NMAT Social Sciences
Comprehensive guide to Psychology, Sociology, History & Current Events
Estimated: 35 min readPart 4 of 5
Section 1
Psychology
Major Psychological Perspectives
Psychoanalytic (Freud)
- Focus: Unconscious mind, childhood experiences
- Structure of Personality: Id (pleasure), Ego (reality), Superego (morality)
- Defense Mechanisms: Denial, Repression, Projection, Displacement
Behaviorism (Watson, Skinner)
- Focus: Observable behavior, environment
- Classical Conditioning: Pavlov's dogs (stimulus-response)
- Operant Conditioning: Reinforcement and punishment
Humanistic (Maslow, Rogers)
- Focus: Self-actualization, personal growth
- Maslow's Hierarchy: Physiological → Safety → Love → Esteem → Self-Actualization
- Concepts: Free will, human potential
Cognitive (Piaget)
- Focus: Mental processes, thinking, memory
- Piaget's Stages: Sensorimotor → Preoperational → Concrete → Formal Operational
- Concepts: Schema, assimilation, accommodation
Learning and Memory
Types of Memory
- Sensory Memory: Brief storage of sensory input (seconds)
- Short-term Memory: Limited capacity (~7 items), brief duration (20-30 sec)
- Long-term Memory: Unlimited capacity, permanent storage
Psychological Disorders
Mood Disorders
- • Major Depressive Disorder
- • Bipolar Disorder
- • Seasonal Affective Disorder
Anxiety Disorders
- • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- • Panic Disorder
- • Phobias, OCD, PTSD
Section 2
Sociology
Sociological Perspectives
Functionalism (Durkheim)
Society as a system of interconnected parts working together for stability. Each institution serves a function.
Conflict Theory (Marx)
Society marked by inequality and competition for resources. Focus on power, class conflict, and social change.
Symbolic Interactionism (Mead)
Society constructed through everyday interactions. Focus on symbols, meanings, and micro-level interactions.
Key Sociological Concepts
- Culture: Shared beliefs, values, norms, and material goods of a society
- Socialization: Process of learning society's culture and norms
- Social Stratification: Ranking of people based on wealth, power, prestige
- Social Mobility: Movement between social classes
- Deviance: Violation of social norms
- Social Institutions: Family, education, religion, government, economy
Filipino Family & Social Structure
- Extended Family System: Close ties with relatives beyond nuclear family
- Bayanihan: Community spirit of cooperation and mutual help
- Utang na Loob: Debt of gratitude, reciprocity in relationships
- Pakikisama: Getting along, smooth interpersonal relationships
- Hiya: Shame, sense of propriety
- Respect for Elders: Use of "po" and "opo", blessing (mano)
Section 3
Philippine History
Pre-Colonial Period
- Barangay System: Basic political unit led by datu
- Social Classes: Datu, Maharlika, Timawa, Alipin
- Trade: Active trade with China, India, Arab nations
- Writing: Baybayin script
- Religion: Animism, belief in anitos/diwatas
Spanish Colonial Period (1565-1898)
- 1521: Magellan arrives, Battle of Mactan, Lapu-Lapu
- 1565: Legazpi establishes first Spanish settlement
- Encomienda System: Land grant system, tribute collection
- Polo y Servicios: Forced labor system
- Reduccion: Resettlement policy, plaza complex
- Galleon Trade (1565-1815): Manila-Acapulco trade route
- Propaganda Movement: Rizal, del Pilar, Luna - reform through peaceful means
- Katipunan (1892): Andres Bonifacio, revolutionary society
American Period (1898-1946)
- 1898: Treaty of Paris, Spain cedes Philippines to US
- 1899: Philippine-American War begins
- Benevolent Assimilation: American colonial policy
- Public Education System: Thomasites, English instruction
- 1935: Commonwealth established, Quezon as president
- 1941-1945: Japanese Occupation
- July 4, 1946: Independence Day (changed to June 12)
Post-Independence Period
- Third Republic (1946-1972): Roxas, Quirino, Magsaysay, Garcia, Macapagal, Marcos
- Martial Law (1972-1981): Marcos declares martial law
- 1986: EDSA People Power Revolution, Aquino presidency
- 1987 Constitution: Restored democracy, human rights protection
- Subsequent Presidents: Ramos, Estrada, Arroyo, Aquino III, Duterte, Marcos Jr.
Section 4
Government & Current Events
Philippine Government Structure
Executive
- • President (6-year term)
- • Vice President
- • Cabinet members
- • Enforces laws
Legislative
- • Senate (24 members)
- • House of Representatives
- • Creates laws
- • Bicameral Congress
Judiciary
- • Supreme Court
- • Court of Appeals
- • Regional Trial Courts
- • Interprets laws
Local Government Units (LGUs)
Hierarchy: Region → Province → City/Municipality → Barangay
- Governor: Head of province
- Mayor: Head of city/municipality
- Barangay Captain: Head of barangay
Current Events Tips
Areas to Review
- • Major government policies and programs
- • International relations (ASEAN, bilateral relations)
- • Economic developments
- • Health policies and initiatives
- • Environmental issues and climate change
- • Technology and innovation
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