In: Psychology
Previous experience can influence self-efficacy because it informs our vicarious performances. performance experiences. imaginal performances. affective states.
Albert Bandura’s concept of self-efficacy states that one’s
belief in one’s ability to perform and successfully completing that
task. This will impact the way one approaches a task or challenge
in one’s life. Unlike self-confidence which is more of an attitude
and personality trait, self-efficacy is about the ability to
perform a task.
Self-efficacy plays a major role in determining our success in the
world and it is more than the talent itself. Albert Bandura gives
four sources of efficacy beliefs.
Mastery experiences – If someone succeeds, the chances of that
person taking up that task in the future is more. One’s self
efficacy and confidence increases if they had completed a
particular task successfully and the reverse is also true that
previous failures might decrease self-efficacy and increase self-
doubt.
Vicarious experiences – We trust few people and believe that they
are our idols and if they had succeeded in their effort on similar
tasks, it would increase our self-efficacy. We will put same amount
of effort in the tasks to complete.
Imaginal Experiences – One needs to imagine and dream that one
successfully completes a task. This visualization of success will
help one perform better.
Affective States – Building positive emotions will boost one’s
ability to perform well whereas the negative emotions and moods
will spoil the results even if someone has the ability to do.
Verbal Influence – People who can talk well and convince people are
normally the winners. So verbal persuasiveness is one of the most
important factors of self-efficacy.