BEHAVIORAL & SOCIAL LEARNING THEORIES IN RELATION TO PERSONALITY

Behavioral & Social Learning Theories In Relation To Personality

Behavioral & Social Learning Theories In Relation To Personality

Introduction

Social Learning and Social Cognitive theories accept and expand on conditioning principles.  Social Learning emphasizes the particularly power of learning through social rewards and punishments, including vicarious reinforcements and modeling.  Social Cognitive theories build on behavioral theories and show that  people's cognitive processes influence and are influenced by behavioral associations.  Conditioning theories assume direct connection between behaviour and learning whereas Cognitive theories allow for the learning process to be modified by cognitions. (Boeree, 2006)

Compare And Contrast The Behavioral And Social Learning Approaches To Personality

The behaviourist approach views personality as a pattern of learned behaviors acquired through either classical (Pavlovian) or operant (Skinnerian) conditioning and shaped by reinforcement in the form of rewards or punishment. A relatively recent extension of behaviourism, the cognitive-behavioral approach emphasizes the role cognition plays in the learning process. (McCrae, 1997)Cognitive and social learning theorists focus not only on the outward behaviours people demonstrate but also on their expectations and their thoughts about others, themselves, and their own behavior. For example, one variable in the general theory of personality developed by social learning theorist Julian B. Rotter is internal-external orientation. "Internals" think of themselves as controlling events, while "externals" view events as largely outside their control. Like phenomenological theorists, those who take a social learning approach also emphasise people's perceptions of themselves and their abilities (a concept called "self-efficacy" by Albert Bandura). Another characteristic that sets the cognitive-behavioral approach apart from traditional forms of behaviourism is its focus on learning that takes place in social situations through observation and reinforcement, which contrasts with the dependence of classical and operant conditioning models on laboratory research. (Eysenck, 1992)

Two Characteristics From The Behavioral theory with which I agree & Disagree

Behavioral theories suggest that personality is a result of interaction between the individual and the environment. Behavioral theorists study observable and measurable behaviors, rejecting theories that take internal thoughts and feelings into account. (Cattell, 1965)

I agree with following 2 characteristics:

Cardinal Traits: Traits that dominate an individual's whole life, often to the point that the person becomes known specifically for these traits. People with such personalities often become so known for these traits that their names are often synonymous with these qualities. Consider the origin and meaning of the following descriptive terms: Freudian, Machiavellian, narcissism, Don Juan, Christ-like, etc. Allport suggested that cardinal traits are rare and tend to develop later in life.2

Central Traits: The general characteristics that form the basic foundations of personality. These central traits, while not as dominating as cardinal traits, are the major characteristics you might use to describe another person. Terms such as intelligent, honest, shy and anxious are considered central traits.

I disagree with following 2 characteristics:

Secondary Traits: Traits that are sometimes related to attitudes or preferences and often appear only in certain situations or under specific circumstances. Some examples would be getting anxious when speaking to a group or impatient ...