Efficacy and Personal Control

Question 1

Internal and External Locus of Control

Answer 1

Locus of Control is a generalised, trait-like belief which determines whether or not expectancies get reinforced. Internal = people believe they are responsible for their life outcomes; External = chance or other people are responsible for control of life outcomes.

Question 2

Dispositional Optimism

Answer 2

“The tendency to believe that one will generally experience good vs bad outcomes in life”. Optimists vs pessimists (good vs bad). Optimists/pessimists have differing coping strategies to overcome adversity. Dispositional optimism is not the same as LOC due to optimism affecting expectancy of good/bad events regardless of cause.

Question 3

Self-efficacy

Answer 3

“Efficacy expectation is the conviction that one can successfully execute the behaviour required in order to produce outcomes.” 3 dimensions: Magnitude (difficulty), Strength (perseverance needed) and Generality (how specific is behaviour). Self-efficacy experiences come from performance accomplishments, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion and emotional arousal.

Question 4

Self-efficacy vs LOC vs Optimism

Answer 4

Self-efficacy is more behaviour-focussed than LOC and does not focus on personal vs external factors. Optimism and self-efficacy are statistically independent as efficacy is behaviour specific and optimism is a generalised trait.