Definition
Self-efficacy “refers to beliefs in one’s capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to produce given attainments” (Bandura, 1997).
Description
Self-efficacy, a major component of Bandura’s social cognitive theory, is the belief in one’s capacity to complete a task, rather than the relevant skills possessed (Bandura, 1997). Both are needed to function effectively, with belief affecting the course of action, effort applied, perseverance in the face of adversity, strengths of negative affects experienced, and level of accomplishment (Bandura, 1995). Self-efficacy ( judgment of capability) is distinct from self-esteem ( judgment of self-worth), locus of control (belief in how outcomes are determined), and outcome expectancies (judgment of likely outcomes from performance) (Bandura, 2006).
Perceived self-efficacy affects thought processes, the level and persistence of motivation, and affective states (Bandura, 1997). Low self-efficacy is likely to...
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Barnett, A. (2014). Self-Efficacy. In: Michalos, A.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_2631
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