Make a brief response to this student's discussion board post:

Define self-efficacy.

Self-efficacy is an individuals conception of what is within their capabilities, a kind of set of expectations of that they believe is possible in a given situation. The book uses the example of being late to the bus stop and believing in two scenarios: 'can I make it, or will I fall in the attempt.' We all have and develop an impression of ourselves and based on our experiences and set our concept of reasonable expectations based on this idea of self-efficacy.; a way to organize and predict the outcomes and behaviors when faced with decisions.

What is a self-system, in Bandura's theory.

Self-system is essentially self-regulation, or ability to control behavior. It is the idea that as beings we can strive for balance between our emotions, expectations, and goals through effort/control. Low goals and/or standards lead to lower expectations and less emotional regulation (less control). Higher goals, more effort/standards influence greater control and more insight into emotions. It is somewhat similar to a hierarchy of needs theory in that if people are more concerned with more base needs, there is less focus on 'higher' thought; by exercising more control over ourselves, we have in theory greater control over the outcome. Since we are not all the same however, there is variation in these goals, desires, perceptions, and learning styles that affect the value we place on control/regulation; our own pattern of behavior.

List and explain Bandura's four processes that influence learning.

Attentional Processes - revolves around observing the behavior. It is the type of learning of recognizing patterns though sight and enables a person to discern and differentiate between two visual stimuli. There is higher focus on the model to portray clear messages to the observer, and variation of between observers in motivation, perception, and past reinforcement.

Retention Processes - is the ability to recall. Some individuals possess a greater capacity for recall than others, able to remember details with ease even after long periods of time. Verbal coding and rehearsal strategies (repetition) are among the best ways to encourage retention.

Motor Reproduction Processes - can be thought of as a form of muscle memory, or being able to replicate and remember steps even without fully remembering the context or reason behind the action(s). This is because the memory is encoded in more physical processes rather than cognitive ones. Learning occurs this way through repetition and performing the action by one's self.

Motivational Processes - is the desire to obtain the information. Learning is often dependent upon interest level and receptiveness of the individual. Resistance to information or a certain learning type will hinder ability to absorb information while interest and eagerness will increase likelihood of recall/performance. While wanting to learn is not enough by itself, a person's motivation has greater impact on the overall success rate of learning.

Explain Kelly's concept of constructive alternativism.

Is similar to the idea of self-efficacy with the assertionthat while we have our own thoughts and expectations based on our experiences, we also cannot rely on of belief/expectations as factual. It is a reasonable assumption that behavior might lead to a certain outcome, but it is by no means guaranteed to happen based on our belief alone due to the unpredictability of life. Essentially nothing is objective truth until after it happens, as everything else is 'subject to revision.'

Why do we make the choices we do, according to Kelly's choice corollary.

Kelly proposed that we build constructs to contain our expectations, predictions, and understandings of reality to better interact with others and achieve our goals. It can depend on the situation, but ultimately it depends on what we are hoping to achieve when we make a choice. Sometimes it is purely experiemental to gain a better understanding and increase experience with reaction/consequence; however, this is usually only done when any negative consequence would be minor or negligible. Higher consequences mean higher variation in the decisions people make, as individuals will seek out various information to rationalize, predict, and gain certainty about the choices; all of which may be prone to fallacies.

Explain what Rogers meant by the actualizing tendency.

The actualizing tendency is the belief that all humans tend to gravitate towards betterment: to grow, mature, and expand our capability and understanding. While there are exceptions or hinderances along the way, this belief is more in the overall trend of humanity as it relates to individuals rather than inherent fact for each person. It is a kind of assumption that all nature seeks to evolve into a better version, and humans follow this principle not just physically but morally, ethically, and rationally.

Discuss Rogers's idea that people are basically good.

Roger's ideas are formulated around this optimistic desire for growth and understanding, and individuals possess the capacity for good, and it is the circumstance/development that can ultimately hinder this inner potential. That often adults force their own perceptions of worth/value and withhold love, affection, and familiarity with their children based on a criterion being met; meaning that rather than exploring and growing their idealized and actual self, children learn to limit themselves to what is expected of them. This is how a person can get into conflict themselves and with the world, because they did not get the opportunity to nurture and expand their self-image to its potential. It is less about good versus evil, and more about acceptance and unconditional support to provide greater avenues for exploration.

List and explain the characteristics of a fully functioning person according to Rogers.

Openness to experience - being receptive to what is happening around you. Rather than automatically being defensive or highly reactive, it is the ability to treat things as they come and tolerate and perceive events rationally.

Existential Living - is the ability to live in the moment, to be present. It is the difference between being able to adapt and truly experience versus mired in rigidity or too much structure.

Organismic Trusting - the ability to trust your experience/emotions with clear insight into your needs; rather than a distorted fallacy. It is the ability to trust yourself even when you cannot trust those around you.

Experimental Freedom - the freedom and ability to choose. To some this can simply be the choice of outlook; that despite negative surroundings and consequences, to choose to be positive regardless. There is always a choice, regardless of societal pressure or in the options presented.

Creativity - that a fully functioning person is not beholden to the past, but able to adapt to new situations and new environments.

Why do we call Rogers theory (a client centered theory).

In a lot of theories there is greater emphasis on technique, in making judgements, or interpretations into what a client says or feels. In client centered therapy, there is no coercion element. A therapist's role is not to help change a person's way of thinking or influence their behavior, but rather to help the client explore themselves to better understand their own motivations, behaviors, and emotions. Roger's theory on therapy is exactly this; a "what works" rather than a model to follow. Since each client is different, each approach will be different; what matters is that the client is the focus, not society or the therapist. The client is the best person to determine what is the right path for them, to understand their own experiences, the therapist's role is to assist in facilitating this exploration of self.