,PSYC 341 Quiz 8 | Psychology of Personality (2026) Q&A
| Liberty University
1. Which of the following best describes the primary assumption of Julian Rotter's social
learning theory?
A) Behavior is primarily determined by unconscious conflicts
B) Behavior is shaped by immediate reinforcement alone
C) Behavior is a function of one's expectancy and the value of the reinforcement
D) Behavior is determined by genetic predispositions
Correct Answer: Behavior is a function of one's expectancy and the value of the
reinforcement
Rationale: Rotter's social learning theory emphasizes that behavior potential is a
function of expectancy (the belief that a behavior will lead to a particular outcome) and
reinforcement value (the subjective importance of that outcome). It rejects the behaviorist
notion that behavior is shaped by immediate reinforcement alone, and it is not based on
unconscious conflicts or genetic determinism.
2. What did Rotter and Mischel object to in the explanation of human behavior?
A) The idea that behavior is shaped by immediate reinforcement
B) The concept of expectancy
C) The use of cognitive factors in personality
D) The idea that people can anticipate events
Correct Answer: The idea that behavior is shaped by immediate reinforcement
,Rationale: Both Rotter and Mischel objected to the strict behaviorist explanation that
behavior is shaped solely by immediate reinforcement. They argued that cognitive factors
such as expectations, values, and goals play a crucial role in determining behavior. This is a
foundational concept in their cognitive social learning theory.
3. In Rotter's theory, what does "behavior potential" refer to?
A) The likelihood that a specific behavior will occur in a given situation
B) The total number of behaviors a person can perform
C) The strength of an unconscious drive
D) The biological predisposition to behave in a certain way
Correct Answer: The likelihood that a specific behavior will occur in a given situation
Rationale: Behavior potential is Rotter's term for the likelihood that a particular
behavior will occur in a given situation, calculated as a function of both expectancy and
reinforcement value. It is not about the total number of behaviors, unconscious drives, or
biological predispositions.
4. According to Rotter's basic prediction formula, behavior potential is a function of:
A) Expectancy and reinforcement value
B) Locus of control and self-efficacy
C) Id, ego, and superego
D) Genetics and environment
Correct Answer: Expectancy and reinforcement value
Rationale: Rotter's basic prediction formula states that behavior potential is a function of
both expectancy (the belief that a behavior will lead to a particular outcome) and
, reinforcement value (the subjective importance of that outcome). Locus of control is a
separate generalized expectancy, and id/ego/superego are Freudian concepts.
5. What is the term for the subjective value a person places on a particular reinforcement?
A) Expectancy
B) Reinforcement value
C) Behavior potential
D) Locus of control
Correct Answer: Reinforcement value
Rationale: Reinforcement value refers to the subjective importance or preference that an
individual places on a particular outcome or reward. It is not the objective value of the
reward but rather how much the person desires it. Expectancy is the belief about the
likelihood of the outcome.
6. Rotter's concept of "locus of control" refers to:
A) A person's belief about whether outcomes are controlled by their own actions or by
external forces
B) The location of the id and ego in the psyche
C) The balance between conscious and unconscious processes
D) The degree of genetic influence on behavior
Correct Answer: A person's belief about whether outcomes are controlled by their own
actions or by external forces
Rationale: Locus of control refers to an individual's generalized belief about whether
outcomes are controlled by their own actions (internal locus) or by external forces such as
| Liberty University
1. Which of the following best describes the primary assumption of Julian Rotter's social
learning theory?
A) Behavior is primarily determined by unconscious conflicts
B) Behavior is shaped by immediate reinforcement alone
C) Behavior is a function of one's expectancy and the value of the reinforcement
D) Behavior is determined by genetic predispositions
Correct Answer: Behavior is a function of one's expectancy and the value of the
reinforcement
Rationale: Rotter's social learning theory emphasizes that behavior potential is a
function of expectancy (the belief that a behavior will lead to a particular outcome) and
reinforcement value (the subjective importance of that outcome). It rejects the behaviorist
notion that behavior is shaped by immediate reinforcement alone, and it is not based on
unconscious conflicts or genetic determinism.
2. What did Rotter and Mischel object to in the explanation of human behavior?
A) The idea that behavior is shaped by immediate reinforcement
B) The concept of expectancy
C) The use of cognitive factors in personality
D) The idea that people can anticipate events
Correct Answer: The idea that behavior is shaped by immediate reinforcement
,Rationale: Both Rotter and Mischel objected to the strict behaviorist explanation that
behavior is shaped solely by immediate reinforcement. They argued that cognitive factors
such as expectations, values, and goals play a crucial role in determining behavior. This is a
foundational concept in their cognitive social learning theory.
3. In Rotter's theory, what does "behavior potential" refer to?
A) The likelihood that a specific behavior will occur in a given situation
B) The total number of behaviors a person can perform
C) The strength of an unconscious drive
D) The biological predisposition to behave in a certain way
Correct Answer: The likelihood that a specific behavior will occur in a given situation
Rationale: Behavior potential is Rotter's term for the likelihood that a particular
behavior will occur in a given situation, calculated as a function of both expectancy and
reinforcement value. It is not about the total number of behaviors, unconscious drives, or
biological predispositions.
4. According to Rotter's basic prediction formula, behavior potential is a function of:
A) Expectancy and reinforcement value
B) Locus of control and self-efficacy
C) Id, ego, and superego
D) Genetics and environment
Correct Answer: Expectancy and reinforcement value
Rationale: Rotter's basic prediction formula states that behavior potential is a function of
both expectancy (the belief that a behavior will lead to a particular outcome) and
, reinforcement value (the subjective importance of that outcome). Locus of control is a
separate generalized expectancy, and id/ego/superego are Freudian concepts.
5. What is the term for the subjective value a person places on a particular reinforcement?
A) Expectancy
B) Reinforcement value
C) Behavior potential
D) Locus of control
Correct Answer: Reinforcement value
Rationale: Reinforcement value refers to the subjective importance or preference that an
individual places on a particular outcome or reward. It is not the objective value of the
reward but rather how much the person desires it. Expectancy is the belief about the
likelihood of the outcome.
6. Rotter's concept of "locus of control" refers to:
A) A person's belief about whether outcomes are controlled by their own actions or by
external forces
B) The location of the id and ego in the psyche
C) The balance between conscious and unconscious processes
D) The degree of genetic influence on behavior
Correct Answer: A person's belief about whether outcomes are controlled by their own
actions or by external forces
Rationale: Locus of control refers to an individual's generalized belief about whether
outcomes are controlled by their own actions (internal locus) or by external forces such as
