Self Efficacy

Self efficacy is a complex construct closely related to other perceptions of self, including: self concept, self knowledge, self beliefs, and the ability to make constructive self appraisals and self evaluation. Self efficacy is essentially a performance-based measurement of perceived capability (Zimmerman, 2000), combined with the ability to feel confident about performance outcome skills and knowledge in the context of objective expectations (Bandura, 1993). Self efficacy is constructed of self beliefs combined with self knowledge and skills, and applied under a variety of conditions and can be predictive of performance capability (Pajares, 1996), academic ability (Bandera and Schunk, 1981), metacognitive monitoring and self regulation (Flavell, 1976), and methods of learning and motivation (Zimmerman, 2000).

Self efficacy is constructed of self beliefs that are combined with self knowledge and skills, and applied under a variety of conditions. Bandura (1997) provided this simple operational definition of self efficacy: “perceived self-efficacy is a judgment of capability to execute given types of performances”(p.309). Metacognitive strategies are influenced by judgments, self beliefs and perceptions of self efficacy and self control. Judgments are forms of metacognitive beliefs: they are self appraisals informing self regulation and influencing efficacy beliefs. Self efficacy and self regulation are mutually reinforcing perceptions (Zimmerman et al., 1992; Altun & Erden, 2013) and include goal setting behaviors and self evaluation (Bandura, 1994) as well as regulation of behaviors, thoughts and emotions (Altun & Erden, 2013) to reach a desired purpose or aim.

Perceptions of self efficacy can influence the regulation of behaviors and emotions and influence the ability to pursue goals or face challenges or set backs (Bandura, 1993, 1997) and are not the same as internal locus of control as actions and beliefs may be believed to be controllable but may not correlate with perceptions of ability (Tschannen-Moran & Hoy, 1998). Earlier research by Albert Bandura (1993, 1997) suggests that successful mastery experiences have the ability to raise perceptions of efficacy provides further evidence to support the reciprocal relationship (determinism) between environment and self efficacy beliefs.

Further cognitive constructs associated with self efficacy include: human agency, social perceptions and comparisons (Festinger, 1954), social identity (Burke & Stets, 2009), performance feedback (Gino & Staats, 2011), locus of control, beliefs and attitudes (Grinnell, 2016; Rotter, 1966) and motivation (Bandura, 1997; Zimmerman, 1989). At the same time, self efficacy is influenced by cognitive processes governed by other factors: personal (related to the individual), behavioral (the individual’s reaction to events and experiences), and the environment.