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B.1 Individual differences - Coggle Diagram
B.1 Individual differences
Personality: The relatively stable and enduring aspects of individuals which distinguish them from other people, making them unique but at the same time permit a comparison between individuals
Bandura's Social Learning Theory
Emphasises the importance of observing, modelling and imitating the behaviours, attitudes and emotional reactions of others
Elements of Bandura's theory
Attention
The degree to which we notice the behaviour
A behaviour must grab our attention before it can be imitated. Considering the number of behaviours we observe and do not imitate daily indicates attention is crucial in whether a behaviour influences imitation.
Retention
How well we remember the behaviour
We cannot perform the behaviour if we do not remember the behaviour. So while a behaviour may be noticed, unless a memory is formed, the observer will not perform the behaviour. And, because social learning is not immediate, retention is vital to behaviour modelling.
Reproduction
The ability to perform the behaviour
This is the ability to reproduce a behaviour we observe. It influences our decision about whether to try performing the behaviour. Even when we wish to imitate an observed behaviour, we are limited by our physical abilities.
Motivation
The will to emulate the behaviour
The mediation process is referred to as vicarious reinforcement. It involves learning through observing the consequences of actions for other people, rather than through direct experience.
Rewards and punishments
In addition to the behaviour, rewards and punishments that follow will be studied by the observer.
If the observer perceived the rewards to be greater than the costs (punishment) they will most likely imitate the behaviour. If, however, the vicarious reinforcement is not valued enough by observers, they will not model the behaviour.
Key assumptions about social learning theory
People learn through observation. Learners can acquire new behaviour and knowledge by merely observing a model.
Reinforcement and punishment have indirect effects on behaviour and learning. People form expectations about the potential consequences of future responses based on how current responses are reinforced or punished.
Mediational processes influence our behaviour. Cognitive factors that contribute to whether a behaviour is acquired or not.
Learning does not necessarily lead to change. Just because a person learns something does not mean they will have a change in behaviour.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
One of the primary strengths of social learning theory is its flexibility in explaining the differences in a person’s behaviour or learning i.e. when there is a change in a person’s environment, the person’s behaviour.
An additional strength of the social learning theory is that it allows for different ways of learning. A person can learn through observations or direct experience.
Weaknesses
It neglects the importance of accountability in one’s actions. By placing greater weight on the environment, the theory assumes one’s behaviour and actions are determined by society, not by how a person handles or processes information.
The social learning theory further ignores the ordinary developmental milestones. Although children do not mature at identical rates, some normal milestones may still occur irrespective of the environment setting.
The theory further fails to account for all behaviour, more specifically in the case when there is no apparent role model for the observer to emulate.
Trait Vs State theory
Traits and states are among the most important concepts in personality theory and research.
Traits are characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that generalise across similar situations, differ systematically between individuals, and remain rather stable across time.
States are characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving in a concrete situation at a specific moment in time.
The Interactionist approach to personality
The interactionist approach is a mixture of traits and social learning theory
States that behaviour is a function of personality and environment, demonstrated by the following equation: b=f(pe)
b= behaviour
f=function
p=personality trait
e=environment
Suggests that we base our behaviour on inherent traits that we then adapt to the situation we are in
Our behaviour changes as a result of manipulation on the environment
An example might be a boxer who may show violent/aggressive behaviour when fighting in a ring however is not that way inclined when going about everyday activities.
Issues associated with the measurement of personality
Interviews
Are they reliable and valid in each case?
Are they of value in assessing a person’s sporting ability?
Questionnaires
There are lots of different tests - which is most reliable?
Are these appropriate for the results the researcher wants to gain
Observing behaviour
Difficult to remain unobtrusive which will affect behaviour
Secret observation is unethical
Issues in personality research and sports performance
Athletes Vs Non-athletes
May discourage non-sportspeople from attempting sports that don’t ‘fit’ their personality
Personality and sport type
If a personality is assigned to a sport, those not demonstrating will be less likely to take up the sport as they do not think that they suit the stereotype of the type.
Predicting performance
Implications of predicting performance, rather than it being a natural progression and taking into consideration environmental factors.