4.5: Social-Cognitive and Trait Theories of Personality

Social-Cognitive Theory

A theory that emphasizes the interaction between personal factors, behavior, and environment in shaping personality.

Unconscious Drives

Instinctual urges, often rooted in early childhood, that influence behavior without conscious awareness.

Reciprocal Determinism

The concept that personal factors, environment, and behavior all influence each other in a continuous loop.

Self-Efficacy

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

Enduring Characteristics

Stable traits or qualities that form the foundation of a person's personality across time and situations.

Big Five Theory of Personality

A trait theory that identifies five major dimensions of human personality.

Openness

A personality trait characterized by imagination, creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to try new things.

Conscientiousness

A trait that describes someone who is organized, responsible, and dependable.

Extraversion

A trait describing people who are outgoing, energetic, and enjoy social interactions.

Agreeableness

A trait associated with being compassionate, cooperative, and trusting of others.

Neuroticism

A trait characterized by emotional instability, anxiety, moodiness, and irritability.

Personality Inventory

A self-report questionnaire used to assess personality traits, often based on standardized questions.

Factor Analysis

A statistical method used to identify clusters of related items on a test.