Reciprocal Determinism

Definition

Reciprocal determinism is the idea in psychology that an individual's behavior influences and is influenced by personal factors and the social environment.

Theoretical Perspectives

Reciprocal determinism is a concept from social-cognitive theory, posited by Albert Bandura, which suggests that an individual's behavior both influences and is influenced by personal factors and the social environment.

Study And Research Findings

Bandura's 1977 research on reciprocal determinism highlighted the triadic interaction between behavior, cognitive factors (including personal beliefs), and environmental variables. This framework has been influential in studies of personality psychology, self-efficacy, and behavior change.

Related terms

Self-efficacy: This refers to one’s belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish tasks. It's like having faith in yourself that you can finish a marathon race.

Behavioral Genetics: The study of genetic and environmental influences on behaviors. It’s akin to investigating why twins might have similar tastes in music – is it because they share genes or because they grew up together?

Environmental Psychology: The field of psychology that studies how humans are affected by their environments (both physical and social). It's like analyzing why you might feel more relaxed in a quiet park than in a noisy city center.