Social Cognitive Theory of Personality

Social-Cognitive Theory of Personality Definition

The behaviorism theory of personality believes all behavior and traits are learned through classical and (mostly) operant conditioning. If we behave in a way that reaps the rewards, we are more likely to repeat them. If, however, those behaviors are punished or perhaps ignored, they are weakened, and we are less likely to repeat them. The social-cognitive theory stems from the behaviorist view that behaviors and traits are learned but takes it one step further.

Behaviorism theories of personality believe learning traits is a one-way street - environment affects behavior. However, the social-cognitive theory of personality is similar to the gene-environment interaction in that it is a two-way street. Just as our genes and environment interact to where one can affect the other, so do our personality and social contexts.

Social-cognitive theories of personality also emphasize that our mental processes (how we think) impact our behavior. Our expectations, memories, and schemes can all affect our behavior.

If you have an internal locus of control, you believe that your abilities can impact outcomes in your life. If you work hard, you believe that it will help you achieve your goals. On the other hand, if you have an external locus of control, you believe you have very little control over the outcomes in your life. You see no reason to work hard or give your best effort because you do not think it would make any difference.

Fg. 1 Hard work pays off, Freepik.com

Albert Bandura: Social-Cognitive Theory

Albert Bandura pioneered the social-cognitive theory of personality. He agreed with behaviorist B.F. Skinner's view that humans learn behaviors and personality traits by operant conditioning. However, he believed that it is also influenced by observational learning.

There is a basic process that is required for observational learning to occur. First, you must pay attention to someone else’s behavior as well as the consequences. You must be able to retain what you observed in your memories as you may not need to use it right away. Next, you must be able to reproduce the observed behavior. And finally, you must be motivated to copy the behavior. If you are not motivated, it is unlikely for you to reproduce that behavior.

Reciprocal Determinism

As mentioned earlier, social-cognitive theories emphasize the interaction between personality and social contexts. Bandura expanded this idea with the concept of reciprocal determinism.

This means that we are both products and manufacturers of our environment. Our behavior can impact our social contexts, which can affect our personality traits, our behavior, and so on. Reciprocal determinism says these three factors occur in a loop. Here are some ways reciprocal determinism can occur.

1. Behavior - We all have different interests, ideas, and passions, and therefore, we will all choose different environments. Our choices, actions, statements, or achievements all shape our personalities. For example, someone who likes a challenge could be drawn to CrossFit, or someone artistic could be drawn to a calligraphy class. The different environments we choose shape who we are.

2. Personal factors - Our goals, values, beliefs, cultures, or expectations can all influence and shape the way we interpret our social environment. For example, people prone to anxiety may perceive the world as dangerous and actively look out for threats and notice them more than others.

3. Environment - The feedback, reinforcement, or instruction we receive from others can also impact our personality traits. And our personality traits can influence how we see others and how we believe we are being perceived. This, in turn, can impact how we react to a situation. For example, if you perceive that your friends think you don't talk enough, you may try to start talking more.

Social-Cognitive Theories of Personality: Examples

Bandura and a team of researchers conducted a study called the "Bobo Doll Experiment" to test the impact of observational learning in the absence of direct reinforcement. In this study, children ages 3 to 6 were asked to observe an adult act aggressively either in person, in a live film, or a cartoon.

The children are then prompted to play after a researcher removes the first toy the child picks up. Then, they observed the children's behavior. Children who observed aggressive behavior were more likely to imitate it than the control group. Additionally, the more remote the model for aggression is from reality, the less total and imitative aggression was displayed by the children.

Regardless, the fact that children still imitated aggressive behavior after viewing a live film or cartoon raises implications about the effect of violence in the media. Repeated exposure to aggression and violence can cause a desensitization effect.

This can lead to cognitive, behavioral, and affective consequences. We may notice that our aggression has increased or our desire to help has decreased.

Social Cognitive Theory of Personality, two kids watching tv, StudySmarter

Fg. 2 Kids watching tv, Freepik.com

Social-Cognitive Theory: Applications

The social-cognitive theory can be applied to understand and predict behavior in various settings, from education to the workplace. Another side to the social-cognitive theory we have not yet discussed is what it says about predicting behavior. According to the social-cognitive theory of personality, a person's behavior and past traits are the greatest predictors of their future behavior or traits in similar situations. So if a friend consistently makes plans to hang out but bails at the last minute, this is the greatest predictor of whether or not this will happen again. However, this is not to say that people never change and will always continue the same behavior.

While our past behaviors can predict how well we do in the future, this phenomenon can also impact our self-efficacy or beliefs about ourselves and our ability to achieve the desired outcome.

Social-Cognitive Theory: Advantages and Disadvantages

There are several advantages to the social-cognitive theory. For one, it is grounded in scientific research and study. This comes as no surprise as it combines two of the most scientifically-based fields of study in psychology -- behavior and cognition. Social-cognitive theory research can be measured, defined, and researched with a fair amount of precision. It has revealed how personality can be both stable and fluid due to our ever-changing social contexts and environments.

However, the social-cognitive theory is not without its shortcomings. For example, some critics say that it focuses too much on the situation or social context and fails to acknowledge one's innermost, innate traits. While our environment can influence our behavior and personality traits, the social-cognitive theory downplays our unconscious emotions, motives, and traits that cannot help but shine through.