Bandura’s Social-Cognitive Theory & Personality Development

What does Bandura's Social-Cognitive Theory emphasize?

The interplay between inner processes and environmental influences on behavior.

What is triadic reciprocal determinism?

The theory that cognition, behavior, and environmental influences interactively determine one another.

What is observational learning?

Learning new responses by watching the performance of others.

What is modeling in Bandura's theory?

The process of learning new behavior by observing others, without needing to perform the behavior.

What is vicarious reinforcement?

The willingness to imitate a model's behavior after observing that the model was reinforced for that behavior.

What are the four steps of social learning theory?

Attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation.

How does Bandura view punishment in relation to behavior acquisition?

He believes punishment does not prevent the acquisition of immoral or illegal behaviors.

What was the focus of Bandura's famous Bobo doll experiment?

It demonstrated that children can learn aggressive behaviors through observation of adults.

What is self-efficacy according to Bandura?

One's belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.

What are efficacy expectations?

Beliefs that individuals can produce certain behaviors, not necessarily tied to actual skills.

What are the four sources of self-efficacy according to Bandura?

Mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and emotional/physiological states.

What are mastery experiences?

Experiences gained when we succeed in a new challenge, reinforcing our belief in our capabilities.

What role do vicarious experiences play in self-efficacy?

They are learned from role models and can enhance belief in one's abilities.

How does verbal persuasion affect self-efficacy?

Encouragement from role models can motivate individuals and help them retain confidence in their abilities.

What impact do emotional and psychological states have on self-efficacy?

Poor health or mental states can hinder confidence and self-efficacy.

What two major life areas does self-efficacy affect?

Career choice/job performance and physical/mental health.

What assessment techniques did Bandura and Skinner rely on?

Experimental techniques to demonstrate how manipulations influence cognitive functioning and responses.

What therapeutic technique is based on Bandura's modeling?

Modeling as a technique has been successful in treating autistic children and reducing fears.

Who were Mary Ainsworth and John Bowlby?

Developers of attachment theory, with Ainsworth known for the Strange Situation assessment.

Who ranked Ainsworth as the 97th most influential psychologist in a 2002 review?

Ainsworth was ranked based on journal citation, textbook citation, and survey response.

What experiment is Ainsworth famous for?

The Strange Situation Experiment.

What does the Strange Situation Experiment assess?

It assesses the early security of attachment by observing how a child responds to separations and reunions with the parent.

Who originally proposed the Attachment Theory?

John Bowlby in the 1950s.

What is the hallmark behavior of attachment according to Bowlby?

Proximity-seeking behavior, where the child seeks contact and maintains proximity with the attachment figure.

What did Bowlby believe about early childhood experiences?

He believed they played an essential role in the development of personality and behavior.

How did Bowlby view the relationship between attachment and survival?

He believed attachment played a critical role in survival by keeping children close to caregivers who can respond to their needs.

What are the five types of behaviors scored in the Strange Situation Experiment?

Proximity-seeking, proximity-avoiding, contact-maintaining, contact-resisting, and search behavior.

What is a secure attachment style?

Children with secure attachment become upset when caregivers leave but are happy upon their return, seeking comfort from them.

What characterizes ambivalent attachment style?

Children display distress when separated but are not reassured by the parent's return and may reject comfort.

What is avoidant attachment style?

Children avoid or ignore the caregiver, showing little emotion when the caregiver departs or returns.

What is the fearful/avoidant (disorganized) attachment style?

Children display a lack of clear attachment behavior, often appearing confused or apprehensive towards the caregiver.

What was Bowlby's view on feeding and attachment?

Bowlby observed that attachment was not merely a learned behavior from feeding relationships, as separation anxiety persisted despite feeding.

What are proximity-seeking behaviors?

Active behaviors such as greeting, approaching, clambering up, reaching, or leaning towards the caregiver.

What are proximity-avoiding behaviors?

Behaviors such as ignoring, looking away, turning away, or moving away from the adult.

What does contact-maintaining behavior include?

Behaviors such as clinging, embracing, and resisting release after gaining contact with the caregiver.

What is the significance of the one-way mirror in the Strange Situation Experiment?

It allows researchers to observe mother-infant interactions without being seen by the participants.

What are the eight episodes in Ainsworth's Strange Situation?

1. Introduction, 2. Alone with mother, 3. Stranger enters, 4. First separation, 5. First reunion, 6. Second separation, 7. Stranger re-enters, 8. Second reunion.

What did Ainsworth conclude about attachment styles?

She identified three main styles of attachment, later adding a fourth: secure, anxious/ambivalent, avoidant, and fearful/avoidant.

How does the child's behavior in the Strange Situation predict their attachment style?

The child's reactions to exploration, separation anxiety, and interactions with caregivers can indicate their attachment style.

What is the role of exploratory behavior in the Strange Situation?

It assesses how much the child explores with or without the mother's presence.

What is stranger anxiety in the context of the Strange Situation?

It refers to the child's behavior in seeking or avoiding contact with the stranger present during the experiment.

What is avoidant attachment?

A style where children avoid parents and caregivers, showing no preference between a parent and a stranger.

What characterizes disorganized attachment?

Children display a lack of clear attachment behavior, often showing confusion or apprehension towards caregivers.

What factors contribute to the development of attachment styles?

Consistency in caregiving, responsiveness to needs, and the presence of neglect or abuse.

How does consistent caregiving affect attachment?

It is more likely to raise securely attached children, while inconsistency is linked to anxious/ambivalent attachment.

What is the impact of neglect and abuse on attachment?

It is linked to fearful/avoidant attachment, leading to confusion in attachment behaviors.

Who was Mary Ainsworth?

A significant figure in developmental psychology known for her research on early childhood attachments.

What is the Strange Situation Assessment?

A tool developed by Mary Ainsworth to explore early childhood attachments.

How do childhood attachment styles influence adult relationships?

They affect adult romantic attachments, with secure styles leading to lasting relationships.

What is existentialism?

A philosophical model emphasizing individual responsibility in creating meaning in life.

Who are some famous existential philosophers?

Nietzsche, Sartre, and Kierkegaard.

What does positive psychology study?

Positive human experiences, including happiness, self-actualization, and virtues.

What is self-determination theory?

A theory stating that real happiness comes from fulfilling intrinsic goals, not just pursuing pleasure.

What are the three fundamental intrinsic goals according to self-determination theory?

Autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

What is the concept of Flow?

A state of being fully engaged in a challenging activity, where time seems to pass unnoticed.

Who developed the concept of Flow?

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

What is the difference between internal and external locus of control?

Internal locus sees self as the main influencer, while external locus attributes power to outside forces.

How is internal locus of control linked to well-being?

It is associated with higher well-being and life success.

What does autonomy refer to in personality psychology?

The freedom from external control or influence; independence.

What is the relationship between flow and personality?

Frequent experiences of flow are positively correlated with an internal locus of control and autonomy.

What does positive psychology complement in research?

The study of personality disorders and personality pathology.

What are some positive personality traits studied in positive psychology?

Courage, compassion, and wisdom.

What is the main focus of personality psychology?

The vast study of personality topics, methodologies, and applications.

What is the significance of phenomenology in existentialism?

It emphasizes that individuals must create their own meaning based on personal experiences.

How does positive psychology view human behavior?

It seeks to understand why and how humans flourish and succeed, not just why they suffer.

What is the role of individual differences in existentialism?

Understanding how individuals face the challenge of creating meaning in their lives.

What is the main challenge existentialists believe individuals face?

Accepting responsibility for their own experiences.

What does the study of individual differences in psychology include?

Affect, behavior, cognition, and motivation as affected by biological causes and environmental events.

Why is personality considered the most important topic in psychology?

It integrates all other areas within the field.

What significant shift has occurred in personality research in the 21st century?

A move beyond the traditional Big Five traits to explore a multitude of new personality traits.

How many new personality traits beyond the Big Five have been identified?

155 traits organized into 10 distinct categories.

What are the five main areas of research in personality sparked by grand theorists?

1. Biological contributions 2. A multicultural perspective 3. The Big Five traits 4. Positive Psychology 5. Personality differences through internet use.

What is behavioral genetics?

The scientific study of the genetic and environmental conditions contributing to behavior expression in personality.

What does quantitative genetics study?

Individual variations in traits and the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors.

What is temperament in the context of personality?

Biologically based individual differences influencing behavioral styles and reactions to the environment.

What are the eight temperaments shared with other primates?

1. Emotionality 2. Fearfulness 3. Activity 4. Nurturance 5. Sociability 6. Impulsivity 7. Aggressiveness 8. Dominance.

What is the interactional temperament model?

A model stating that the environment and temperament traits mutually influence each other.

What is the differential parental investment hypothesis?

The theory that females invest more in offspring due to longer gestation periods compared to males.

What are the Big Five personality traits?

Openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

What is positive psychology?

A science that promotes human strengths and virtues, focusing on positive emotions and optimal functioning.

What are two main aspects of research in positive psychology?

The strength of forgiveness and the strength of self-control.

What are the main areas of personality differences analyzed through internet use?

Internals vs externals, introverts vs extraverts, nonneurotics vs neurotics.

What is operant behavior?

Behavior that operates on the environment.

What is the law of effect according to E.L. Thorndike?

Behavior is determined by its consequences, becoming more probable with positive reinforcers and less probable with punishers.

What is a Skinner Box?

A device used by Skinner to study operant conditioning by having animals press a lever for food.

What does functional analysis of behavior involve?

Identifying environmental conditions that determine if behavior occurs or does not occur.

What is a criticism of Skinner's theory?

Research was primarily conducted on lower animals, and human environments cannot be easily manipulated.

What is the role of the environment in Skinner's behaviorism?

Skinner believed behavior is ultimately conditioned by external events.

What is the significance of understanding personality in education?

Educators can tailor teaching methods to accommodate different personality types.

How can employers use personality assessments?

To enhance team dynamics and improve hiring processes.

What is the importance of personality research in psychology?

It fosters self-awareness, enhances interpersonal relationships, predicts behavior, and promotes mental health.

What is the study of personality primarily concerned with?

The unique set of relationships between behavior and its reinforcing or punishing consequences.

Who developed the concept of classical conditioning?

Ivan Pavlov

What is operant conditioning?

Learning by reinforcement (rewards) and punishment.

What does the three-term contingency in operant conditioning refer to?

The environmental event, the behavior, and the environmental stimuli that follow the behavior.

What is discrimination in the context of behavior?

Responding differently in the presence of certain stimuli and not in others.

What is stimulus control?

The process where a person's response is determined by particular stimuli.

What are prompts in behavioral psychology?

Antecedent events that help initiate responses.

What is a discriminative stimulus?

A stimulus whose presence signals an individual to respond because it has previously led to reinforcing consequences.

What is stimulus generalization?

The process by which behavior reinforced in one situation is repeated in similar situations.