Self-efficacy is “the belief in one’s capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to manage prospective situations.”
In other words, self-efficacy is a person’s belief in his or her ability to succeed in a particular situation
Developing our sense of self –efficacy connects strongly with the principles of recovery, self –help, as well as those of Cognitive behavioural Therapy..
People with a strong sense of self-efficacy:
- View challenging problems as tasks to be mastered
- Develop deeper interest in the activities in which they participate
- Form a stronger sense of commitment to their interests and activities
- Recover quickly from setbacks and disappointments
However, the growth of self-efficacy does not end during youth but continues to evolve throughout life as people acquire new skills, experiences, and understanding.
According to Bandura, there are four major sources of self-efficacy:
1. Mastery Experiences
Performing a task successfully strengthens our sense of self-efficacy. However, failing to adequately deal with a task or challenge can undermine and weaken self-efficacy.
2. Social Modeling
Witnessing other people, similar to oneself, successfully completing a task is another important source of self-efficacy.
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3. Social Persuasion
Getting verbal encouragement from others helps people overcome self-doubt and instead focus on giving their best effort to the task at hand.
4. Psychological Responses
Our own responses and emotional reactions to situations also play an important role in self-efficacy. Improving the way we think and feel about some situations can improve our chances of succeeding. By learning how to minimize stress and elevate mood when facing difficult or challenging tasks, people can improve their sense of self-efficacy.
