6.03 Social-Cognitive and Trait theories of Personality

Social-cognitive theory of personality

pioneered by Albert Bandura, offers a comprehensive framework for understanding how individuals develop and express their personalities through the dynamic interplay of cognitive processes, social influences, and behavior. Emphasizes observational learning

Reciprocal determinism

personality is shaped by the dynamic and reciprocal interactions between personal factors and environmental factors and behavior.

Personal factors

Cognitive processes, emotions, and biological influences.

Environmental factors

social interactions, cultural norms, and situational contexts

Cognitive factors

includes cognitive processes, beliefs, attitudes, and biological predispositions that individuals bring to a situation.

Ex) individual’s self-efficacy beliefs can influence how they approach challenges and persevere in the face of obstacles.

Situational factors

Encompass the social, cultural, and situational influences that surround individuals, family dynamics, peer relationships, societal norms, and institutional structures.

Behavior

Refers to the actions and responses individuals exhibit in various situations. Influences personal and environmental factors but also serves to shape and modify those factors over time.

Influences

Reciprocal determinism is centered on the belief that our behavior, cognitive processes, and situational context all influence each other.

Self-concept

made of both self-efficacy and self-esteem. Encompasses beliefs, perceptions, and evaluations of themselves.

Self-efficacy

Confidence in their capabilities to perform certain tasks.

Self-esteem

overall evaluation of their worth and value as a person.

Trait theory of personality

focuses on identifying, describing, and measuring the stable patterns of behavior, thoughts, and emotions that characterize individuals over time and across different situations.

Traits

relatively stable and consistent patterns of behavior, thoughts, and emotions that differentiate one individual from another. Shape how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to their environment,

Trait dimensions

Identify and categorize personality traits along multiple dimensions.

Five Factor Model (FFM)

prominent framework within the trait theory of personality that identifies and categorizes personality traits into five broad dimensions

Acronym) OCEAN

Openness

Dimensions that reflects the degree to which individuals are open-minded, curious, imaginative, and willing to explore new ideas, experiences, and possibilities.

Conscientiousness

refers to the degree of organization, responsibility, diligence, and self-discipline exhibited by individuals.

Ex) reliable, goal oriented and they are planned in their approach to tasks and responsibilities.

Extraversion

reflects the extent to which individuals are outgoing, sociable, energetic, and assertive in their social interactions and emotional expression.

Agreeableness

pertains to the degree of warmth, empathy, cooperation, and compassion individuals exhibit in their relationships with others.

Neuroticism

emotional stability, measures the extent to which individuals experience negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, insecurity, and vulnerability to stress.

Factor analysis

statistical technique used to identify the underlying dimensions or factors that account for the correlations among a set of variables.

Trait theory assessments

1. Self-report inventories

2. Observer ratings

3. Behavioral assessments

Self-report inventories

inventories consist of a series of statements or questions to which individuals respond based on how well each item describes them.

Observer ratings

individuals’ behavior is observed and evaluated by others, such as friends, family members, or trained observers.

Behavioral assessments

some trait theorists employ behavioral assessments to measure specific behavioral manifestations of traits in controlled settings.

Validity

refers to the extent to which a measure assesses what it claims to measure

Reliability

refers to the consistency of results obtained from the measure over time and across different contexts.