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Social cognitive perspectives on personality emphasize the importance of conscious awareness, beliefs, expectations, and goals in shaping behavior. These perspectives incorporate behaviorist principles, such as learning through reinforcement and conditioning, but extend beyond them by highlighting human reasoning and planning. Unlike traditional behaviorist views, social cognitive theory focuses on how individuals reflect on their past experiences and plan for future outcomes by considering...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal

Published on: April 18, 2017

Theory-driven intervention for changing personality: expectancy value theory, behavioral activation, and

Jessica F Magidson¹, Brent W Roberts², Anahi Collado-Rodriguez¹

¹Department of Psychology, University of Maryland.

Developmental Psychology

|October 31, 2012

Summary

Personality traits linked to health issues can be modified through behavioral interventions. This study proposes a theory-driven, bottom-up approach targeting specific behaviors to change personality traits like conscientiousness.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 17, 2026

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal

Published on: April 18, 2017

Area of Science:

Psychology
Behavioral Science
Clinical Psychology

Background:

Evidence suggests personality traits are malleable, opening avenues for therapeutic interventions.
Behavioral interventions offer a bottom-up approach to modify problematic personality traits by targeting underlying behaviors.
A clear theoretical framework is needed to integrate interventions for practical clinical application.

Observation:

Problematic personality traits can be altered through behavioral interventions targeting core behaviors.
New, healthier behavior patterns can become automatized, leading to personality trait changes.
A bottom-up model requires clearer integration of theory and interventions for clinical use.

Findings:

This article proposes guiding principles for theory-driven, bottom-up modification of personality traits.
Behavioral Activation (BA) is presented as a relevant intervention for targeting conscientiousness.
Expectancy Value Theory (EVT) provides a motivational framework for these behavioral changes.

Implications:

The proposed approach offers a theoretically grounded method for personality trait modification.
Behavioral Activation (BA) demonstrates viability in altering behaviors counter to conscientiousness.
This framework supports the clinical application of bottom-up strategies for personality change, particularly in substance-dependent patients.