominant culture displaces local cultures through power and media. Often criticized as Western cultural domination.

Flashcard 92: What is the main idea of the McDonaldization thesis?

Answer: Global spread of efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control. This thesis argues that rationalized systems from fast-food models extend globally, standardizing social and economic practices.

Flashcard 93: What is a diaspora?

Answer: A dispersed population maintaining ties to a shared homeland. Communities maintain cultural connections across borders.

Flashcard 94: What is cultural divergence?

Answer: Cultures becoming more distinct, often to preserve identity. Resistance to homogenization strengthens local traditions.

Flashcard 95: Which term best fits: A migrant keeps strong ties to origin and host countries?

Answer: Transnationalism. Describes migrants maintaining dual connections and identities.

Flashcard 96: What term describes increasing similarity of cultures due to global flows and media?

Answer: Cultural convergence (homogenization). Results in loss of cultural diversity as societies become more alike.

Flashcard 97: What is a multinational corporation (MNC)?

Answer: A firm operating in multiple countries with coordinated management. These entities drive economic globalization by integrating operations across borders to maximize efficiency and profits.

Flashcard 98: What is a diaspora in the context of migration and transnationalism?

Answer: Dispersed population maintaining ties to a shared homeland. Members often maintain dual identities and transnational connections.

Flashcard 99: Which concept best fits: migrants maintain strong ties to their origin country while living abroad?

Answer: Transnationalism. Living between two cultures, maintaining dual connections.

Flashcard 100: What is globalization in the sociological sense relevant to MCAT 9B?

Answer: Increasing worldwide interconnectedness of economies, cultures, and people. This captures the core sociological view of globalization as fostering interdependencies across borders in economic, cultural, and social domains.