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Chapter 16: Problem 4

(a) Give an example to support Bandura's argument that self-reinforcement has a strong influence on behavior. (b) According to Bandura, self-standards are usually related to external standards. Is this wise, or should a person's self-standards be entirely independent of environmental influences?

Short Answer

Expert verified
An example supporting Bandura's argument about self-reinforcement influencing behavior could be a student setting a personal reward system based on their exam performance. As for self-standards, while they are often related to external standards, it would be wise to factor in personal experiences, values, and abilities while setting them rather than solely relying on external environmental influences.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Self-Reinforcement

Bandura's theory of self-reinforcement suggests that individuals have the ability to reward or punish themselves based on the outcome of their behavior. This self-regulation process significantly influences behavior. An example of this could be a student setting a personal reward system. If they achieve a high grade on an exam, they might reward themselves with some leisure time or a treat. Conversely, if they perform poorly, they might 'punish' themselves by forgoing a desired activity to study more.
02

Identifying Relation to External Standards

The next part of the exercise focuses on the concept of self-standards which can be considered internal judgements of one’s own behavior, usually related to external standards. Bandura argued that self-standards are most often created based on the standards of society or cultural norms. For example, a person might set their self-standard for academic performance based on the average exam score in their school or the expected performance set by their parents or peers.
03

Should Self-Standards be Independent?

The final part of the exercise asks whether it is wise for one's self-standards to align with external standards, or whether they should be independent of environmental influences. It's a subjective matter and can depend on the individual. One might argue that while external standards can provide a benchmark, they should not dictate personal goals or sense of self-worth. Rather, personal experiences, values, and abilities should play a significant role in setting self-standards. However, completely disregarding societal expectations can lead to detachment or alienation. Thus, a balance might be the most suitable approach.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Unlike Skinner, Bandura argues that cognitions are valid causes of behavior. Give an example to illustrate each of the following: (a) Thinking about an event in different ways can cause different behaviors. (b) Thoughts alone can cause a person to become angry or depressed.

You have to take an exam on the material in this chapter. Use this example to illustrate each of the following aspects of reciprocal determinism: (a) The environment influences behavior. (b) Behavior influences the environment. (c) Personal factors influence behavior, (d) Behavior influences personal factors. (e) Personal factors influence the environment. (f) The environment influences personal factors.

Give an example to illustrate each of the following: (a) Observational learning is necessary because Skinnerian trial-and-error learning would be too dangerous. (b) Observational learning in the classroom. (c) Observational learning in sports. (d) How observational learning in our society leads to more violent behavior.

A terrorist blows up a building in a hated foreign country. How might Bandura explain the terrorist's behavior?
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