What is Self-Efficacy?
Self-efficacy, a concept introduced by psychologist Albert Bandura, refers to an individual’s belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish particular tasks. It is not a measure of actual skills but rather the confidence in one’s capacity to use those skills effectively.
Self-efficacy plays a crucial role in how people approach goals, tasks, and challenges. Individuals with high self-efficacy are more likely to:
View challenging problems as tasks to be mastered
Develop deeper interest in activities
Form a stronger sense of commitment to their interests and activities
Recover quickly from setbacks and disappointments
Bandura identified four main sources that influence self-efficacy:
Mastery experiences: Successful past experiences increase self-efficacy, while failures can undermine it.
Vicarious experiences: Observing others succeed in similar tasks can boost one’s belief in their own abilities.
Social persuasion: Encouragement from others can help overcome self-doubt.
Emotional and physiological states: How one interprets and perceives their emotional and physical reactions can impact self-efficacy.
Self-efficacy has significant implications in various domains, including education, health, and career development. In education, students with high self-efficacy are more likely to persist in challenging subjects and achieve higher academic performance. In health contexts, self-efficacy can influence adherence to treatment plans and adoption of healthy behaviors.