Self-Efficacy
What is Self-Efficacy?
Belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish specific tasks. The confidence that you can do what it takes to reach your goals.
Quick Answer
Self-efficacy is belief in your ability to succeed at specific tasks. It's not general confidence but confidence in particular domains—you can have high self-efficacy for some things and low for others.
Scientific Background
Developed by Albert Bandura as part of Social Cognitive Theory. Self-efficacy predicts effort, persistence, and achievement. It's domain-specific: you can have high self-efficacy for math but low for public speaking.
How to Measure
Assessed through domain-specific questionnaires asking about confidence in performing particular tasks. General Self-Efficacy scales also exist but are less predictive.
Real-World Implications
- Predicts performance, persistence, and recovery from setbacks
- Built through mastery experiences, vicarious learning, and verbal persuasion
- Low self-efficacy creates self-fulfilling prophecies of failure
- Can be systematically developed through graduated challenges
Common Misconceptions
- Self-efficacy is not self-esteem—it's task-specific confidence, not global self-worth
- High self-efficacy without skill leads to overconfidence, not success
- Self-efficacy can be "borrowed" from similar domains through transfer
Related Concepts
Related Definitions
Quick Facts
- CategorySelf
- MeasurableYes
- TrainableYes
- Related Tests2
Explore Other Categories
Sources
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- Peer-Reviewed Research Literature
- Psychometric Assessment Standards
- Handbook of Personality Psychology
References & Sources
Nisbett, R. E. (2015). Mindware: Tools for Smart Thinking. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Sternberg, R. J. (2020). The Cambridge Handbook of Intelligence (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
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Self-Efficacy: Frequently Asked Questions
What is self-efficacy?+
Self-efficacy is belief in your ability to succeed at specific tasks. It's not general confidence but confidence in particular domains—you can have high self-efficacy for some things and low for others.
How do you build self-efficacy?+
Primarily through mastery experiences (succeeding at progressively harder tasks). Also through watching similar others succeed, encouragement from trusted people, and managing anxiety.
Is self-efficacy the same as confidence?+
Self-efficacy is a specific type of confidence—belief you can perform particular tasks. General confidence is broader and less predictive of specific outcomes.
What's the difference between self-efficacy and self-esteem?+
Self-efficacy is "I can do this task." Self-esteem is "I am a worthwhile person." You can have low self-esteem but high self-efficacy in specific areas, or vice versa.
Why is self-efficacy important?+
Self-efficacy predicts whether you'll attempt challenges, persist through difficulty, and recover from failure. It's one of the most powerful psychological predictors of achievement.
