Social-Cognitive Theories

Module 63

Social-Cognitive Perspective

Views behavior as influenced by the interaction between people’s traits (including their thinking) and their social context.

Behavioral Approach

Focuses on the effects of learning on our personality development.

Reciprocal Determinism

The interacting influences of behavior, internal cognition, and environment.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Personality consists of pleasure-seeking impulses (the id), a reality-oriented executive (the ego), and an internalized set of ideals (the superego).

Psychodynamic Theory

The dynamic interplay of conscious and unconscious motives and conflicts shapes our personality.

Humanistic Theory

If our basic human needs are met, we will strive towards self-actualization. In a climate of unconditional positive regard we can develop self-awareness and more realistic and positive self-concept.

Trait Theory

Scientific study of traits has isolated important dimensions of personality, such as the Big Five traits. (Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Neuroticism, Openness, and Extraversion)

Social-Cognitive Theory

Conditioning and observational learning interact with cognition to create behavior patterns. Our behavior in one situation is best predicted by considering our past behavior in similar situations.