Self-efficacy

Definition

Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their own capabilities to accomplish a specific task or achieve a desired outcome. It is a crucial psychological construct that influences motivation, behavior, and overall performance across various domains.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Self-efficacy beliefs influence the choices people make, the effort they put forth, and their persistence in the face of challenges.
2. Individuals with high self-efficacy are more likely to set higher goals, put forth more effort, and persevere in the face of obstacles.
3. Self-efficacy is domain-specific, meaning that an individual's beliefs about their capabilities may vary across different tasks or situations.
4. Mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, social persuasion, and physiological states are the four primary sources that contribute to the development of self-efficacy.
5. Self-efficacy is a key factor in the learning process, as it affects the strategies individuals use, their effort, and their persistence in acquiring new knowledge and skills.

Review Questions

• Explain how self-efficacy relates to the concept of learning approaches in the context of psychology.
  • Self-efficacy is a crucial factor in the learning process, as it affects the strategies individuals use, their effort, and their persistence in acquiring new knowledge and skills. Individuals with high self-efficacy are more likely to approach learning tasks with confidence, set higher goals, and persevere in the face of challenges. This can lead to more effective learning outcomes, as they are more willing to engage in and persist with learning activities. Conversely, individuals with low self-efficacy may avoid challenging tasks, put forth less effort, and be less likely to achieve their learning goals.
• Describe how self-efficacy can influence an individual's behavior and performance within the context of contemporary psychology.
  • Self-efficacy beliefs have a significant impact on an individual's behavior and performance across various domains. Individuals with high self-efficacy are more likely to set ambitious goals, put forth greater effort, and persist in the face of obstacles. This can lead to improved performance and a greater likelihood of achieving desired outcomes. Conversely, individuals with low self-efficacy may avoid challenging tasks, give up easily, and underperform, which can negatively impact their overall functioning and well-being. Understanding the role of self-efficacy is crucial in contemporary psychology, as it helps explain and predict human behavior and performance in a wide range of contexts, from academic and professional settings to health-related behaviors and personal development.
• Analyze how the development of self-efficacy can be influenced by the key factors identified in Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory.
  • According to Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory, the development of self-efficacy is influenced by four key factors: mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, social persuasion, and physiological states. Mastery experiences, or successful past performances, provide the most influential source of self-efficacy, as they offer direct evidence of one's capabilities. Vicarious experiences, such as observing others succeed, can also enhance self-efficacy by demonstrating that the task is achievable. Social persuasion, in the form of encouragement and positive feedback from others, can bolster an individual's belief in their abilities. Finally, physiological states, such as emotional arousal and stress levels, can impact self-efficacy, as individuals may interpret their physical and emotional reactions as indicators of their competence. By understanding how these factors contribute to the development of self-efficacy, psychologists can design interventions and strategies to help individuals build a stronger sense of self-efficacy, which can lead to improved motivation, performance, and overall well-being.

Related terms

Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory: A theory that emphasizes the role of observational learning, social experience, and self-regulation in the development of personality. Self-efficacy is a central component of this theory.

Locus of Control: The extent to which individuals believe they have control over the events that affect their lives. Self-efficacy is related to an internal locus of control, where individuals believe they can influence their own outcomes.

Mastery Experiences: Successful past experiences that contribute to an individual's sense of self-efficacy, as they provide evidence of their ability to accomplish a task.