Efficacy expectations and outcome expectations as predictors of performance in a snake-handling task

Abstract

Self-efficacy theory proposes that efficacy expectations are central determinants of behavior, but it has argued that expectancies concerning outcome may be more important, or that the two may combine linearly or multiplicatively to determine behavior. A recent study involving role-played assertiveness has found that efficacy expectations are more accurate predictors of performance than are outcome expectations. The present study examines efficacy and outcome expectations as predictors of performance in a snake-handling task with a population of 33 male nonphobic undergraduates. Efficacy expectations are again found to be better predictors of performance than outcome expectations. Linear and multiplicative combinations of the two do not account for more variance than efficacy alone. Thus, it appears that efficacy expectations are more important than outcome expectations in predicting behavior.