Socio-cognitive (learning) theories

Question 1

What did Mischel find about the correlation between trait scores and behavior?

Answer 1

Correlations were seldom above 0.30, showing limited predictive power.

Question 2

How did Mischel critique trait assessments?

Answer 2

He argued they over-generalize and assess temporal consistency of prototypical behaviors in specific situations.

Question 3

What are “behavioral signatures” according to Mischel?

Answer 3

Stable patterns of behavior across varying situations that characterize an individual.

Question 4

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 4

Learning through association between a stimulus and a response.

Question 5

What is instrumental (operant) conditioning?

Answer 5

Behaviors are reinforced when followed by rewards or diminished when followed by punishments.

Question 6

What is vicarious conditioning?

Answer 6

Learning behaviors by observing others’ responses to stimuli, such as fear responses in monkeys.

Question 7

What are the core elements of Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory?

Answer 7

Observational learning, competencies and cognitions, goals, and standards.

Question 8

What did Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment demonstrate?

Answer 8

Children imitate behaviors they observe, especially when modeled by adults of the same gender or when behaviors are rewarded.

Question 9

How did gender influence imitative aggression in the Bobo doll experiment?

Answer 9

Boys copied male models’ physical aggression; girls copied female models’ verbal aggression.

Question 10

What condition reduced the imitation of aggression in Bandura’s experiment?

Answer 10

Observing the adult model being punished for aggressive behavior

Question 11

What are the steps in observational learning according to Bandura?

Answer 11

Observation of behavior, potential acquisition of skills, and possibly performance of the observed behavior.

Question 12

How does offering rewards influence observational learning?

Answer 12

Rewards (e.g., stickers or juice) can encourage children to perform behaviors they have observed.

Question 13

What are examples of situation-specific personality characteristics?

Answer 13

Competencies (skills), cognitions (beliefs, self-efficacy), and standards/goals.

Question 14

What is perceived self-efficacy, and what does it influence?

Answer 14

Belief in one’s ability to succeed, influencing goal selection, persistence, mood, and coping strategies.

Question 15

How does self-efficacy impact goal-directed behavior?

Answer 15

It determines the effort, persistence, and performance in pursuing goals.

Question 16

How do person × situation interactions explain behavior?

Answer 16

Behaviors arise from inherited temperaments, personality characteristics, and situational appraisals.

Question 17

Give an example of person × situation interaction in delaying gratification.

Answer 17

US kids delay gratification better with presents; Japanese kids delay better with marshmallows.

Question 18

What regularities influence behavior?

Answer 18

Regularities stem from human nature, personal experience, and situational factors.

Question 19

What are behavioral signatures, and why are they important?

Answer 19

Behavioral signatures are consistent patterns of behavior across contexts, revealing individual characteristics.

Question 20

What is the role of self-regulation in behavior?

Answer 20

Self-regulation allows individuals to choose and pursue goals, balancing situational and personal influences.