Self-Efficacy

Self-efficacy is confidence in one’s ability to succeed at a task and is a primary influence in motivating a person. This construct determines various aspects of an individual’s behavior toward a task, including the individual’s thoughts, motivations, and overall performance, especially when the individual faces a difficult task. Depending on an individual’s self-efficacy beliefs, the individual can endure the hardships brought forth by a task in order to attain satisfactory results or can cease any effort toward the completion of the task. Establishing a positive sense of self-efficacy can lead to positive life outcomes. This entry reviews the theories, sources, and correlates of self-efficacy.