Theories of Personality

[u05d2] Unit 5 Discussion 2

The Construct of Self-Esteem

Social cognitive theory relates to the psychological model of behavior that materialized predominantly by the research of Albert Bandura; originally cultivated highlighting the acquisition of social behaviors. Social cognitive theory suggests that learning occurs in a communal environment and that what is learned by an individual is achieved through observation.

According to Schultz and Schultz, "How well we meet our behavioral standards determines our self-efficacy. In Bandura’s system, self-efficacy refers to feelings of adequacy, efficiency, and competence in coping with life. Meeting and maintaining our performance standards enhances self-efficacy; failure to meet and maintain them reduces it."(p.339) In addition, individuals with low self-efficacy develop a feeling of helplessness, and the feeling they are no longer in control of their lives. And they also hold the belief that any effort that is attempted will only end in failure.

In addition, according to Schultz and Schultz (2006) "Bandura concluded that the following conditions increase self-efficacy: 1.Exposing people to successful experiences by arranging reachable goals increases performance attainment. 2. Exposing people to appropriate models who perform successfully enhances vicarious success experiences. 3. Providing verbal persuasion encourages people to believe they have the ability to perform successfully.(p.339)

Reference

Schultz, Duane P., Sydney Schultz. Theories of Personality, 10th Edition. Cengage Learning, 06/2012. VitalBook file.

Response Guidelines

Read the initial posts of your peers and respond to at least two. Specifically, address each peer's analysis of applying social-cognitive theory to the concept of self-esteem, asking clarifying or discussion-enhancing questions