AP Psychology - Unit 4.6b Social-Cognitive Theories

Social-Cognitive Theory

• focuses on how a person’s behavior is influenced by the interaction between their personal factors and their environment

• emphasizes the role of cognition on personality

• assess behaviors by observing subjects in realistic situations

Reciprocal Determinism

created by Albert Bandura

discusses the cycle that is created between an individual’s personal factors, social context, and behaviors

• each factor acts as an interlocking determinant of each other

the idea that behavior emerges from the interplay of external and internal influences

Objective Tests

• uses a select group of answers that produce specific responses

Criticism of Social-Cognitive Theory

fails to appreciate people’s inner traits