Exam 1 - Theories

Question 1

Explain Social Cognitive Theory.
What are the two core principles?
(M)

Answer 1

-Based on the premise that our perceptions about our ability to be successful impacts our behavior.

Core Principles

1) Self-Efficacy: belief in self to be successful at a specific task given possessed abilities and the uniqueness of the situation (narrow + task specific).
2) Reciprocal Determinism: the interaction and relationship b/w person, environment, and behavior.

Ex:
Going into the gym - I have failed a 36’’ box jump in the past - So I attempt 30’’ box jumps for 2 reps and also worked on other explosive exercises - This increases my self-efficacy allowing my perceptions of achieving my goal to be more likely.

Question 2

Explain the Theory of Planned Behavior.

What are the three primary aspects of intention? (SAP
M)

Answer 2

-Based on the premise that intention drives behavior.

Primary aspects of intention:

1) Subjective Norm: perceptions about and motivation to comply with expectations of others.
2) Attitude: beliefs about and evaluation of anticipated consequences of actions.
3) Perceived Control: perceptions about how much personal control exists for engaging in a behavior.

Ex:
My intentions in the gym on Monday was quite low during my squat session. I believe that my intention was low b/c I had a bad day which lead to me having a bad attitude toward exercise.
The following day, I had a great day at school; therefore I had a great attitude and high intentions toward obtaining my PR on the back squat.

Question 3

Explain Self-Determination Theory.

What are the three innate psychological needs? (SCR)

(M)

Answer 3

• Based on the premise that we possess three innate psychological needs and that we *seek out opportunities to meet these needs.
• -Self-Determination: autonomy; in control
• -Competence: mastery; effective
• -Relatedness: socially involved & satisfied

-Designed to better explain affective and cognitive aspects of motivation and behavior.

Ex: Personal training group session - Personal trainer who has autonomy over the group session (self-determination) - The group experiences relatedness, being socially involved with others - The personal wants to help the group feel a sense of competence or mastery over the trained exercises of the group session.
All of the three innate psychological needs are met in this exercise group session.

Question 4

Explain the Stimulus-Response theory.

Answer 4

• Used to explain how behavior is driven through consequences and rewards.
• This theory suggests an explanation for how people learn new behaviors.
• Based on the premise that consequences have a greater impact on behavior than do antecedents; also identifies events that can follow a behavior and the effects these events will have on future behavior.

Ex: I was experiencing some knee pain and was informed that exercise can help cure some of the pain and make me feel better. So the next day I went to the gym and performed some leg exercises and my knee felt a little better. This was through “negative reinforcement” -taking away something negative which leads to something positive.

Question 5

Explain the Transtheoretical Model.

M

Answer 5

• Assumes that behavior change occurs over time and involves many steps.
• Integrative approach that pulls together concepts from a variety of theories to explain behavior.
• Stages of Change – level of readiness
• Processes of Change – intervention techniques

Ex: Take someone briefly through the stages –> PCP-AM