 This perspective combines the importance of the environment with cognitive processes.

 Personality is a result of the interrelations between › Personal factors (traits) › Environment › Behavior

 Reciprocal determinism – each of the following three factors influence the other two factors in a continuous fashion. › Your environment influences you and you influence your environment. › Ex. Child hates school and so she misbehaves in class. (Traits affect behavior) › Child’s behavior forces the change to a more restrictive environment (Behavior affects environment.) Restrictive environment frustrates the child. (Environment affects traits)

 EX. Brad is a friendly person. This personality trait influences Brad in that he talks to a lot of people. It influences the environment into which he puts himself in that he goes to a lot of parties. Brad’s talkative behavior affects his environment in that it makes parties even more partylike. I

 In addition, Brad’s talkativeness reinforces his friendliness:the more he talks the more friendly he thinks he is. Finally, the environment of the party reinforces Brad’s outgoing nature and encourages him to strike up conversations with many people

 Self-efficacy – sense of self, judgment of your own ability › High self-efficacy = creates optimism about your abilities. › Self Efficacy - YouTube Self Efficacy - YouTube › Low self- efficacy = creates a sense of powerlessness › SELF-EFFICACY,Albert Bandura - YouTube SELF-EFFICACY,Albert Bandura - YouTube 

 Locus of Control – an individual’s perception about the main causes of life events › Internal locus of control – behavior is guided by decisions and efforts  Self-determination, hard-work leads to success. › External locus of control – behavior is determined by fate, luck, and other external circumstances. › Those who have an internal locus of control tend to lead healthier, happier lives. › STUDY WITH NURSING HOME PATIENTS. › 2007 FREE RESPONSE- Locus of Control

 Those with an external locus of control may develop what Seligman called Learned Helplessness.

 Barnum Effect – People have the tendency to see themselves in vague, stock descriptions. › PT Barnum said – “A sucker is born every minute” › People are gullible enough to believe that a specific personality description is unique to themselves.

 Spotlight Effect – overestimating that others are noticing and evaluating us. (as if a spotlight is shining on us)  Self-Serving Bias – We tend to perceive ourselves as favorable

 Individualism – giving priority to your own goals over the group goals, Defining your identity in terms of your personal attributes rather than the group’s identifications  Collectivism – giving priority to the goals of the group, defining your identity in the group