Final answer:
James's behavior of playing a video game after studying illustrates the concept of self-reinforcement in social learning theory, which is aligned with ideas of self-efficacy and is highlighted in Albert Bandura's social-cognitive theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept illustrated when James allows himself one play a video game after studying for half an hour is self-reinforcement. In the context of social learning theory, self-reinforcement is the act of rewarding oneself to increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
It ties closely with the idea of self-efficacy, where an individual's beliefs in their capabilities can influence their behavior and motivation.
Social learning theory, which includes components like reciprocal determinism and observational learning, also emphasizes the role cognition plays in how one learns and develops personality traits.
Albert Bandura, a proponent of social-cognitive theory, stressed that personal development is influenced by learning, cognition, and interaction with the environment. The act of playing a video game as a reward for studying reflects an understanding of the consequences of one's actions and a method of self-motivation to achieve desired outcomes.