PERSONALITY THEORY WRITE-UP

Perspective Learning Theories

Theory Social Cognitive Theory
Proponent(s) Albert Bandura
Year of first Publication 1977

Theory Overview
According to Bandura, It explains that human behavior in terms of a three-way, complex,
reciprocal model in which personal factors, environmental influences, and actions interact
continuously (Glanz,2001). A basic statement is that people learn not only through their own
experiences, but also by observing the actions of others and the results of those actions

Personality Description
Bandura's theory presents the fact that human behavior is not created and developed by the
environment. But rather that human’s personality and behaviors are directly related to what
they interact with. So basically, human behaviors and personalities are developed over time
by their experiences (Grady,2012). And also Self-efficacy can give factors to why people’s
belief are capable of performing those behaviors which can produce desired outcomes in a
particular situation.

Personality Dynamics
According to Bandura’s concept of reciprocal causation. Human functioning is a product of
the interaction of (B) behavior, (P) person variables, and (E) environment. Bandura uses the
term “reciprocal” to indicate a triadic interaction of forces, not a similar or opposite
counteraction. The three reciprocal factors do not need to be of equal strength or to make
equal contributions (Feist,2008).

Personality Development
According to Bandura, He believes that new behavior/personality are learned through two
main types of learning: reflective learning and enactive learning. Observational learning
allows people to learn without performing a behavior while the enactive learning takes place
when our responses produce consequences.

Concept of Humanity

determinism vs free He believes that people can exercise a large measure of

choice control over their lives.
pessimism vs optimism Because people are capable of learning new behaviors
throughout their lives.
causality vs teleology Either. People move with a purpose toward goals that they
have set, but motivation exists in neither the past nor the
future; it is contemporary.
Self-regulation of actions relies on self-monitoring, judgment,
conscious vs unconscious and self-reaction, all of which are ordinarily conscious during
the learning situation.
biological vs social He believes that behaviors/personalities are based off of
influences what people encounter.
Bandura’s emphasis on uniqueness, however, is moderated
uniqueness vs similarities
by biological and social influences

Personal Insights
In Social Cognitive Theory emphasize humans can learn from each other but also through
observation learning and imitation. The theory also provides a great deal of interpretation
that I am affected and effected by my own interaction to other people by observing their
actions. I conclude that every individual has the free choose to choose what he/she wants to
be and the life that a person wanted to create just like what I wanted to create by
interacting to these I want to specialize with especially my goals in life these things motivate
me to grow in such environment and to become interactive to other people in order to learn.
I typically know what's best for me and will aim for my goals as long as I’ll be in such healthy
environment. As a psychology student, this theory will help me to grow myself to
communicate with others and learn from them so I can improve myself not just my
observing other people’s behaviors but rather to learn how to act from them so they will
become more comfortable with me and gain their trust they can accept me as their friend or
what.

References:

Feist, J. & Feist, G. (2008) Theories of Personality, Seventh Edition [PDF file]. Retrieved from:
https://www.academia.edu/31456078/Feist_-_Theories_of_Personality

Grady, P. (2012) Bandura's Personality Theory. Retrieved from:

https://sites.google.com/site/psychologyofpersonalityperiod8/home/social-learning-theories/bandura-s-
personality-theory

Glanz, K. (2001) Current Theoretical Bases for Nutrition Intervention and Their Uses. Retrieved from:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/social-cognitive-theory