SP - Social-Cognitive Theories Lesson

Learning Targets:

  • Describe the perspective of social-cognitive theorists on personality development and their methods for studying behavior.
  • Identify and discuss the main criticisms of social-cognitive theories.

Courtesy of the AP psychology course and exam description, effective fall 2024. (n.d.). Links to an external site.

 

Social-Cognitive Theories In Social-Cognitive Theory, the interaction between behavior, environment, and personal factors is called reciprocal determinism.

According to social-cognitive theorists, personality development is shaped by reciprocal determinism, which explores the concept of self-concept - how individuals perceive themselves and their interactions with others. Furthermore, self-efficacy and self-esteem play significant roles in shaping one's self-concept. Albert Bandura's social-cognitive perspective on personality underscores the dynamic interplay between our inherent traits and the environments we find ourselves in, illustrating how nature and nurture constantly influence our development.

Understanding Personality Development Through Social-Cognitive Theory

According to social-cognitive theory, our personalities play a crucial role in how we perceive and react to various events in our lives. This theory suggests that an individual's past behaviors in similar situations are the most reliable indicators of their future behavior. Additionally, social-cognitive theorists highlight the significant impact of environmental influences on shaping and reinforcing behavioral patterns and personality traits. Our schemas, memories, and expectations also play a pivotal role in influencing our behavioral patterns by determining how we interpret and respond to external events. For instance, if someone views the world as a threatening place, they are likely to constantly be on the lookout for potential threats and be prepared to defend themselves, illustrating how our personalities directly influence our reactions to different situations.

Behavioral Approach 

The behavioral approach to personality development emphasizes the impact of learning on our behaviors. According to this perspective, we are conditioned to repeat certain behaviors and learn by observing and imitating others. For example, when children grow up watching their parents reward punctuality and responsibility, they are likelier to exhibit these traits. Children with controlling parents learn to follow orders rather than think independently, leading to a more timid and obedient personality.Social cognitive theorists, who align with the behavioral perspective, believe that we also learn behaviors through conditioning and observation, but they place additional importance on mental processes. This means that what we think about a situation greatly influences how we behave in that situation. By focusing on the interaction between individuals and their environment, behaviorism and social cognitive theories explore how we interpret and respond to external events, as well as how our memories, schemas, and expectations shape our behavioral patterns.

 

Please take a minute to watch the video below to learn about Behavioral Theory.

 

Biological Theory

Watch the video below to learn more about Biological Theory.

 

Evaluating Social-Cognitive Theories

Social-cognitive theories of personality in psychology have expanded our understanding of how learning and cognition shape individual behavior within different contexts, highlighting the reciprocal relationship between individuals and their environments. However, these theories have faced criticism for overlooking the significance of unconscious motives, emotions, and biologically driven traits in shaping personality. Critics argue that by focusing primarily on observable behaviors and environmental influences, social-cognitive theories may neglect the complex interplay of internal psychological processes and genetic predispositions that also contribute to individual differences in personality development.

 

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