Self Efficacy Theory Flashcards
What is self efficacy
A persons confidence in being able to do something
What is high self efficacy
They believe that they will be successful in what they are doing so will therefore be strongly motivated to tackle difficult tasks
What is low self efficacy
They believe they will fail so they are More likely to avoid challenges or will give up quickly
What are mastery experiences
The experience of performing a task successfully
If you succeed you will learn that you are capable of performing the task or improving skills so you are more likely to re do the task in future
So failing will reduce self-efficacy
What is vicarious reinforcement
If you observe a person being successful in something your self efficacy will increase
The person that is being observed is very influential in this case as you may identify with them
What is social persuasion
Encouragement and discouragement can have an impact on self efficacy
If someone is being told all the time they can do something they are likely to continue the task whereas as it is a motivator
What is emotional states
Stress, anxiety and fear can reduce self efficacy
What is a strength of self efficacy theory
Theory offers several strategies that interventions can use to produce behaviour change
I.e. theory suggest that the opp to perform a task successfully has to structured carefully the target behaviour should be broken down into achievable elements
What is a weakness of the self efficacy theory
Self efficacy can sometimes be confused with self esteem and self confidence
Meaning that what is measured by research studies is not self efficacy
