Psychology of Personality: Social-Cognitive Theory

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on social-cognitive theory in psychology, focusing on human agency, self-efficacy, goal-setting, and personality as a cognitive-affective processing system.

human agency

Humans are active thinkers and not passive receivers of environmental input.

How are traits and competencies different?

skills and can be acquired through social observation

How is self-efficacy different from self-esteem?

Self-efficacy is specific to abilities and predictions of performance in an specific area (very context specific)

How do we develop self-efficacy?

past experiences and social support (eg Teachers’ encourgemnet & realistic feedback)

What is the distinction between proximal and distal goals?

Proximal goals are short-term and concrete; distal goals are long-term and abstract.

How does the CAPS model define personality?

Personality as a cognitive-affective processing system where cognitive-affective units (CAUs- competencies, expectation and belief, evaluative standards, goals) lead to behavior.

reciprocal determinism

Behavior, personal factors, and environmental influences mutually shape each other.

What are implicit theories?

• Incremental Theory - intelligence can be improved by training (brain as a muscle).

• Entity Theory - Intelligence is fixed (genetic constraints).

• Differing theories lead to distinct goal orientations:

• Incremental theorists pursue learning-enhancing goals.

• Entity theorists gravitate toward performance-driven goals.

What does regulatory focus theory explain in goal-setting?

• Differentiates how goals frame emotional responses based on motivation:

• Promotion-focused Ideal Self - aspirations (X → disappointment)

• Prevention-focused. Ought Self- obligations (I should) (X→ anxiety, guilt and shame)

KAPA model’s approach

• bottom-up (think what describes you)→ find the scenarios that support it (context-specific)

• individual-based analysis

Self-referent cognitive processes

CEEG - competencies, expectation and belief, evaluative standards, goals

How does self-concept affect our behaviours?

• Self-enhancement motives - seeking to validate a positive image.

• Self-verification motives - seeking confirmation even of negative attributes for authenticity.

What does the Marshmallow Test measure?

Self-control, predicting future success and well-being based on the ability to delay gratification.

What is critiqued in the nomothetic approach?

Traditional nomothetic sweeping generalizations overlook the nuanced realities of individual variability across contexts.

What is the effect of deindividuation?

Low self-awareness leads to lower evaluative standards.(moral disengagement) → Convincing oneself that ethical standards don't apply in certain situations.

internal reinforcers of evaluative standards

Self-evaluative reactions like pride and guilt,

How do goals affect motivation?

Long-term, abstract goals can demotivate; lower self-efficacy beliefs lead to lower goal setting.

What are the impacts of enhanced self-efficacy?

Individuals with strong self-efficacy:

• Challenge themselves with more difficult tasks.

• Show persistence in their efforts.

• Experience less anxiety during performance.

• Organize thoughts better.

• Exhibit improved overall performance.

What example is provided for self-efficacy?

The Elephant and the Rope - An adult elephant's refusal to break free from a small rope due to past conditioning.