According to social-cognitive theorists, what determines how a person responds to life events?

The chosen answer highlights the central premise of social-cognitive theory, which posits that behavior is influenced by a complex interplay of personal factors (like traits and cognitive interpretations) and environmental contexts. According to this perspective, individuals are not passive recipients of their experiences; rather, they actively interpret and respond to life events based on their cognitive processes, including beliefs, expectations, and previous experiences.

For instance, two people may encounter the same challenging situation but respond differently depending on their own interpretations and coping mechanisms. Thus, social-cognitive theorists emphasize that both the individual's internal cognitive framework and the external environment shape behavior and responses to life events, making this answer accurate and comprehensive in reflecting the theory's principles.