Personality Psychology: Social- Cognitive Perspective August 14, 2015

Quiz on Course Intro and Unit 1 1. A major function of the superego is called free association. TRUE/ FALSE 2. According to Freud, which of the following is true of the id? – A. it focuses on how we should behave – B. it is the source of guilt – C. it strives to satisfy basic drives

Quiz on Course Intro and Unit 1 3. Neo-Freudians disagreed with Freud on his theory of defense mechanisms. TRUE/FALSE 4. Which of the following theories offers a special focus on the potential for healthy personal growth? – A. Neo-Freudian – B. Humanistic – C. Psychodynamic

Quiz on Course Intro and Unit 1 5. What do we call the process of fulfilling our potential? – A. Self-actualization – B. Self-concept – C. Unconditional positive regard

Critical Thinking 1. Cite the main difference between the trait and psychoanalytic perspectives on personality. 2. Identify 3-4 key concepts you’ve learned so far in this unit on personality.

Objectives 1. Describe the social cognitive perspective and explain how reciprocal determinism illustrates the perspective. 2. Discuss the effects of a perception of internal or external control, and describe the concept of learned helplessness. 3. State the major criticism of the social- cognitive perspective.

Social-Cognitive Perspective Albert Bandura  Personality is: The result of an interaction that takes place between a person and their social context, involving how we think about ourselves and our situations. Questions raised in this perspective: How do the personality and social environment mutually influence each other? How do our memories, expectations, schemas, influence our behavior patterns? How do we interpret and respond to external events? How do those responses shape us?

Reciprocal Influences in Becoming The Kind of Person Who Rock Climbs Avoiding the highway today without identifying or explaining any fear: the “low road” of emotion. Example: a tendency to enjoy risky behavior affects choice of friends, who in turn may encourage rock climbing, which may lead to identifying with the activity. Reciprocal: a back and forth influence, with no primary cause

Reciprocal Determinism: How personality, thoughts, social environment all reinforce/cause each other  Why is Jake a happy, smiley person? He may have started with an “easy” temperament;  He may attract other happy people, and people are more likely to smile when around him, which reinforces his smiles;  His mind fills in the reasons why he’s smiling even if some of it was a reflection of his happy friends, and these happy reasons give him more reason to smile.

Reciprocal Determinism Three ways individuals and environment interact: Different people CHOOSE different environments Personalities SHAPE how we interpret and react Personaliti es CREATE situations to which we react

Biopsychosocial Approaches to Personality

Personal Control: Learned Helplessness Uncontrollable bad events Perceived lack of control Generalized helpless behavior

Personal Control: Internal & Eternal Locus of Control Internal Locus of Control Control your own destiny External Locus of Control Outside forces determine your fate

How do you explain the following quote? “The average college students in 2002 had a more external locus of control than 80% of college students in the early 1960s.” Tyranny of choice

Evaluating the Social-Cognitive Perspective  The social-cognitive perspective on personality helps us focus on the interaction of behaviors, thoughts, and social situations.  This focus, though, may distract us from noticing an individual’s feelings, emotions, inner qualities.  Critics note that traits may be more a function of genetics and upbringing, not just situation.  Example of two people with different reactions in the same situation: Two lottery winners sharing a jackpot; one sobbed, the other slept.

Homework ½ page notes summary Bring text book to class on M/T