1. I CAN Explain the social cognitive premise in regard to personality
Explain Bandura’s contribution to this field
Explain Rotter’s contribution to this field

2. Social Cognitive View
Observational learning is central to personality development
Posits that the survival of humanity is dependent upon the replication of the actions of others

3. Albert Bandura Personalities are shaped by the interaction with others
A distinctive feature of the human personality is the ability to see the consequences of our behavior
We don’t have to yell ‘fire’ in a crowded theater to know what would happen if we did
People are not just driven by inner forces or environment influences……..but also by our expectations of how our actions might affect other people, the environment, and ourselves.

4. Reciprocal Determinism
Process in which the person, situation and environment mutually influence each other
Example:
If you like music, your interest (a cognition) might lead you to spend time at concerts (environment) interacting with other music fans (behavior)
Cognition
Environment
Behavior

5. Julian Rotter’s Social Learning Theory
Behavior function is related to our sense of personal power…or Locus of Control
Rotter suggested that the expected outcome of the behavior had an impact on the motivation of people to engage in that behavior.
If one expects a positive outcome from a behavior then they will be more likely to engage in the behavior.
Rotter rhymes with voter
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

6. Current Trends in Personality Theory
Family Systems Theory: personality is shaped by the way people interact in the family setting first, then in peer groups
Cultural Differences: cultural values and experiences influence behavior
Gender Influences: an increasing appreciation for differences in gender issues
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

7. CAN I Explain the social cognitive premise in regard to personality
Explain Bandura’s contribution to this field
Explain Rotter’s contribution to this field

8. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
I CAN
Explain:
Implicit Personality Theory
Fundamental Attribution Error (on AP a lot)
Cultural evaluations of personality
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

9. Implicit Personality Theories
Assumptions about personality that we build about a person after we know something of their central traits
Believing that a happy person is also friendly
Quiet people are shy
Someone who speaks slowly is slow-witted
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

10. Fundamental Attribution Error
Assumption that another person’s behavior (especially undesirable behavior) is the result of a flaw in the personality, rather than the situation
EX: someone trips you, you assume they hate you (it could have been an accident)
People presume that the actions of others are indicative of the "kind" of person they are, rather than the kind of situations that compels their behavior
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

11. Personality Across Cultures
Assumptions people make vary widely across cultures–depending especially on whether the culture emphasizes individualism or collectivism
Other cultural differences involve
Status of different age groups and sexes
Romantic love
Locus of control
Thinking vs. feeling
Attribution
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

12. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Think about this…..
When you try to understand another person’s actions…. do you consider…
the situation? (as Mischel says)
the person’s inner needs, drives, motives, emotions? (as psychodynamic theories say)
the person’s basic personality characteristics? (as the trait and type theories say)
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

13. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
CAN I?
Explain:
Implicit Personality Theory
Fundamental Attribution Error (on AP a lot)
Cultural evaluations of personality
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007