The Social-Cognitive Perspective of Personality

Social Cognitive Theory Our personality is how we INTERPRET and RESPOND TO external events. Our personality is how we INTERPRET and RESPOND TO external events. Reciprocal Determinism: the interacting influences between behavior, thoughts & environmental factors. Internal Cognitive Factors Behavior Environmental Factors

Reciprocal Determinism  Self-fulfilling prophecies are perfect examples of reciprocal determinism.  prediction that causes itself to come true due to the simple fact that the prediction was made For example, if a woman thinks that her boyfriend will leave her for another woman, she will act in ways that will directly or indirectly cause her belief to come true. She might get jealous easily and make a fuss about him being friends with other women. She might pick fights whenever she suspects that he is cheating on her, or she might go through his personal things to look for evidence of cheating. Eventually, her actions will put a strain on their relationship, and her boyfriend just might leave her, causing her prediction to come true.

Personal Control Our sense of controlling our environment rather than the environment controlling us. Our sense of controlling our environment rather than the environment controlling us.

External (Attribution) Locus of Control The perception that chance or outside forces beyond one’s personal control determine one’s fate. The perception that chance or outside forces beyond one’s personal control determine one’s fate. Can be both healthy and unhealthy Can be both healthy and unhealthy

Internal (Attribution) Locus of Control The perception that one controls one’s own fate. The perception that one controls one’s own fate.

External vs. Internal You did well on a test, how would you explain it? You did well on a test, how would you explain it? External: you got lucky, the teacher made an easy test External: you got lucky, the teacher made an easy test Internal: your hard work, good study habits, and interest in the topic Internal: your hard work, good study habits, and interest in the topic

Identify each statement below as being indicative of either an internal locus of control (ILC) or an external locus of control (ELC): I’ll never be a good writer. I have to practice so I can get better. I probably could have prevented that. It’s not my fault. It’s fate! Those with strong ILC tend to do better in school, act more independently, enjoy better health, feel less depressed, and cope better with stress. Why?

Please follow my directions. Learned Helplessness Learned Helplessness When you cant avoid a bad situation, when the opportunity comes to leave, you don’t. When you cant avoid a bad situation, when the opportunity comes to leave, you don’t. Not doing the extra credit because you think, “what’s the point, I’m just going to fail the next test anyways.” Not doing the extra credit because you think, “what’s the point, I’m just going to fail the next test anyways.”

Intrinsic Motivation You do something simply for the sake of doing it You do something simply for the sake of doing it The work in itself brings enjoyment The work in itself brings enjoyment You enjoy a task more if you’re intrinsically motivated to do it You enjoy a task more if you’re intrinsically motivated to do it Want to be successful? Having intrinsic motivation will get your further! Want to be successful? Having intrinsic motivation will get your further!

Extrinsic Motivation We do the behavior for the end reward We do the behavior for the end reward Grade, salary, get Mom off your back Grade, salary, get Mom off your back Why less successful if only extrinsically motivated? Why less successful if only extrinsically motivated? You get bored! Enjoyment decreases You get bored! Enjoyment decreases Think about it, if you’re only taking this class to get the credit, class can never end soon enough! Think about it, if you’re only taking this class to get the credit, class can never end soon enough!

Self-efficacy The belief that you are likely to be successful at something If I believe I am likely to be successful in math, I may choose to take more math classes, and actually become a better math student. Self-efficacy is a powerful determinant of future success, but… …be wary of overconfidence. It can lead students to perform lower (“I don’t need to study”) and may encourage unwise risks (“I can drive on ice.”)