Self Efficacy Theory

Question 1

What is self efficacy?

Answer 1

The belief in our ability to do an action or a task

Question 2

High self efficacy=?

Answer 2

High self efficacy means we expect to succeed so we are motivated to try hard

Question 3

Low self efficacy=?

Answer 3

We expect to fail so we avoid the challenge or give up easily

Question 4

What is included in self efficacy theory?

Answer 4

1. Mastery experiences
2. Vicarious reinforcement
3. Social persuasion
4. Emotional states

Question 5

Mastery experiences

Answer 5

Slef efficacy is increased by having a past history of performing a task successesfully.
So we believe we are capable of performing a task successesfully

Question 6

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 6

Observing another person doing a task successesfully increases our own sef efficacy.

We identify with them

Question 7

Social persuasion

Answer 7

Verbal persuasion increases self efficacy.

Question 8

Emotional states

Answer 8

Stress and anxiety can reduce self efficacy.

E.g someone exersizing at a gym for first time believing they are being warched they expect to fail reducing self effecacy and making faliure more likely

Question 9

Strength of self efficacy

Answer 9

Offers a range of stratergies to change behaviour.

E.g for mastery experiences tasks can be broken down into acheivable elements. Also relaxation training can ve used to reduce anxiety and improve performance.

Therefore self effecacy provides useful interventions to improve peoples lives.

Question 10

Weakness of self efficacy

Answer 10

Theory assumes that high self effecacy is always positive.

E.g in one study researchers gave students a puzzle game which increased their self efficacy. But self efficacy decreased when they repeated the game.
High self efficacy caused them to become overconfident so they made less effort on the task next time. (Vancouver et al).

Theory less effective bcz it does not predict negative effects of high self efficacy.