Unit4.3Overview of Humanistic and Social-Cognitive Theories

Self-Actualization

Being the best person you are capable of being.

Self-Concept

Mental representation of who we think we truly are.

Incongruence

Discrepancies when self-concept and actual thoughts don't align.

Conditions of worth

Other people's evaluations of our worth.

Unconditional positive regard

Being loved no matter your failures.

Social-Cognitive Theories

Cognition constructs the basis of personality.

Self-efficacy

A person's belief to succeed in a task.

Big Five personality traits

Five broad dimensions to describe human personality.

Openness

Open to change?

Conscientiousness

Organized and attention to detail?

Extraversion

Energized by others?

Agreeableness

Interested in and do you care about others?

Neuroticism

Anxious, stressed, or emotionally unstable?

Nomothetic analysis

Traits like the Big Five, universal.

Idiographic analysis

Unique traits of an individual, like curiosity or openness.

Cardinal Traits

Traits that override a person's whole being.

Central Traits

Primary characteristics of a person.

Secondary Traits

Traits that constitute interest.

16 source Traits

Basis of personality, by Raymond Cattell.

Surface Traits

Traits already seen in an individual.

Persuasion

The process by which a person can influence the attitudes of others.

Elaboration Likelihood Model

Explains how people process persuasive messages and change their attitudes.

Central route

Uses facts and information to persuade potential consumers.

Peripheral route

Relies on more superficial cues like emotions, celebrity endorsements, or attractiveness.

Conformity

Modification of behavior to make it agree with that of a group.

Obedience

Compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another's authority.

Compliance

When a person agrees to a request made by someone else, especially a friend or peer, even if they don't have to.

Collectivist culture

Needs of society are placed before needs of an individual.

Individualist cultures

Promoting personal needs over the needs of a society.

Groupthink

A group prioritizes harmony and conformity over critical thinking and reality testing, leading to flawed decision-making.

Mindguard

A group member who takes action by criticizing members of the group who do not agree with the rest.