Thursday, May 4, 2017

Self-efficacy



Self-efficacy is confidence in one's own ability to achieve intended results. It is a person's belief in his or her ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task. One's sense of self-efficacy can play a major role in how he or she approaches goals, tasks, and challenges (...and EVERYTHING).
Self-efficacy affects every area of human endeavor. By determining the beliefs a person holds regarding his or her power to affect situations, it strongly influences both the power a person actually has to face challenges competently and the choices a person is most likely to make. 
People generally avoid tasks where self-efficacy is low, but undertake tasks where self-efficacy is high. When self-efficacy is significantly lower than actual ability, it discourages growth and skill development. Research shows that the optimum level of self-efficacy is slightly above ability; in this situation, people are most encouraged to tackle challenges and gain experience.

I remembered this term shortly after my last post about happiness, self-esteem, self-worth, etc. I believe self-efficacy is a MAJOR component in the discussion about how all these things are connected, affect one another, and result in individual outcomes.
I'm not interested in trying to break it down much further than that. I just wanted to tag it on to the rest of what I'd previously written. 
As for my personal experience, I can clearly see how my varying level of self-efficacy over the years or in regards to a particular challenge shaped the decisions I made. Typically, successes lead to greater self-efficacy for me. Learning or trying something new and having a good experience continues to bolster it. 

If you want to sit back and learn more about self-efficacy, just watch The Lego Movie. Seriously. 
"Emmet, don't worry about what the others are doing. You must embrace what is special about you."
"The only thing anyone needs to be special is to believe that you can be. I know that sounds like a cat poster, but it's true. Look at what you did when you believed you were special. You just need to believe it some more."
"You are the most talented, most interesting, and most extraordinary person in the universe. And you are capable of amazing things. Because you are the Special. And so am I. And so is everyone. The prophecy is made up, but it's also true. It's about all of us. Right now, it's about you, and you....still.....can change everything."

1 comment:

Dana said...

Truth! 👊🏼