Lecture on Social Cognitive and Trait Theories of Personality

Overview

• Continuation from previous lecture on Psychodynamic and Humanistic perspectives.
• Focus on Social Cognitive and Trait theories of personality in this session.

Social Cognitive Theory

• Focus: Interaction of personal factors, behaviors, and environment.
• Key Concept: Reciprocal Determinism (Albert Bandura).
  • Cycle where personal factors, environment, and behavior influence each other.
  • Example: Lily's experience in AP Psychology class shows how changes in her behavior, environment, and personal beliefs affect her performance.
• Self-Efficacy vs. Self-Esteem:
  • Self-Efficacy: Belief in ability to perform specific tasks.
  • Self-Esteem: Overall self-evaluation of one's worth or abilities.
  • Example: Nathan's self-concept includes both self-efficacy and self-esteem.

Key Concepts in Social Cognitive Theory

• Self-Concept: Individual’s self-description and identity formation.
• Assessment Methods: Behavioral observations, situational assessments, questionnaires, interviews, case studies.
• Personality Formation: Interaction between behaviors, beliefs, and environment.

Trait Theories

• Focus: Stable, enduring traits that shape personality.
• Big Five Personality Traits (OCEAN):
  • Openness: Imagination, creativity, curiosity.
  • Conscientiousness: Organization, dependability, discipline.
  • Extraversion: Sociability, enthusiasm, assertiveness.
  • Agreeableness: Trustworthiness, altruism, kindness.
  • Neuroticism: Emotional stability vs. instability.

Understanding Traits

• High vs. Low trait characteristics (e.g., high extraversion = outgoing).
• Applications:
  • Career guidance, teamwork, personal relationships.

Personality Inventories

• Purpose: Measure individual’s position on Big Five traits.
• Method:
  • Specialized questionnaires using Likert scale.
  • Analyzed via factor analysis to ensure accuracy.
  • Results present intensity of traits, providing a personality profile.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to take practice quizzes on social cognitive and trait theories.
• Reminder of the importance of understanding these theories in psychology.

• Recommended Practice: Use the ultimate review packet for quizzes and additional study.
• Lecturer: Mr. Sin