Self-Efficacy Theory

Early Behavior Theories

• Early theories explaining behavior had three characteristics.
• Behavior is psychically regulated by the sub-conscience
• Deviant behavior is a symptom of disease or disorder
• Behavior changes by self-insight through analysis with a therapist
• A new approach introduced in the 1960s proposed that behavior results from the interplay of personal, behavioral, and environmental factors
• Deviant behavior is not necessarily a symptom of a disease or disorder

Self-Efficacy Theory

• Bandura introduced self-efficacy theory in 1977.
• Self-efficacy: individual perceptions about their abilities to engage in specific behaviors
• Self-efficacy: a situation-specific form of self-confidence
• Self-efficacy has been adopted by other theories like SCT, HBM, and TRA

Defining Self-Efficacy

• Self-efficacy means an individual's belief in his/her capabilities to successfully carry out a course of action to meet particular task demands.
• Self-efficacy involves one's belief that their actions are effective or make a difference in accomplishing a certain task.

Self Efficacy vs. Self Esteem

• Self-esteem is conceptualized as a general feeling of one's worth or value, while self-efficacy is focused more on "doing."

Core Concept

• The core idea of self-efficacy is that people only try to do what they think they can do, and won't try what they think they can't do; i.e. "I think I can, I think I can."
• People with strong self-efficacy view difficult tasks as challenges to be mastered, set goals, maintain commitment, approach situations confidently, and are less prone to depression and stress.
• People who doubt their ability see difficult tasks as threats, give up easily, lose faith, and are more prone to depression and stress.

Key Determinants of Efficacy Judgments

• Self-efficacy includes performance outcomes, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and physiological feedback.
• Positive and negative experiences influence the ability of an individual to perform a given task.
• High or low self-efficacy can develop vicariously through observation.
• Self-efficacy is influenced by encouragement and discouragement
• Sensations people experience from their body and their perception influence their beliefs of efficacy

Past Performance Outcomes

• Successfully tackling something is a mastery experience that increases self efficacy
• Mastery experience is the individual perception of success based on the similarity between previously experienced activity and current activity.
• Mastery takes trying different and difficult things, overcoming obstacles, and practicing things that do not come easily.

Vicarious Experiences

• Viewing the performance of a behavior by another individual (modeling)
• Watching someone similar to one's self be successful increases self-efficacy; conversely, watching the person fail threatens self-efficacy.
• The more like you the person is, the greater the effect the vicarious experience will have on self-efficacy

Social Persuasion

• Verbal and nonverbal tactics can be used by others to increase a person's self-efficacy, especially from knowledgeable or significant others, with earlier life encouragement being more effective.
• Self-efficacy can be threatened when people are discouraged by others.

Physiological / Emotional Feedback

• The physical and/or emotional state that occurs when someone thinks about doing something affects self-efficacy.
• Increased self-efficacy comes from joy, excitement, and peacefulness
• Decreased self-efficacy comes from fear, anxiety, and stress

Building Self Efficacy

• Steps towards building self-efficacy include emphasizing peer modeling, seeking feedback, encouraging participation, and making one's own choices.

General Self Efficacy Scale

• Self Efficacy Scale: assesses a general sense of perceived self-efficacy to predict coping with daily hassles and adaptation.
• Self Efficacy Scale: designed for general adult population, including adolescents.
• People under 12 should not be tested

Barriers to Self-Efficacy Scale (BARSE)

• BARSE is designed to tap subjects' perceived capabilities to exercise three times per week for 40 minutes over two months, despite commonly identified barriers
• Participants indicate their confidence on a 100-point percentage scale from 0% (not at all confident) to 100% (highly confident).
• Total strength is calculated by summing the confidence ratings and dividing by the number of items, resulting in a maximum possible efficacy score of 100.