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Self-Efficacy Facts & Worksheets

Self-Efficacy is the confidence a person has in their ability to perform a particular action and the belief that their efforts will lead to success.

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According to renowned psychologist Albert Bandura, self-efficacy is the conviction that one can carry out the behaviors required to achieve particular performance goals.

See the fact file below for more information on Self-Efficacy, or you can download our 24-page Self-Efficacy worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

WHAT IS SELF-EFFICACY?

  • Self-efficacy is the conviction that one can carry out an activity or accomplish a goal. It includes self-assurance in one’s ability to exercise control over one’s environment, manage one’s conduct, and remain motivated to pursue one’s objectives. Self-efficacy is a trait people possess in various contexts and domains, including relationships, employment, and other crucial areas.
  • Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory, which emphasizes the function of observational learning, social experience, and reciprocal determinism in personality formation, is centered on self-efficacy.

ALBERT BANDURA

  • Canadian-American psychologist Albert Bandura OC (December 4, 1925 – July 26, 2021) was the David Starr Jordan Professor of Psychology at Stanford University.
  • Bandura was instrumental in bridging the gap between behaviorism and cognitive psychology and made significant contributions to the fields of education and psychology, including social cognitive theory, therapy, and personality psychology.
  • He is recognized as the creator of the seminal 1961 Bobo doll experiment, the social learning theory (now known as the social cognitive theory), and the theoretical construct of self-efficacy. This experiment with the Bobo dolls illustrated the idea of observant learning.
  • In contrast to the mentalistic constructs of psychoanalysis and personality psychology, Bandura’s expanded conceptual tools allowed more effective modeling of phenomena like observational learning and self-regulation. It gave psychologists a helpful framework for theorizing about mental processes.
  • Bandura developed support for a school of psychology during his time at Iowa that sought to examine psychological phenomena through repeatable, experimental testing. 
  • His incorporation of concepts like reciprocal determinism, which proposed a link of mutual influence between an actor and its environment, and mental phenomena like imagery and representation signified a significant shift from the preeminent behaviorism of the time.

THEORETICAL APPROACHES

SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY

  • How one approaches objectives, jobs, and problems can be significantly influenced by one’s feeling of self-efficacy. The theory of self-efficacy is the core of Bandura’s social cognitive theory, which emphasizes the importance of social experience and observational learning in the formation of personality. 
  • The central idea of social cognitive theory is that an individual’s actions and reactions, including social behaviors and mental processes, are influenced by the behaviors they have observed in others in practically every setting.
  • Self-efficacy is a crucial component of social cognitive theory since it is formed from outside experiences and self-perception and significantly impacts how many events turn out. The individual’s perspective of external social variables is represented by self-efficacy. 
  • According to Bandura’s hypothesis, individuals with a high level of self-efficacy—those who have confidence in their ability to do well—are more inclined to regard challenging tasks as challenges to overcome than avoidance.

ATTRIBUTION THEORY

  • The study of attribution focuses on how people assign meaning to events and how those beliefs affect how they perceive themselves. According to attribution theory, there are three causal dimensions:

ROLE OF SELF-EFFICACY

  • Almost everyone can list their desired outcomes, changes they would like to see, and goals they would like to achieve. Most people also know that carrying out these ideas takes a lot of work. According to Bandura and others, self-efficacy has been linked to a person’s approach to objectives, tasks, and obstacles.
  • Below are the characteristics of people with high and low self-efficacy.

SELF-EFFICACY VS. SELF-ESTEEM

  • There are significant differences between self-efficacy and self-esteem, even though the two are frequently used interchangeably. What distinguishes self-efficacy from self-esteem? 
  • While self-esteem refers to your respect for your value and worth, self-efficacy describes how you feel about your ability to achieve in various scenarios.
  • Self-efficacy is more concerned with “doing” than self-esteem, which is more concerned with “being” (e.g., believing that you are perfectly okay just the way you are) (e.g., feeling that you are up to a challenge).
  • A strong feeling of self-worth and a high sense of self-efficacy can contribute to a person’s sense of overall value or worth, yet the two stand alone as distinct entities.
  • Despite having poor self-efficacy (I probably won’t desire it enough to finish it), you may have healthy self-esteem (I could do it if I wanted to).

HOW DOES SELF-EFFICACY DEVELOP?

  • By coping with various events, tasks, and situations throughout early childhood, we start to develop a feeling of self-efficacy. However, their self-efficacy continues to grow when people gain new knowledge, abilities, and perspectives.
  • Bandura noted four significant sources of self-efficacy. Mastery experiences, social modeling, social persuasion, and psychological reactions are the four ways to achieve self-efficacy.

The four significant sources of self-efficacy noted by Bandura.

MASTERY EXPERIENCES

  • According to Bandura, mastery experiences are the most efficient means of fostering a strong sense of efficacy. Our self-efficacy is strengthened when we complete a task successfully. Self-efficacy, however, can be challenged and undermined if a job or difficulty is inadequately handled.

SOCIAL MODELING

  • Another significant source of self-efficacy is seeing others do a task successfully. According to Bandura, seeing people who are similar to themselves succeed through perseverance “raises observers’ beliefs that they too possess the capabilities to master comparable activities to succeed.”

SOCIAL PERSUASION

  • Additionally, Bandura claimed that people might be persuaded to think they possess the knowledge and abilities necessary for success. Think about a time when someone encouraged you with a kind word, and it helped you accomplish a goal. Receiving verbal affirmation from others helps people overcome self-doubt and concentrate on delivering the task at hand with their best effort.

PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSES

  • Self-efficacy also dramatically impacts how we respond to circumstances and how we feel emotionally. Stress levels, physical reactions, mental states, and moods can all affect how someone thinks about their talents in a given circumstance. A person who experiences intense anxiety before speaking in front of an audience could become less effective under these circumstances.

SELF-EFFICACY FOR CHILDREN

“I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.”

  • The growth of self-efficacy in kids and teens comes from four different sources.

Self-Efficacy Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Self-Efficacy across 24 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching students about Self-Efficacy, a person’s belief in their ability to accomplish a specific task or goal. It is the confidence a person has in their ability to perform a particular action and the belief that their efforts will lead to success.

Self-Efficacy Worksheets
Self-Efficacy Worksheets
Self-Efficacy Worksheets

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Self-Efficacy Facts
  • Self-Efficacy
  • How Self-Efficacy Changes
  • Self-Efficacy and Self-Esteem
  • I am wonderful because…
  • Dig beyond Words
  • What Will You Do?
  • Improving One’s Self
  • I am Good At…
  • Let’s Figure it Out!
  • Achievements Collage

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between self-efficacy and self-esteem?

Self-efficacy and self-esteem are two related but distinct constructs. Self-efficacy refers to a person’s belief in their ability to perform a specific task or achieve a particular goal. In contrast, self-esteem refers to a person’s overall sense of worth and value. In other words, self-efficacy is domain-specific, while self-esteem is more general.

How can I increase my self-efficacy?

There are several ways to increase your self-efficacy, including:

  • Setting achievable goals and gradually increasing the level of difficulty.
  • Seeking out role models who have achieved similar goals.
  • Building a support network of people who believe in you and provide positive feedback.
  • Developing and practicing new skills.
  • Reflecting on past successes and achievements.

Can self-efficacy be overestimated?

Yes, self-efficacy can be overestimated. People with too much confidence in their abilities may be more likely to take risks and overlook potential obstacles or challenges. This can lead to overconfidence bias and may result in failure or setbacks. It is important to have realistic self-efficacy beliefs based on accurate self-assessments and experience.

Is self-efficacy related to motivation?

Yes, self-efficacy is closely related to motivation. When people believe that they have the skills and resources to achieve their goals, they are more likely to be motivated to work towards those goals. Conversely, people needing more confidence in their abilities may be less motivated to take on challenges and give up more quickly.

Can self-efficacy be developed in children?

Yes, self-efficacy can be developed in children. Research has shown that children who are given opportunities to succeed and receive positive feedback are more likely to develop a sense of self-efficacy. Parents and teachers can help to develop children’s self-efficacy by providing them with age-appropriate challenges and opportunities to succeed, as well as positive reinforcement and support. Encouraging children to reflect on their successes and learn from their failures can also help to develop their self-efficacy.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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