Social-Cognitive Theories

Social Cognitive Theory Social-cognitive perspective Behavior is influenced by the interaction of people’s traits (including thinking) and their social context Just like Nature & Nurture work together, so do individuals and their situations. 11.11 How do Mischel and Bandura address the situation– trait debate?

Social Cognitive Theory Behavioral approach We are conditioned to repeat behavior We learn by observing and imitating (this is the social part) Cognitive approach What we think about our situations affects our behavior How do we interpret and respond to events? 11.11 How do Mischel and Bandura address the situation– trait debate?

Social Cognitive Theory Instead of focusing solely on how the environment controls us (as the behaviorists do), social-cognitive theorists focus on how we develop by interacting with the environment. 11.11 How do Mischel and Bandura address the situation– trait debate?

Reciprocal Determinism The interaction of behavior, internal cognition and the environment

Reciprocal Determinism Do you control your environment or does your environment control you? Does it simply depend on the situation? Or is there more to it than that?

Reciprocal Determinism Do you control your environment or does your environment control you? Does your personality shape how you interpret and react to events or do events shape your personality?

Reciprocal Determinism Do you control your environment or does your environment control you? Does your personality shape how you interpret and react to events or do events shape your personality? The answer: Behavior emerges from the interplay of external and internal influences! YES!

Reciprocal Influences Individuals and the environment interact in a reciprocal relationship Different people choose different environments Example: You choose the music you listen to, the books you read, the friends you hang with … then these things shape you!

Reciprocal Influences Individuals and the environment interact in a reciprocal relationship Our personalities shape how we interpret and react to events Example: Anxious people are attuned to potentially threatening events, then perceive the world as threatening!

Reciprocal Influences Individuals and the environment interact in a reciprocal relationship Our personality help create situations to which we react Example: How we treat people tends 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