Social-Cognitive Theories

Social Cognitive Theory

• Behavioral approach– We are conditioned to repeat behavior– We learn by observing and imitating

• Cognitive approach– What we think about our situations

affects our behavior– How do we interpret and respond to

events?

Social Cognitive Theory

• Trait Theory– We have certain stable, enduring

characteristics that influence behavior– Traits are influenced by genetic

predisposition

• Social-cognitive perspective– Behavior is influenced by the interaction

of people’s traits (including thinking) and their social context

Social-Cognitive Theories

Reciprocal Influences

• Reciprocal determinism

Social-Cognitive Theories

Reciprocal Influences

• Ways individuals and the environment interact– Different people choose different

environments–You choose the music you listen to, the

books you read, the friends you hang with … then these things shape you

Social-Cognitive Theories

Reciprocal Influences

• Ways individuals and the environment interact– Our personalities shape how we interpret

and react to events–Anxious people are attuned to potentially

threatening events, then perceive the world as threatening

Social-Cognitive Theories

Reciprocal Influences

• Ways individuals and the environment interact– Our personality help create situations to

which we react–How we treat people tend to be the way

they treat us back

Social-Cognitive Theories

Subcategories

• Personal Control• Internal locus of control• External locus of control

• Optimism versus Pessimism• Positive expectations often motivate

eventual success

The Biopsychosocial Approach to the Study of Personality

Social-Cognitive Theories

Subcategories

• Excessive Optimism• You might think so highly of yourself

that you are blind to problems or risks• Blindness to one’s own incompetence,

like students who are shocked they did poorly on a test

Social-Cognitive Theories

Reality Testing Situations

• US Army spy training• Business use of simulations