Self-Efficacy/Perceived Competence

Dimensions of Self-Efficacy

Self-efficacy beliefs vary on three dimensions: magnitude, strength, and generality, although the strength dimension is employed most widely in self-efficacy measures. Nonetheless, all three dimensions have potentially important implications for performance. The magnitude dimension encompasses the number of steps, or level of task difficulty, people consider themselves capable of performing. Some people limit [Page 853]themselves to attempting only simple tasks while others attempt the most difficult and complex tasks. For example, a person trying to lose weight may feel efficacious to abstain from eating sweets when there are no sweets present. However, that person may feel less efficacious to pass up the dessert cart at a restaurant.

Efficacy beliefs also vary in strength. People with weak efficacy beliefs are easily discouraged by obstacles and setbacks, while people with strong efficacy beliefs persevere despite disconfirming experiences. For example, two people wanting to abstain from sweets may feel they can pass up the dessert cart at a restaurant, but one may hold this belief with more certainty.

Finally, efficacy beliefs vary in generality. Self-efficacy beliefs in one behavioral or situational domain may generalize to other behaviors or situations depending on the extent to which those behaviors and situations require similar skills. For example, the person able to pass up the dessert cart may also feel efficacious in passing by a bakery without walking in.

Sources of Self-Efficacy

A strong sense of efficacy can be developed in four ways: mastery experiences, vicarious learning experiences, social persuasion, and physical and emotional states.