Theoretical Foundations of Health Education – Key Vocabulary

This set of flashcards reviews core vocabulary from Chapter 7—covering psychodynamic, trait, behaviorist, and especially Social Cognitive Theory concepts, constructs, limitations, and health promotion applications.

Psychodynamic Theory (Freud)

Explains behavior as the result of dynamic interplay among id, ego, and superego, with motivation rooted in innate drives and psychosexual adjustments.

Id

The instinctual, impulsive component of personality that seeks immediate gratification of basic drives and needs.

Ego

The rational component of personality that mediates between the id, superego, and reality, providing a ‘reality check.’

Superego

The moral component of personality that represents internalized societal standards and ideals.

Limitations of Psychodynamic Theory

Lacks predictive value, is difficult to test empirically, contains inconsistencies, neglects social factors, overemphasizes the unconscious, and is influenced by therapist bias.

Trait Theory

Personality approach that views traits as broad, enduring dispositions that internally determine consistent behavior patterns.

Trait

A stable, enduring disposition to behave in certain ways across time and situations.

Limitations of Trait Theory

Traits weakly predict behavior across settings, offer little behavioral predictability, and averaging traits across situations proves ineffective.

Radical Behaviorism

Behavioral model where situational cues trigger actions and consequences shape future actions; behavior is jointly controlled by genetics and environmental reinforcement.

Operant Conditioning

Learning process in which behavior is strengthened or weakened by its consequences (reinforcers or punishers).

Limitations of Behaviorism

Overlooks cognitive processes, assumes reinforcement must be immediate, underrates self-processes, and treats thoughts as mere by-products.

Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)

Triadic, reciprocal model positing that behavior, personal factors, and environment interact; emphasizes social origins of thought and the causal role of cognition.

Symbolizing Capability

Human ability to use symbols to assign meaning to experiences, guiding future actions (SCT underpinning).

Forethought Capability

Capacity to set goals and regulate behavior through prior thinking and planning (SCT underpinning).

Vicarious Capability

Ability to learn by observing others’ behaviors and the consequences they experience (SCT underpinning).

Self-Regulatory Capability

Skill of setting internal standards and self-evaluations to guide and motivate one’s own behavior (SCT underpinning).

Self-Reflective Capability

Ability to analyze personal experiences and thoughts, enabling self-evaluation and adaptation (SCT underpinning).

Knowledge (SCT Construct)

Understanding of facts and insights related to an action, object, or situation; prerequisite for informed behavior change.

Situational Perception

How an individual interprets environmental contexts, influencing behavior (e.g., misperceiving peer sexual activity rates).

Outcome Expectations

Anticipated consequences of performing a behavior (e.g., feeling more energetic after exercise).

Outcome Expectancies

Personal value placed on anticipated outcomes (e.g., valuing money saved by quitting smoking).

Environment (SCT)

External physical and social stimuli that influence behavior (e.g., availability of parks or social support).

Self-Efficacy

Confidence in one’s ability to perform a specific behavior; considered the strongest predictor of action in SCT.

Self-Efficacy in Overcoming Impediments

Belief in one’s capability to surmount barriers while executing a behavior (e.g., exercising despite bad weather).

Goal Setting / Self-Control

Process of establishing explicit, specific goals and monitoring progress to regulate behavior (e.g., food diaries for diet).

Emotional Coping

Techniques used to manage emotional and physiological states associated with behavior change (e.g., relaxation or yoga).

Applications of SCT in Health Promotion

Includes community heart-health trials, smoking cessation, contraceptive use, stress coping programs, and improved problem solving for chronic disease patients.