Eccles and Wigfield initially “defined Self-efficacy as an individual’s confidence in their ability to organize and execute a given course of action to solve a problem or accomplish a task" (2002) One's self efficacy varies in strength or level over time, some may have more or less self efficacy, and it may be dependent on task difficulty or criterion. Self Efficacy focuses on the expectancy of one's success or failure.
According to the theory, one should expect to succeed to the extent that one feels in control of their successes and failures. It is simply the difference between 'do or do you not you believe you impact whether you succeed or fail at a task' (internal v external locus of control)
Related to 3 basic needs: competence, autonomy and relatedness.
Children who believe they control their outcomes should feel more competent, and when needs are fulfilled, students/children will be fully engaged. There are three critical beliefs: means-ends beliefs, control beliefs, and agency beliefs.
Expectation of actions and related outcomes
Idea that one can/can't control their outcomes
Belief that one does/does not have access to resources that determine their successes and failures.