2. Behavioral Approach to Personality

3. Social Cognitive Theory Says personality is shaped by 3 forces: environmental conditions, cognitive- personal factors, and behavior, which all interact to influence how we evaluate, interpret, organize, and apply information Albert Bandura Julian Rotter Walter Mischel

4. Cognitive - Personal Factors Cognitive - Personal Factors Our beliefs, expectations, values, intentions, and social roles Our emotional makeup and our biological and genetic factors Our beliefs, expectations, values, intentions, and social roles Our emotional makeup and our biological and genetic factors

5. Behaviors & Environmental Factors Personal actions (everything we do and say) Our social, political, and cultural influences, as well as our particular learning experiences Personal actions (everything we do and say) Our social, political, and cultural influences, as well as our particular learning experiences

6. Important Cognitive Processes Language ability – powerful tool for processing and understanding information that influences personality Observational learning – watching, imitating, and modeling Purposeful behavior – setting goals Self-analysis – monitor our own thoughts and actions Language ability – powerful tool for processing and understanding information that influences personality Observational learning – watching, imitating, and modeling Purposeful behavior – setting goals Self-analysis – monitor our own thoughts and actions

7. For each question, choose the answer that best applies to your beliefs. 1.A. Making a lot of money is largely a matter of getting the right breaks. B. Promotions are earned through hard work and persistence. 2.A. Many times the reactions of teachers seem haphazard (unpredictable) to me. B. In my experience I have noticed that there is usually a direct connection between how hard I study and the grades I get. 3.A. The number of divorces indicates that more and more people are not trying to make their marriages work. B. Marriage is largely a gamble. 4.A. It is silly to think that one can really change another person’s basic attitudes. B. When I am right I can convince others.

8. For each question, choose the answer that best applies to your beliefs. 5.A. In our society a person’s future earning power is dependent upon his or her ability. B. Getting promoted is really a matter of being a little luckier than the other person. 6.A. If one knows how to deal with people, they are really quite easily led. B. I have little influence over the way other people behave. 7.A. Sometimes I feel that I have little to do with the grades I get. B. In my case the grades I make are the results of my own efforts; luck has little or nothing to do with it. 8.A. People like me can change the course of world affairs if we make ourselves heard. B. It is only wishful thinking to believe that one can really influence what happens in society at large.

9. For each question, choose the answer that best applies to your beliefs. 9.A. I am the master of my fate. B. A great deal that happens to me is probably a matter of chance. 10.A. It is almost impossible to figure out how to please some people. B. Getting along with people is a skill that must be practiced.

10. Scoring your Locus of Control Give one point for each answer that matches the key 1.A 2.A 3.B 4.A 5.B 6.B 7.B 8.B 9.B 10.A The closer you score to 10, the higher your external locus of control. The closer you score toward 0, the higher your internal locus of control.

11. Locus of Control Our beliefs about how much control we have over situations or rewards Internal – we are in charge External – fate and other people have control Internal locus is correlated with higher achievement, greater physical and mental health Our beliefs about how much control we have over situations or rewards Internal – we are in charge External – fate and other people have control Internal locus is correlated with higher achievement, greater physical and mental health

12. Mischel’s Marshmallow Test: A Study of Impulse Control (Delay of Gratification) To four-year-olds: “If you wait until I return, you can have two marshmallows for a treat. If you can’t wait until then you can have only one—but you can have it right now.” Twelve to fourteen years later… Those who waited for the two marshmallows (65%) were  More socially competent  More self-assertive  Better able to cope with life’s frustrations  More self-reliant and confident  More trustworthy and dependable  Earned 210 points higher scores on SATs Those who waited for the two marshmallows (65%) were  More socially competent  More self-assertive  Better able to cope with life’s frustrations  More self-reliant and confident  More trustworthy and dependable  Earned 210 points higher scores on SATs Those who grabbed and ate the one marshmallow (35%) were  Socially introverted  More stubborn and indecisive  More easily upset by frustrations  More likely to think of themselves as “bad” or unworthy  More likely to overreact to irritations with a sharp temper, so provoking fights and arguments Those who grabbed and ate the one marshmallow (35%) were  Socially introverted  More stubborn and indecisive  More easily upset by frustrations  More likely to think of themselves as “bad” or unworthy  More likely to overreact to irritations with a sharp temper, so provoking fights and arguments

13. Delay of Gratification Voluntarily postponing an immediate reward and continuing to complete some task with the promise of a future reward Being able to delay gratification is correlated with higher intelligence, achievement, and social responsibility Voluntarily postponing an immediate reward and continuing to complete some task with the promise of a future reward Being able to delay gratification is correlated with higher intelligence, achievement, and social responsibility

14. Social Cognitive Theory Self-Efficacy in Action

15. Self-Efficacy Our personal beliefs regarding how capable we are in controlling events and situations in our lives, such as performing or completing specific tasks and behaviors

17. Self-Efficacy cont. Effects on Personality: Research shows that the higher one’s perceived self-efficacy, the greater his or her success Effects on Personality: Research shows that the higher one’s perceived self-efficacy, the greater his or her success

18. Rate yourself using each item below and the following scale: 1 = never; 2 = seldom; 3 = sometimes; 4 = frequently; 5 = always 1.I enjoy watching and participating in competitive sports. 2.My good reputation is very valuable to me. 3.I tend to behave in a rather violent fashion when I get frustrated. 4.I believe that it’s a good idea to just play hookey every now and again. 5.I usually read the sports page of the newspaper. 6.I drink more alcohol than most of my friends. 7.I will stand up and fight for a good idea. 8.I don’t press my views on others unless I think they will be receptive. 9.I do not have a hard time saying no to people. 10.I like to be the leader. 11.I dress in a stylish manner. 12.I would like to have a sports car. 13.I spend more than average on entertainment. 14.If I’m angry at someone I am likely to yell at them. 15.I spend a good deal of time tending to my physical appearance. 1.I enjoy watching and participating in competitive sports. 2.My good reputation is very valuable to me. 3.I tend to behave in a rather violent fashion when I get frustrated. 4.I believe that it’s a good idea to just play hookey every now and again. 5.I usually read the sports page of the newspaper. 6.I drink more alcohol than most of my friends. 7.I will stand up and fight for a good idea. 8.I don’t press my views on others unless I think they will be receptive. 9.I do not have a hard time saying no to people. 10.I like to be the leader. 11.I dress in a stylish manner. 12.I would like to have a sports car. 13.I spend more than average on entertainment. 14.If I’m angry at someone I am likely to yell at them. 15.I spend a good deal of time tending to my physical appearance.

19. Scoring your Need for Power Just add up the values of the 15 items 16-43 = low power need 44-70 = moderate need level 71-80 = very strong need Just add up the values of the 15 items 16-43 = low power need 44-70 = moderate need level 71-80 = very strong need

20. Rate yourself using each item below and the following scale: 1 = disagree completely; 2 = disagree somewhat; 3 = unsure/neutral; 4 = agree somewhat; 5 = agree completely 1.It is more important to be popular than successful. 2.Going to a party or social gathering is my idea of a good time. 3.I enjoy being around other people. 4.I find that talking to other people helps me work through my problems. 5.I am a friendly, people-oriented person. 6.Other people come to me for help in solving their problems. 7.It is important to me that people approve of me and like me. 8.Friends are one of the most important things in my life. 9.I do not like to get into arguments, disagreements, or conflicts with other people. 10.You can usually find me with other people. 1.It is more important to be popular than successful. 2.Going to a party or social gathering is my idea of a good time. 3.I enjoy being around other people. 4.I find that talking to other people helps me work through my problems. 5.I am a friendly, people-oriented person. 6.Other people come to me for help in solving their problems. 7.It is important to me that people approve of me and like me. 8.Friends are one of the most important things in my life. 9.I do not like to get into arguments, disagreements, or conflicts with other people. 10.You can usually find me with other people.

21. Scoring your Need for Affiliation Just add up the values of the 10 items Average for Men = 35-37 Average for Women = 36-38 Just add up the values of the 10 items Average for Men = 35-37 Average for Women = 36-38

22. Analysis of Social Cognitive Theory Pros: Comprehensive – includes more influential factors than other theories Experimentally based – testable concepts, less biased Programs for change – therapies based on these theories Pros: Comprehensive – includes more influential factors than other theories Experimentally based – testable concepts, less biased Programs for change – therapies based on these theories Criticisms: Narrowly defined behaviors (locus of control, etc.) offer only piecemeal explanation of personality Not enough emphasis on genetic factors Criticisms: Narrowly defined behaviors (locus of control, etc.) offer only piecemeal explanation of personality Not enough emphasis on genetic factors