1. Social-Cognitive Theories

2. Social-cognitive perspective –behavioral approachbehavioral approach

3. Social Cognitive Theory Behavioral approach – We are conditioned to repeat behavior – We learn by observing and imitating Cognitive approach – What we think about our situations affects our behavior – How do we interpret and respond to events?

4. Social Cognitive Theory Trait Theory – We have certain stable, enduring characteristics that influence behavior – Traits are influenced by genetic predisposition Social-cognitive perspective – Behavior is influenced by the interaction of people’s traits (including thinking) and their social context

5. Social-Cognitive Theories Reciprocal Influences Reciprocal determinism

6. Social-Cognitive Theories Reciprocal Influences Ways individuals and the environment interact –Different people choose different environments –You choose the music you listen to, the books you read, the friends you hang with … then these things shape you

7. Social-Cognitive Theories Reciprocal Influences Ways individuals and the environment interact –Our personalities shape how we interpret and react to events –Anxious people are attuned to potentially threatening events, then perceive the world as threatening

8. Social-Cognitive Theories Reciprocal Influences Ways individuals and the environment interact –Our personality help create situations to which we react –How we treat people tend to be the way they treat us back

9. Social-Cognitive Theories Subcategories Personal Control Internal locus of control External locus of control Optimism versus Pessimism Positive expectations often motivate eventual success

11. The Biopsychosocial Approach to the Study of Personality

15. Social-Cognitive Theories Subcategories Excessive Optimism You might think so highly of yourself that you are blind to problems or risks Blindness to one’s own incompetence, like students who are shocked they did poorly on a test

16. Social-Cognitive Theories Reality Testing Situations US Army spy training Business use of simulations

17. Social-Cognitive Theories Evaluating Social-Cognitive Theories Based on research Focuses too much on the situation