Milestone One
PSY 560: Theories of Personality
Milestone One: Background and Basics of the Theory
Selected Theory: Social Learning and Locus of Control
Outline
Historical Overview
As the economic crisis affected his family, Julian B. Rotter realized the importance of an
individual’s environment and how it affects them physically and mentally.
, Julian B. Rotter’s interest in psychology began in high school when he read books by
Adler and Sigmund Freud (Rotter, 1993). When in college, he attended seminars given by
Adler and attended meetings that he gave at his home (Rotter, 1993).
After completing his master’s degree, Rotter took an internship in clinical psychology,
which he continued as a clinical psychologist upon completing his doctorate.
As noted in the citation for his American Psychological Association (APA) Award for
Distinguished Scientific Contributions, "his pioneering social learning
framework...transformed behavioral approaches to personality and clinical
psychology. (Strickland, 2014)
Historical Development
Rotter admired and was influenced by Adler's work, and his theory can be compared to
Adler’s because of some similarities.
While attending the University of Iowa, Rotter was also influenced by Wendell Johnson,
whom he studied with (Rotter, 1993).
10:43:50 GMT -06:00
PSY 560: Theories of Personality
Milestone One: Background and Basics of the Theory
Selected Theory: Social Learning and Locus of Control
Outline
Historical Overview
As the economic crisis affected his family, Julian B. Rotter realized the importance of an
individual’s environment and how it affects them physically and mentally.
, Julian B. Rotter’s interest in psychology began in high school when he read books by
Adler and Sigmund Freud (Rotter, 1993). When in college, he attended seminars given by
Adler and attended meetings that he gave at his home (Rotter, 1993).
After completing his master’s degree, Rotter took an internship in clinical psychology,
which he continued as a clinical psychologist upon completing his doctorate.
As noted in the citation for his American Psychological Association (APA) Award for
Distinguished Scientific Contributions, "his pioneering social learning
framework...transformed behavioral approaches to personality and clinical
psychology. (Strickland, 2014)
Historical Development
Rotter admired and was influenced by Adler's work, and his theory can be compared to
Adler’s because of some similarities.
While attending the University of Iowa, Rotter was also influenced by Wendell Johnson,
whom he studied with (Rotter, 1993).
10:43:50 GMT -06:00
