confidence theory

Self-Efficacy Theory

Self-efficacy theory is a cognitive-behavioral theory developed by Albert Bandura which holds that individuals’ beliefs in their own efficacy are key elements in predicting their behavior. Self-efficacy theory is one of the most influential theories in the field of social psychology, with applications to education, health, occupational, and sport settings. Self-efficacy is an individual’s belief in his or her ability to succeed in a given situation or accomplish a task. This belief is based on one’s performance in previous activities, observations of others, and social persuasion. Self-efficacy remains constant over time and is specific to certain tasks or goals. The theory also identifies four sources of self-efficacy: mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion and physiological and emotional states.

Self-efficacy theory was developed in the 1970s in order to try to explain the inconsistency of behavior toward similar tasks. Bandura hypothesized that an individuals beliefs in their own abilities had a much stronger influence on how the individual behaved and reacted to their environment than had previously been assumed. He found that when individuals believed they had the ability to complete a task or behavior successfully, they were more likely to do so, thus attributing self-efficacy as the main source of motivation for that behavior.

Banduras theory states that behavior is based on an individuals beliefs in their own efficacy; that is, an individuals belief in their ability to achieve a certain task. Individuals have varying levels of belief in their own abilities; some may have a very high self-efficacy, believing they can achieve any task they set out to do, while others may have a very low self-efficacy, believing they are incapable of achieving any task.

Self-efficacy is not determined solely by the individuals performance on tasks; it is also affected by external sources, such as the opinions of others and media representations. Individuals who receive positive feedback and encouragement on their performance on a task, as well as those who witness others succeeding in tasks, will likely have higher levels of self-efficacy than those who witness failure. Similarly, those who are exposed to discouraging remarks or media that presents only negative outcomes of tasks are likely to have lower levels of self-efficacy.

The four sources of self-efficacy identified in Banduras theory are mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion and physiological and emotional states. Mastery experiences involve direct experiences in which the individual was able to successfully complete a task. Vicarious experiences involve observing or hearing about another person completing a task successfully. Verbal persuasion involves positive reinforcement or encouragement from other people. Finally, physiological and emotional states involve the individuals current physical and mental state which may influence their beliefs in their own abilities.

The main applications of self-efficacy theory are in clinical and educational settings. The theory is used to explain why individuals vary in their success rate when attempting to complete a task or behavior. Banduras work has been important in understanding how an individuals self-efficacy influences their performance. It is used to design effective interventions in clinical settings as well as help students succeed in educational settings.

Self-efficacy theory has been subject to both criticism and praise since its introduction. Critics cite research which suggests that self-efficacy is not the only factor influencing behavior and that it may not be an accurate predictor of success or failure. It is also argued that the four sources of self-efficacy identified in the theory are not exhaustive and thus do not completely account for the variability in individual behavior.

Despite these criticisms, self-efficacy remains one of the most influential cognitive theories in the field of social psychology. Banduras work has helped explain why individuals may differ in their behavior toward similar tasks and has enabled clinicians, educators, and others to design interventions that are tailored to the individuals level of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy theory is an important tool for understanding how beliefs in our own abilities influence our actions and behaviors.

Self-Efficacy Theory

Self-efficacy is defined as “belief in one’s capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to manage prospective situations” (Bandura, 1977). Self-efficacy is an important factor that contributes to an individual’s success and achievement (Colquitt & Zapata-Phelan, 2007). It is one of the four main areas of psychological analysis within the field of motivation, along with expectation, self-efficacy, commitment, and value expectancy (Bandura, 2001).

Self-efficacy theory, developed by Albert Bandura, is rooted in social cognitive theory, which posits that people learn by observing the behavior of others (Bandura, 1977). Self-efficacy theory emphasizes both individual agency and social influences, asserting that human behavior is the result of a dynamic interaction between the environment, one’s beliefs, and one’s behaviors. Bandura (1977) contends that self-efficacy encourages people to take action, employ different strategies to pursue goals, and persevere in spite of adversity. Thus, this theory is central to understanding how to best motivate individuals and how individuals capitalize on their strengths and weaknesses.

Self-efficacy has been studied in a wide range of settings and contexts, including learning, work, health behavior, drug and alcohol use, and relationships. Johnson et al. (2007) found that self-efficacy had a positive effect on academic achievement, especially in the areas of mathematics and science. Hagger et al. (2002) discovered that students with self-efficacy had higher academic performance and achieved better in online education settings compared to non-believers.

Self-efficacy can also play a major role in work-related performance. People with higher levels of self-efficacy are more likely to make better decisions, think clearly and realistically, strive for success, persist even in the face of hurdles and disappointment, and seek feedback to improve their performance (Bartholomew, 2011). It is also an important factor in decision-making, as studies have shown that people with higher levels of self-efficacy are less likely to procrastinate and more likely to set proactive goals and make plans to achieve those goals (Bandura, 1997).

In conclusion, self-efficacy theory is a powerful tool for understanding how people make decisions and how best to nurture their development. Self-efficacy has been proven to affect academic and work performance, decision-making, and the ability to persevere in the face of adversity. Taking steps to cultivate self-efficacy in oneself and those around us can have a positive impact on their overall wellbeing and success.