Running Head: BEHAVIORAL REGULATION BY SELF-REINFORCEMENT AND SELF EFFICACY 1

Behavioral Regulation by Self-Reinforcement and Self Efficacy

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BEHAVIORAL REGULATION BY SELF-REINFORCEMENT AND SELF EFFICACY 2

Behavioral Regulation by Self-reinforcement and Self Efficacy

Abstract

This essay mainly focuses on how self-reinforcement and self efficacy regulate

behaviors. Self-reinforcement and self efficacy are some of the most vital aspects in lives of both

elder children and adults. Reinforcement administered by other individuals especially adults is as

vital as reinforcement administered by self. People always set behavioral standards of achieving

set goals. They appreciate themselves upon achieving them as well as exceeding what they

particularly expected. However, they also blame themselves for failure to meet the set targets.

Self administered reinforcement can either be tangible or emotional, (Bandura, 2013). Tangible

self administered reinforcement includes purchasing a new house, new clothes or any new

product. On the other side emotional self administered reinforcement include self satisfaction

after accomplishment of a given task. Self administered punishment entails behaving of an

individual differently compared to the way we are expected to behave. This is usually expressed

in terms of guilt, depression or shame. The belief an individual has towards accomplishment of a

given task is known as self efficacy. In an aim to achieve success, the belief an individual has

towards accomplishment of the given task is very vital and plays an important role in the strive

for success. Self efficacy is usually determined by the following factors and these include past

experiences, performance attainment, and verbal persuasion, emotional and physiological aspects

towards the achievement of the set goals. Self efficacy is usually affected by self judgment, self

observation and self reaction, (Bandura, 2013).

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Most of our behaviors are regulated by the process of self-reinforcement. Our behaviors

are usually evaluated basing on the previous performance behaviors. Improvement in the present

behaviors as well as the future performance is usually evaluated with reference from the past

behaviors. There is a point reached in life where an individual can no longer be motivated,

challenged or satisfied by his performance. This forces them to raise their standards to achieve

the set goals. However, failure to achieve the set goals may result in to them lowering to realistic

standards. Individuals setting their performance standards with reference to talented and

successful role models usually end up failing repeatedly. This makes them continuously

punishing themselves in terms of depression resulting in to use of self destructive substances

such as drugs and alcohol. Our standards are usually set basing on our parents and teachers.

Throughout our lives, there are continuous comparisons of our standards in relation to the ones

of our parents, (Bandura, 2013).

Self efficacy is enhanced by the ability to meet and maintain the standards upon which

performance of various tasks is done. Failure to accomplish and maintain the standards reduces

self efficacy. People with high self efficacy have belief of dealing effectively with more

challenging tasks and situations, (Garrin, 2014). This is because they have beliefs that they can

succeed in which ever situation they experience and have belief of overcoming every obstacle

that can prevent them from achieving the set goals. On the other side people with low self

efficacy feel that they have no control over the obstacles and challenges they face in an attempt

to achieve the set goals. Referencing from other successful figure especially the ones with the

same abilities like ours strengthens efficacy. Role models direct us on strategies to use while
BEHAVIORAL REGULATION BY SELF-REINFORCEMENT AND SELF EFFICACY 4

dealing with challenging situations. Individuals have a belief that if they can do it, and then who

are they to fail to do it, (Garrin, 2014).

Self reinforcement and self efficacy can be applied in learning processes of students.

Achievement of the set goal by students motivates them to set more challenging goals hence

enabling them to improve their skills. Usually students enter learning sessions with goals such as

acquiring knowledge and attaining a specific level of education. During the process, their ability

to attain a set goal is determined by their attitudes towards learning, personal abilities as well as

personal experience. In the process of learning and solving the given tasks, students observe and

evaluate their performance. Good progress motivates them to continue with their way of

approaching tasks and unsatisfactory progress makes them change to other means of approaching

tasks. Change in behaviors of a student is usually motivated by self observation. Poor

performance in students is mainly as result of spending most of their time on non academic

activities. Therefore, when students observe the cause of the poor performance, they are

motivated by the belief that changes in their behaviors and way of spending their time can result

in to improvement in their school performance. Reactions of an individual towards goal progress

motivate behaviors, ( Gangloff & Mazilescu, 2017). Self efficacy is motivated by the belief that

the progress of a student is acceptable as well as its satisfaction towards accomplishment of the

set goals. Students with beliefs of having the capability of improving are not usually motivated

by negative evaluations. However, if students have beliefs of lacking ability to succeed and

improve their performance, even motivation will and self efficacy will not improve their

performances. Receiving feedback is one of the most vital indicators of improvement or

reduction in progress. Students receiving positive feedback have higher chances of improving

their performance compared to students receiving negative feedback. This is because positive
BEHAVIORAL REGULATION BY SELF-REINFORCEMENT AND SELF EFFICACY 5

feedback motivates them to overcome more challenging situations, ( Gangloff & Mazilescu,

2017).
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References

Garrin J.M. (2014).Self Efficacy, Self Determination, and Self-Regulation: The Role of

the Fitness Professional in Social Change Agency. Journal of Social Change.

Bandura, A. (2013). The role of self-efficacy in goal-based motivation. Development in

goal setting and task performance.

Gangloff, B & Mazilescu, C.A. (2017). Normative Characteristics of Perceived Self-

Efficacy. Journal of Social Sciences