Question 1

Alex's parents enforce strict rules and guidelines in an authoritarian manner.They also tend to be quite overprotective and try to prevent Alex from having to deal with any unpleasant circumstances that might arise.What is Alex likely to develop,according to Bandura

Accepted Answer

According to Bandura's social learning theory, individuals develop self-efficacy beliefs based on their experiences and interactions in their environment. Being raised in an environment with strict rules and overprotective parents can limit opportunities for children to take risks, make mistakes and experience failure, which can lower their sense of self-efficacy. Therefore, Alex is likely to develop low self-efficacy.

Question 2

Daria is typically very perky and upbeat,but today she just got some very bad news about an old friend.She is behaving differently than usual,very distracted and frowning.Everyone around her at work knows that she's having a rough time,and that she can't be expected to be her usual bouncy self.Surely she'll be back to normal once she has a chance to deal with this difficult situation.Which approach is similar to the attitude of Daria's co-workers

Accepted Answer

The answer of Daria is typically very perky and upbeat,but...

Question 3

In explaining behaviour,what is social learning theorist Walter Mischel most interested in

Accepted Answer

Social learning theorist Walter Mischel is most interested in the situation that influences behaviour, rather than unconscious forces, personality traits, or instincts. Mischel believes that people's behaviour is shaped by the specific situational factors that they encounter, and that individuals have the ability to modify their behaviour in response to different situations.

Question 4

Mr.Gorst is a very patient individual who always has time for any questions his students might ask.If his students become more patient as a result of being in Mr.Gorst's class,which concept would be supported

Accepted Answer

Observational learning involves observing and mimicking the behaviors of others. If Mr. Gorst's patient behavior is observed by his students and they begin to exhibit similar behavior, then this would support the concept of observational learning.

Question 5

A child has just been caught stealing from one of his classmates at school.In terms of which of the following would a social cognitive theorist most likely explain this child's behaviour

Accepted Answer

A social cognitive theorist would most likely explain the child's behavior as a result of learning through observation and reinforcement, rather than attributing it to genetics, personality defects, or unresolved conflicts with parents. Social cognitive theory emphasizes the influence of social and environmental factors, particularly the observation and imitation of others' actions and the consequences of those actions (reinforcement), on human behavior. Therefore, this theory suggests that the child may have observed others stealing and received positive reinforcement for stealing, which encouraged the child to engage in the behavior. Alternatively, the child may have learned that stealing is a way to obtain desired objects or attention.

Question 6

Dr.Epee believes that people behave differently across situations because each situation has cues that evoke different responses.Who does Dr.Epee most closely mirror in his views

Accepted Answer

Dr. Epee's belief about the influence of situational cues on behavior align with the situationist perspective on personality, which is commonly associated with Walter Mischel. This perspective argues that behavior is primarily determined by the situation rather than stable personality traits.

Question 7

Which approach to personality stresses the individual's freedom,uniqueness,and growth potential

Accepted Answer

The humanistic approach to personality emphasizes individual freedom, uniqueness, and growth potential. It focuses on the subjective experiences and perceptions of the individual, rather than on observable behavior. The humanistic approach believes that people have an innate desire to reach their full potential and that they can do so when they are allowed to express themselves freely and truthfully.

Question 8

Lacey watches as her grandmother makes cookies.The following week,when Lacey makes cookies,she uses the same bowl and same techniques that her grandmother used.In this example,which term would apply to Lacey's grandmother

Accepted Answer

Lacey's grandmother is serving as a model for her by displaying the same techniques and using the same bowl when making cookies, which Lacey then emulates when making her own cookies.

Question 9

Which term refers to the belief that your behaviour will lead to expected outcomes

Accepted Answer

Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to achieve certain goals or outcomes through their own actions and efforts. It is the belief that one's behavior can lead to expected outcomes. Self-monitoring refers to the process of being aware of and observing one's own behavior, while self-control refers to the ability to regulate one's own behavior and impulses. Self-justification refers to the cognitive process of rationalizing one's own behavior or decisions, often in order to preserve one's own self-esteem or sense of justification.

Question 10

Amy has always done well in her math courses,and even though she has never taken a statistics class before,she is confident she will do well in her statistics course next term.What does Amy show evidence of in this example

Accepted Answer

Amy's confidence despite not having taken a statistics class before shows evidence of high self-efficacy in math, which is the belief in one's ability to succeed in a particular task or subject.

Question 11

Which statement best describes Walter Mischel's belief about the cause of behaviour

Accepted Answer

Walter Mischel believed that behavior is situationally specific, meaning that it is determined by the context and environment in which it occurs rather than by innate or stable personality traits. He argued that people's behavior can vary widely depending on the situation they are in and the goals they are trying to achieve.

Question 12

According to research on Bandura's observational learning theory,which model is most likely to be imitated

Accepted Answer

According to Bandura's observational learning theory, individuals are more likely to imitate a model whose behavior led to a reward. Hence, a celebrity whose behavior led to a reward is the most likely model to be imitated.

Question 13

In so-called copycat crimes,someone replicates a famous crime.For which theory do these crimes provide anecdotal evidence

Accepted Answer

Bandura's social cognitive theory suggests that people can learn and imitate behaviors through observation and modeling. Copycat crimes provide anecdotal evidence for this theory, as individuals may replicate a crime they have seen or heard about in the media or from others. Freud's psychoanalytic theory focuses more on unconscious psychological processes, Skinner's operant conditioning theory emphasizes the role of rewards and punishments in shaping behavior, and Adler's individual psychology emphasizes feelings of inferiority and a desire for personal growth. While these theories may also provide some insights into criminal behavior, they are not as directly relevant to copycat crimes.

Question 14

Which theoretical approach to personality is the least deterministic

Accepted Answer

Humanistic approach to personality emphasizes on the role of personal growth and individual experience in shaping personality. It believes that individuals have the potential for self-determination and change based on their personal choices and experiences. Therefore, it is considered the least deterministic approach, as individuals are seen as active agents rather than purely controlled by unconscious forces or environmental factors. On the other hand, behavioural, psychoanalytic, and Jungian approaches all place varying degrees of emphasis on external factors and unconscious processes in determining personality, making them more deterministic in nature.

Question 15

Rosalind is an impulsive child who seldom waits for her turn when playing with other children.Rosalind's father is also an impulsive individual who often seems to act before he thinks.Which theorist would most likely suggest that Rosalind has learned to be impulsive from watching her father

Accepted Answer

Albert Bandura's social learning theory proposes that individuals learn behavior through observation and imitation of others, particularly those they perceive as role models. Therefore, it is likely that Rosalind learned to be impulsive by observing her impulsive father.

Question 16

Aaron is an extravert who tends to have a high degree of self-efficacy.This week,however,he is not his usual self because his girlfriend ended their relationship.What would someone who takes an interactionist approach to personality suggest about Aaron's current state

Accepted Answer

An interactionist approach to personality suggests that an individual's behavior is a result of both their personal traits and the situation they are currently in. In this case, Aaron's behavior is deviating from his usual self because of the end of his relationship, which suggests that his current state reflects the influence of the current situation.

Question 17

Sol believes it is impossible to do well in calculus class,so he doesn't study much for that class.His lack of preparation has resulted in poor grades.His low grades have strengthened his belief that he can't succeed in that class.Which of Bandura's concepts does this example illustrate

Accepted Answer

Sol's belief that he can't do well in calculus class is influencing his behavior (i.e. lack of preparation), which in turn is leading to poor grades. This is an example of reciprocal determinism, which is the mutual influence of a person's behavior, their environment, and their personal factors (such as beliefs and attitudes).

Question 18

Wanda is very quiet around people in authority,but she can be loud and boisterous among her peers.Who would explain the difference in Wanda's behaviour in terms of situational factors

Accepted Answer

Walter Mischel emphasized the role of situational factors in influencing behavior, particularly through his theory of "person-situation interaction". In this case, the situational factor that likely explains the difference in Wanda's behavior is the presence or absence of people in authority.

Question 19

What is one of Walter Mischel's major points about personality

Accepted Answer

Walter Mischel's major point about personality is that people are less consistent across situations than most theorists have assumed. He argues that people's behavior is not solely determined by their personality traits, but rather by the interaction between their cognitive processes and situational cues. This idea challenges the notion of personality as a stable and consistent set of characteristics.

Question 20

For which of the following have both the psychoanalytic and behavioural theories of personality been criticized

Accepted Answer

Both psychoanalytic and behavioural theories have been criticized for failing to recognize the unique qualities of human behaviour, as they often emphasize deterministic and reductionist views that overlook individual differences and the complexity of human experiences.

Quiz 12: A: Personality: Theory, Research, and Assessment