4.5 Social-Cognitive and Trait Theories of Personality

Explain how the socialcognitive theory of personality defines and assesses personality.

• According to social-cognitive theory, reciprocal determinism shapes personality. Reciprocal determinism explores self-concept (how one views themselves and in relation to others) and how self-efficacy and self-esteem both contribute to self-concept.

Explain how trait theories of personality define and assess personality.

• T rait theories of personality conclude that personality involves a set of enduring characteristics that lead to typical responses to stimuli.
• The Big Five theory of personality proposes that traits of agreeableness, openness to experience, extraversion, conscientiousness, and emotional stability make up one’s personality. These traits are measured by specialized personality inventories that use factor analysis to organize item responses.