Self-Efficacy

Behavioral Studies

An individual's belief in their own capacity to succeed at a specific task or in a particular situation, a concept central to the work of Albert Bandura.

High self-efficacy is associated with greater effort, persistence and resilience in the face of difficulty. In education, mastery experiences, modelling, encouragement and managing anxiety all help build a learner's sense of efficacy.

Related Terms
Self-Regulation
The process by which learners set goals, monitor their progress, manage their emotions and adjust their strategies to achieve learning outcomes.
Motivation
The internal and external forces that initiate, direct and sustain goal-directed behaviour, including learning.
Growth Mindset
The belief, described by Carol Dweck, that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, strategy and persistence, as opposed to a fixed mindset that sees them as static.
Social Learning Theory
A theory, associated with Albert Bandura, holding that people learn by observing, imitating and modelling the behaviour, attitudes and outcomes of others.
Grit
Perseverance and sustained passion for long-term goals, described by Angela Duckworth as a predictor of achievement beyond talent alone.