Self-efficacy
Self-Efficacy
When facing the daily challenges we must deal with, sometimes we think: ‘I am not capable.’ We feel overwhelmed by events and convinced that we will never have the slightest chance of succeeding. At other times, instead, we feel confident in our ability to tackle specific tasks and overcome any problems that may arise. These thoughts about our abilities or inability to manage certain situations, activities, or aspects of our well-being and performance can rightly fall under the definition of “self-efficacy.” In this article, we will explore what self-efficacy is and how it can improve our lives.
The Sense of Self-Efficacy in Albert Bandura
The first to address the meaning of self-efficacy in psychology was Albert Bandura, a Canadian psychologist naturalized in the United States, best known for his research on social learningIl termine apprendimento - con i sinonimi imparare, assimila... More: he highlighted that learning occurs not only through direct experience but also by observing others, within a process called ‘modeling’. Within his “Social Cognitive Theory,” a decisive role is played by the perception of self-efficacy, i.e., the perception of personal abilities that allow individuals to understand themselves and their environment and, consequently, to regulate their behavior.
Bandura argued that the sense of self-efficacy affects how we face challenges, how we motivate ourselves, and how we persevere in the face of adversity. In the book “Self-Efficacy: Theory and Applications” by Bandura (2000), perceived self-efficacy can be defined as the belief in one’s ability to organize and execute the actions necessary to achieve specific outcomes. These beliefs influence people’s emotions and thoughts, their motivation, and the behaviors they adopt.
How We Behave When We Perceive Low Self-Efficacy
When we perceive low self-efficacy, we tend to have less confidence in our ability to succeed. This lack of confidence can lead to avoidance behaviors, where we try to evade situations that scare us or that we perceive as too difficult to face. Additionally, we may experience anxietyAnxiety is an emotional response characterized by feelings o... More, fear of failure, and reduced motivation in pursuing our goals. Low self-efficacy is also associated with stressWhat is stress? From a clinical perspective, stress is a phy... More and depressive symptoms.
How It Is Built
Self-efficacy can be built and developed over time. Here are some key factors that contribute to its formation:
- Experience of success. Success experienced in the past and emphasized to oneself is a powerful factor in building self-efficacy. When we experience success in certain activities, we gain confidence in our abilities to face them again in the future.
- Role models. Observing role models successfully tackling the challenges that concern us can positively influence our self-efficacy. Seeing others achieve results can make us think: “I can do it too.”
- Verbal persuasion. Encouraging words and support from others can positively affect our perception of self-efficacy. Receiving positive and motivating feedback can increase confidence in our abilities.
- Emotional regulation. Managing emotions is crucial for self-efficacy. Learning to control anxiety, manage fear of failure, and face negative emotions can help us develop greater confidence in our abilities.
The Difference Between Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy
It is important to distinguish between self-esteemThe term self-esteem literally refers to the evaluation of o... More and self-efficacy, as they are often used interchangeably but represent different nuances of self-perception. Self-esteem refers to the overall evaluation we make of ourselves as individuals. It concerns our sense of personal worth, confidence in our qualities, and respect for ourselves. Self-esteem can be influenced by various factors, such as upbringing, life experiences, and social relationships.
On the other hand, self-efficacy is specific to a particular area or task. It represents our confidence in our ability to successfully perform a specific activity or achieve a specific goal. Self-efficacy is influenced by our experiences, observation of reference models, and perception of our skills.
An individual may have high general self-esteem but simultaneously experience low self-efficacy in some areas of life. For example, a person may have great confidence in social and relational abilities but feel less confident in handling complex mathematical tasks. Conversely, an individual may have low general self-esteem but high self-efficacy in a specific area where they have gained experience and success. It is also important to emphasize that self-efficacy can influence self-esteem and vice versa. Increasing self-efficacy in certain domains can have a positive impact on overall self-esteem, while high self-esteem can foster greater confidence in one’s ability to face new challenges.
