Social-Cognitive and Personality Trait Theories Practice Test

Reciprocal determinism: behavior, environment, and cognition always affect each other equally, so studying cannot matter more than luck.

Trait absolutism: stable intelligence traits completely determine performance, so studying cannot change grades in any meaningful way.

External locus of control: believing grades mainly depend on luck, teacher mood, or other forces outside personal influence and effort.

Self-efficacy: confidence in one’s ability to perform behaviors needed to achieve a specific outcome, like improving a math grade.