Social Cognitive Theory and Self-Efficacy

Self-efficacy is a psychological concept popularized by Albert Bandura in his social cognitive theory and is loosely regarded as a person's belief in their own abilities. Bandura defined it as "the belief in one's capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to manage prospective situations." Bandura also believed that personality is largely based on social experience and observational learning. He also felt that people with high self-efficacy can accept the challenge of difficult tasks because they believe that anything can be accomplished, and those with low amounts give up on difficult tasks or avoid them altogether.

He further goes on to say that self efficacy is a person's belief in their own success in a specific situation. A more thorough definition is that given by T.N. Smalley, "a person's judgment of his or her capabilities is based on mastery criteria; a sense of a person's competence within a specific framework, focusing on the person's assessment of their abilities to perform specific tasks in relation to goals and standards rather than in comparison with others' capabilities."

Self-efficacy is sometimes confused with other terms such as efficacy, self-esteem and confidence. All three, however, are distinct and only slightly related. Efficacy alone is the production of an effect on the environment. Self-efficacy is the belief that an effect can be made. Self-esteem is a value of worth. Self-esteem is more generalized and not dependent on specific goals like self-efficacy.

Social Cognitive Theory and Self-Efficacy

Self-efficacy affects human behavior in the following ways:

- Choices - without self-efficacy, choices are made to avoid tasks that seem too difficult or impossible.

- Motivation - those with high self-efficacy handle things better than those with low amounts. They tend not to give up when the going gets tough.
- Perspective - people with high self efficacy have a broader outlook on the world. Those with low amounts believe tasks are more difficult than they are in reality.

Some of the factors the affect self-efficacy are:

- Experience or mastery - the most important factor that determines whether a person believes he or she can accomplish a task

- Modeling - vicarious experience or the experience of observation. Seeing someone else accomplish a task makes it easier to believe it can be accomplished personally.

- Social Pressure - another person's belief that a task can be accomplished is effective if a person believes it themselves.

- Physiological response - fight or flight physical manifestations can be interpreted as inability by some and ignored by others.

Social Cognitive Theory and Self-Efficacy
Check For The New Release in Health, Fitness & Dieting Category of Books NOW!
Check What Are The Top Cooking Books in Last 90 Days Best Cheap Deal!
Check For Cookbooks Best Sellers 2012 Discount OFFER!
Check for Top 100 Most Popular Books People Are Buying Daily Price Update!
Check For 100 New Release & BestSeller Books For Your Collection

Argosy University offers a wide selection of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in a variety of psychology concentrations at 19 locations across the nation.

watches cell phone Best Buy Roc N Soc Nitro Throne Black Buy Extra Containment Receiver For Ef 3000 Best Offer Genuine Brake Band