“), or do you doubt your abilities to overcome the difficulties that life throws your way?
“Put simply, it is a persons belief in their ability to succeed in a particular situation.
Such beliefs play a role in determining how people think, behave, and feel.
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This system plays a major role in how we perceive and respond to different situations.
Self-efficacy is an essential part of this self-system.
Why has self-efficacy become such an important topic among psychologists and educators?
However, most people also realize that putting these plans into action is not quite so simple.
High vs. Low Self-Efficacy
Having high self-efficacy is a good thing.
What is the difference between self-efficacy and self-esteem?
Is self-efficacy the same as self-confidence?
While the two terms are related, there are some important distinctions.
Self-confidence is more general and refers to a person’s overallbelief in themselves in all contexts.
Self-efficacy, on the other hand, is more specific and context-dependent.
Research suggests that self-efficacy predicts self-esteem.
In other words, people with high self-efficacy also tend tohave high self-esteemand vice versa.
How Does Self-Efficacy Develop?
Bandura identified four major sources of self-efficacy.
However, failing to adequately deal with a task or challenge can undermine and weaken self-efficacy.
Social Modeling
Witnessing other people successfully complete a task is another important source of self-efficacy.
Consider a time when someone said something positive and encouraging that helped you achieve a goal.
Psychological Responses
Our responses and emotional reactions to situations also play an important role in self-efficacy.
Examples of High Self-Efficacy
So what exactly does high self-efficacy look like?
Bandura suggests that self-efficacy can benefit a person’s sense of well-being in a number of ways.
For instance, they remain optimistic and confident in their abilities, even when things become difficult.
When setbacks happen, they tend to give up quickly.
Learned helplessnessis the opposite of self-efficacy.
It can occur when people feel they have no power to control what happens in a situation.
Instead of looking for opportunities to change the outcome, they give up and behave passively.
Building Self-Efficacy
Fortunately, self-efficacy is a psychological skill you might foster and strengthen.
Start by looking for ways to incorporate Bandura’s sources of self-efficacy into your own life.
Here are a few strategies to try.
Celebrate Your Success
Mastery experiences play a critical role in the establishment of self-efficacy.
Bandura actually identified this as the single most effective way to create a strong sense of self-belief.
When you succeed at something, you are able to build a powerful belief in your ability.
So, work onsetting goals that are achievable, but not necessarily easy.
Seek Positive Affirmations
Hearingpositive feedbackfrom others can also help improve your sense of self-efficacy.
Do you feel anxious?
Looking for ways to ease your stress levels can help you feel more confident in your capabilities.
Do you find yourself dwelling on negative thoughts?
Look for ways to replace negativity withpositive self-talkthat promotes self-belief.
Life is full of challenges and high levels of self-efficacy can help you betterdeal with these difficulties more effectively.
That makes this belief one that is worth investing time in to develop.
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