Self-efficacy

an empowering belief

Mumtaz F. Jafari, Ph.D

Self- Efficacy
 Self-Efficacy: a critical element of
human personality;
 An aspect of one’s self system
 A cognitive structure that
provides a frame of reference for
perceiving, evaluating and
regulating one’s behavior
 A perception of our ability, to
produce and regulate the events
in our lives (Bandura, 1982)
Cont…
 Self-Efficacy is individual’s conviction (or
confidence) that his/her abilities to mobilize
the motivation, cognitive resources and
courses of actions needed to successfully
execute a specific task within a given context
(Stajkovic, 1998)
 Self-efficacy reflects the judgment of an

individual’s ability to accomplish a certain

level of performance.
Sources of Self-Efficacy
 People higher in Self-efficacy are better
equipped to have more adaptive responses to
setbacks and stressors in their lives and work
environment.

 They are more likely to maintain healthy level

of psychological well-being.
Sources of Self-Efficacy
Dimensions of Self-Efficacy
1) Magnitude: Efficacy expectations vary according
to the magnitude or level of difficulty of the
task;

2) Generality: It refers to the degree of

generalization of mastery expectations beyond
the specific treatment situation;

3) Strength: It refers to the perseverance of

personal mastery expectations despite
disconfirming experiences;
Effects of Self-Efficacy
 Unless people believe they can
produce desired effects by their
actions, they have no incentive to
act or to persevere in the face of
difficulties (Bendura, 2004);

 Self-Efficacy determines goals

and outcomes. It also determines
how the environmental
facilitators and impediments are
viewed (Bendura, 2004)
Cont…
 People of high self-efficacy view
impediments as surmountable by
◦ a) persevering through effort
◦ b) improving self-management skills

 Efficacy beliefs also influence

people’s resilience
◦ The way they think and feel
◦ The magnitude of effort they expend
◦ The time they invest
 Effects of Low Self-efficacy
 People with low self-efficacy are easily put off in the
face of impediments & they
 exaggerate their deficiencies
 become demoralized and easily give up
 suffer from self-pity, self-doubt & feel helpless

 Learned Helplessness is an acquired perception on

the part of the individual of lacking controllability
over external events.

 Learned Helplessness leads to depression and a

sense of hopelessness;
Cont..
 Self-defeating

behavior, self-
pity, self-doubt &
and self-fulfilling
prophecy are
some other
indicators of low
self-efficacy.
Advantages of High Self-Efficacy
 Self-Efficacy beliefs pave the way for success
or failure
 SE has been positively related to job attitude,

motivation on the job and job performance

 Anxiety Reeducation
 Addiction Control
 Pain Tolerance
 Illness Recovery
 Strong Immune System
 Medical Rehabilitation
Cont..
◦ Low Procrastination
◦ Weight Loss
◦ Persistence Academic Pursuits
◦ Enhanced Productivity
◦ Goal Commitment
◦ Less Test Anxiety
◦ Elimination of Phobias
◦ Prevention of Eating & sleep
Disorders
◦ Smoking cessation
People in Low Self-Efficacy
 Feel
◦ Helpless
◦ Pitiable
◦ Dependant
◦ Apathetic
◦ Anxious
◦ Depressed
◦ Unconfident &
◦ quickly give up
Promoting Self-Efficacy?
 Self-Efficacy is learned and can be promoted
through:
 Successful Accomplishments
 Vicarious Experiences
 Verbal Persuasion
 Transformational Leadership
 Supportive Environment
 Trust in Management
 Organizational & Occupational Identity
 Positive Feedback
 Mastery Experiences