What is Self-Efficacy?

Self-efficacy is a psychological term used to describe the confidence an individual has in achieving a certain goal or desired outcome. Unlike self-esteem, which is focused more on overall life satisfaction and self-worth, self-efficacy focuses on what an individual believes about their own capabilities and potential. It is an important element in an individual’s social and emotional well-being. Self-efficacy has been linked to an individual’s ability to make positive and healthy lifestyle choices, as well as the ability to self-regulate their emotions and behaviour.

Understanding Self-Efficacy

Self-efficacy is a belief in one’s own ability to achieve a certain outcome. This belief is not about the actual goal itself but rather the belief that the individual has the will power, motivation, and discipline to accomplish it. It is shaped by an individual’s own experiences, successes and failures, as well as by the feedback they receive from their environment and society. An individual’s self-efficacy affects their decision-making and behaviour, their goals, and their ability to stay focused and determined in the face of obstacles.

Developing Self-Efficacy

It is possible to develop self-efficacy skills and to improve the level of self-efficacy one has in any given task or goal. It involves the individual reflecting on their own past experiences, successes, and failures in order to identify areas where progress can be made. It can also involve exploring the feedback one receives from their environment and society as well as seeking support from family and friends. Finally, it may involve setting achievable goals and taking small steps to complete them, reducing the risk of overwhelming oneself and making it more feasible to focus on the task at hand.

Self-efficacy is a key factor in an individual’s social and emotional well-being, as it directly influences their decision-making and goal setting. Being aware of one’s own self-efficacy and how it affects an individual’s behaviour is key to understanding and managing one’s emotions and behaviour, as well as creating and achieving positive goals.