Week 3: Self-Efficacy

Social Cognitive Theory

• Human beings are self organizing, proactive, self-reflecting and self regulating organisms (Bandura, 1986)

• Thoughts, self-concept, motivation and anticipation/planning are key factors in behaviour

• Opposed some of the prevalent views of the day, which framed human behaviour as more passively reactive

Self efficacy

• “Judgments of our capabilities to organize and execute courses of action required to attain designated types of performances” (Bandura, 1997)

• “peoples level of motivation, affective states, and actions are more based on what they believe than on what is objectively true” (Bandura, 1997)

• Self-efficacy is the foundation for motivation, confidence, well being and personal accomplishment

What Self-efficacy is NOT

• Self-Efficacy differs from self-esteem in that it is based on one’s beliefs about a specific task as opposed to one’s overall self-worth\

• Self-Efficacy differs from confidence in that it focuses on not only one’s abilities but one’s potential to learn and perform a specific task if given the appropriate conditions.

Effects of Self efficacy

1. Influences choice of tasks and the activities people pursue

• select tasks which we feel competent and avoid those we do not

2. Determines the amount of effort /how long we expend effort in the various tasks pursued

• the higher the sense of self efficacy, the greater the effort, persistence and resilience exerted towards completion of a particular task

3. Influences thought patterns and emotional reactions in approaching tasks

• persons high in self efficacy approach difficult tasks with a sense of serenity

• ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’

4. Contributes to continuing self-appraisals of our abilities concerning tasks

• determined by the level/degree of consequences resulting from engaging in the task

Factors Influencing the Development of Self-Efficacy

1. previous performance/mastery experience

• interpreting past efforts and outcomes regarding same/similar tasks

• basis of self-beliefs regarding future same/similar tasks

• Relapse?

2. Vicarious experience/modeling

• observing others performing the task

• “model” needs to be seen as similar to oneself in their attributes

• Application to group services

3. Social Persuasions

• exposure to verbal judgments provided by others

• “encouraging words

4. Somatic or Emotional States

• levels of stress, anxiety, arousal prior to engaging in the task at hand may provide feedback about one’s degree of confidence