Question 1

In Rotter's theory, a subjective value is

Accepted Answer

In Rotter's theory, a subjective value refers to the worth or importance an individual places on a desired outcome. This concept is part of his social learning theory, which emphasizes the role of reinforcements and the subjective values of outcomes in determining behavior.

Question 2

Albert Bandura's theory emphasizes the importance of an individual's efficacy expectations, by which is meant _____.

Accepted Answer

Albert Bandura's theory, particularly focusing on self-efficacy, emphasizes the importance of an individual's beliefs about their own abilities to perform tasks they set out to accomplish. This concept is central to understanding how people motivate themselves and persist in the face of obstacles.

Question 3

The primary contributors to social-cognitive theory are

Accepted Answer

Albert Bandura, Julian Rotter, and Walter Mischel are key figures in the development of social-cognitive theory, which emphasizes the role of cognitive processes in understanding social behavior.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes Bandura's ideas about the relationship between behavior, cognition, and environment?

Accepted Answer

Bandura's social learning theory, also known as social cognitive theory, posits that behavior, cognition, and the environment are all interrelated and mutually influence each other. This concept is often illustrated with the reciprocal determinism model, highlighting the dynamic interplay among these three factors.

Question 5

In the five-factor model of personality, the extent to which a person is sensitive, warm, and tolerant versus callous, cold, and hostile is captured in which personality factor?

Accepted Answer

The five-factor model of personality, also known as the Big Five, includes agreeableness as one of its dimensions. Agreeableness captures the extent to which a person is cooperative, compassionate, and friendly versus antagonistic and hostile, aligning with the description of being sensitive, warm, and tolerant versus callous, cold, and hostile.

Question 6

Which of the following has NOT been voiced as a criticism of trait theories?

Accepted Answer

Trait theories have been criticized for various reasons, but the claim that traits cannot be measured by psychological inventories is incorrect. In fact, one of the strengths of trait theories is their reliance on psychological inventories, such as the Big Five personality test, to measure traits. These inventories are designed to quantify personality traits in individuals, making trait theories one of the more measurable approaches in personality psychology.

Question 7

An extension of behaviorism that includes roles for internal mental processes and the influences of other people on our behavior is called

Accepted Answer

Social-cognitive theory extends behaviorism by incorporating internal mental processes and the social context in understanding behaviors. It emphasizes the importance of observational learning, imitation, and modeling.

Question 8

Reciprocal determinism

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal determinism is a concept introduced by Albert Bandura which suggests that a person's behavior is influenced by personal factors, environmental factors, and the behavior itself, all of which interact with each other in a reciprocal manner. This means that not only does the environment influence the person, but the person's behavior can also change the environment.

Question 9

Watson and Skinner believed that

Accepted Answer

Watson and Skinner, both behaviorists, believed that personality is shaped by rewards and punishments, emphasizing the role of the environment and learned behaviors rather than unconscious forces or traits.

Question 10

In social-cognitive theory, all but which of the following play a role in explaining personality?

Accepted Answer

Social-cognitive theory emphasizes the role of cognitive processes, such as beliefs about the outcomes of behaviors (expectancies), the value placed on rewards, and self-perceptions in understanding personality. It does not focus on unconscious impulses, which are more central to psychoanalytic theories.

Question 11

Tifara takes a personality test measuring the "Big Five" factors of personality. Results from one of the test's subscales suggest that Tifara is conforming, practical, and conventional. Which factor is being measured with this subscale?

Accepted Answer

Openness is characterized by traits such as imagination and insight, and those high in this trait tend to have a broad range of interests. The description of Tifara as conforming, practical, and conventional suggests a low level of openness, as these traits are opposite to the creativity and willingness to explore new experiences typically associated with high openness.

Question 12

Which type of learning did Bandura emphasize in his social-cognitive theory?

Accepted Answer

Bandura emphasized observational learning in his social-cognitive theory, highlighting the importance of learning through observing others.

Question 13

In social-cognitive theory, expectancies are

Accepted Answer

Expectancies in social-cognitive theory refer to personal predictions about the outcomes of behavior, influencing how individuals approach and engage in different situations.

Question 14

Social-cognitive theorists believe that personality is

Accepted Answer

Social-cognitive theorists argue that personality is shaped by a combination of learned behaviors and cognitive processes, including how individuals perceive and think about themselves and their surroundings.

Question 15

Which of the following students is demonstrating a positive expectancy about schoolwork?

Accepted Answer

Aston demonstrates a positive expectancy about schoolwork by believing that studying will improve his chances of getting a good grade, which aligns with the concept of expectancy theory where effort is linked to performance.

Question 16

An individual's general belief about his or her ability to obtain reinforcements is referred to as

Accepted Answer

Locus of control refers to an individual's belief about the extent to which they can control events affecting them, including obtaining reinforcements.

Question 17

The most widely held view in contemporary psychology is that _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The most widely held view in contemporary...

Question 18

The idea of reciprocal determinism was developed by

Accepted Answer

Albert Bandura developed the concept of reciprocal determinism, which suggests that a person's behavior both influences and is influenced by personal factors and the social environment.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT cited in the text as true of people with an internal locus of control as compared to those with an external locus of control?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT cited...

Question 20

The construct of ______represents the belief that behavior involves an interrelationship between personality traits and situational factors.

Accepted Answer

Interactionism is the construct that suggests behavior is a result of the interaction between personality traits and situational factors.

Quiz 11: Personality