C10- Theories of personality

Question 1

describe social learning theory as an explanation for personality

Answer 1

• behaviour of others being imitated through observation
• new behaviour is acquired but only when it is endorsed through social reinforcement
• most likely to be influenced when you are younger

conditions:
- demonstrated by a significant other
- role model is powerful and authorative
- role model is same gender
- observer wants to adopt the norms and values of a new culture

Question 2

Interactionist theory as an explanation for personality

Answer 2

• shows that there are elements of both trait and social learning that interact to form our personality
• there are some aspects of our personality that are innate and therefore more predictable

Hollanders model:

*Psychological core (most inner part)
^inner core beliefs, values and attitudes - fairly permanent unlikely to change

*typical response
^responses to a situation show our core - different cores will lead to different responses

*Role related behaviour
^shows our actual responses to a situation - most changeable aspect of personality - behaviour will depend on how we feel depending on the situation we are in