Module 47 - Social Cognitive Theories and the Self

social-cognitive perspective

proposed by Albert Bandura

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

emphasizes interaction of traits with situations

applies principles of learning, cognition, and social behavior to personality

observational learning (social learning)

learning by observing others

Albert Bandura

pioneer researcher of observational learning

modeling

bodo doll experiment focused on vicarious reinforcement or vicarious punishment

modeling

process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

reciprocal determinism

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

how individuals and environments interact

different people choose different environments

personalities shape how people interpret and react to events

personalities help create situations to which people react

reciprocal determinism

behavior (learning to rock climb) ←→ environmental factors (rock-climbing friends) ←→ internal personal factors (thoughts and feelings about risky activities)

reciprocal determinism

people aslo experience gene-environment interaction

genetically influenced traits evoke certain responses from others

this may nudge people in one direction or another

behavior emerges from the interplay of external and internal influences

personality

biological influences

psychological influences

social-cultural influences

… all lead to ________

biological influences

genetically determined temperament

autonomic nervous system reactivity

brain activity

psychological influences

learned responses

unconscious thought processes

expectations and interpretations

social-cultural influences

childhood experiences

situational factors

cultural expectations

social support

social-cognitive theorists

build on concepts of learning and cognition

contend that the best way to predict behavior in a given situation is to observe that behavior in similar situations

downplay the importance of unconscious motives, emotions, and biologically influenced traits

social-cognitive theories of personality

sensitize researchers to how situations affect, and are affected by, individuals

build from psychological research on learning and cognition

critics suggest: too much focus on the situation and fail to appreciate the person’s inner traits

psychoanalytic

Key Proponent: Freud

Assumptions: emotional disorders spring from unconscious dynamics, such as unresolved sexual and other childhood conflicts, and fixation at various developmental stages, defense mechanisms fend off anxiety

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

Personality Assessment Methods: free association, projective tests, dream analysis

psychodynamic

key proponent: Adler, Horney, Jung

Assumptions: unconscious and conscious minds interact, childhood experiences and defense mechanisms are important

view of personality: the dynamic interplay of conscious and unconscious motives and conflicts shapes our personality

personality assessment methods: projective tests, therapy sessions

humanistic

key proponent: Maslow, Rogers

assumptions: rather than focusing on disorders born of dark conflicts, it’s better to emphasize how healthy people may strive for realization

view of personality: if our basic human needs are met, we will strive toward self-actualization, in a climate of unconditional positive regard, we can develop self-awareness and a more realistic and positive self-concept

personality assessment methods: questionnaires, therapy sessions, life story approach

trait theory

kep proponent: Allport; Costa; H. Eysenck; S. Eysenck; McCrae

assumptions: we have certain stable and enduring characteristics, influenced by genetic predispositions

view of personality: scientific study of traits has isolated important dimensions of personality, such as the Big Five traits (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism)

personality assessment methods: personality inventories

social-cognitive

key proponent: Bandura

assumptions: our traits interact with the social context to produce our behaviors

view of personality: conditioning and observational learning interact with cognition to create behavior patterns, our behavior in one situation is best predicted by considering our past behaviors in similar situations

personality assessment methods: observing behavior in realistic situations