Self-Efficacy Theory - Research Paper Example

Self-Efficacy Theory Summary Self-Efficacy Theory Summary Believing in one’s capability to organize and execute any of action in any situation is what can be defined as self-efficacy. It can also be an individual’s belief in their capability to prosper in any situation. The belief in themselves and their capability, some researchers think, are what leads them to behave and interact in the manner in which they do. The belief is crucial in determining how the person behaves, thinks, and feels at any point in their lives. It is believed that self-efficacy plays a significantly intricate role in everything present in an individual’s life. This ranges from their psychological well-being, to the motivation in their lives, to their behaviour (Bandura, 1977). This is in relation to their immediate environment. This paper will review the role that self-efficacy has had on many individuals, and the environment that they dwell in. The personalised ideas that an individual has can affect the manner in which they socially interact in everyday life. This is as seen earlier. Getting to understand how to promote the growth of self-efficacy can lead to the realization that it fosters positive psychology in individuals. This is since it can promote leading a better, and more fulfilling life by individuals who practice it (Bandura, 1988). Psychologists believe that the stronger the self-efficacy in an individual, the stronger and more active their efforts in everything they try to achieve. Ways in which Self-Efficacy can be increased Self-efficacy can be increased in any individual’s life. This is through some methods that have been researched. They have been proven to increase an individual’s performance abilities. One of the ways in which it can be increased is through verbal persuasion. Through persuasion and self-instruction, people are led to believe they could accomplish anything successfully. It is considered the least strong of all methods of increasing self-efficacy (Bandura, Caprara, & Barbaranelli, 2001). Since it is not based on the grounds of personal experience, past failures can be a hindrance to its impact on self-efficacy. Emotional arousal can also be a method to increase self-efficacy. The reduction of different emotional levels, for example, stress, fear can increase the ability to performance. These emotions have been proved to reduce performance in individuals. By allowing individuals to deal with these emotional factors, they could be better placed to deal with their performance when doing something (Bandura, Caprara, & Barbaranelli, 2001). The reduction of these factors may lead individuals to enjoy increased self-belief, hence, increased and better performance. Through vicarious experience/modelling, one gets the courage to try out challenging activities. Watching someone else tackle challenging situations without adverse effects can lead to the increase in self-belief. This is another way in which self-efficacy can be increased. Another way in which self-efficacy can be increased is through enactive mastery. That is, through personal achievements, an individual may get the self-confidence to do anything. Experiencing success may lead to certain expectations that, in turn, lead someone into believing they have the capability to do anything. Repeated behaviour that characterizes success can lead to a build-up of strong efficacy (Bandura, Caprara, & Barbaranelli, 2001). In behavioural outcomes, self-efficacy has surpassed all other motivational constructs. This means that it is best placed to predict human behaviour when in a given situation. In self-efficacy, it all comes down to one’s belief in the abilities they have, and not the abilities or capabilities one may exhibit (Bono & Judge, 2003). 1st Section: Claims Advanced by the Self-Efficacy Theory There have been claims that have been advanced by the theory in question. Among them being the self-reflection claim. This claim suggests that people can make sense of their own life experiences if they get to acquire self-efficacy. When an individual gets to thinking about their experiences, they reflect on the things that they might have done right or wrong. This then makes them alter the way they think and even relate to others (Kwak & Bandura, 1998). Engaging in self-evaluation can change the manner in which people behave. This can be done for the betterment of the individual’s life. The beliefs behind human thinking provide for a forum where they can find the momentum for human motivation. This motivation they construct in order to engage themselves in activities they can benefit from. When a person believes that their actions are likely to produce exceptional results, then they are likely to be more motivated. This is the most likely reflection that makes them change their attitude, and behaviour about something (Miller & Dollard, 1941). In these circumstances, they may be more willing to persevere when challenges come along. Another claim brought on by the theory could be that it is a social construct. This is where a certain group of individuals have the sense of belief that they are capable of doing anything that is possible (Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995). Goals and tasks can be accomplished in this manner due to the strength that the group puts into it. Conducive environment has to be created in order for these tasks to be carried out, so the desired results can be attained. If a person has low self-efficacy, they are bound to lose confidence in themselves hence lose track of their goals easily. Those who have a strong sense of self-efficacy can boast of having the ability to recover quickly from setbacks, and disappointment. 2nd Section: Research that Tests the Claims of the Theory Motivation, being a key factor in the testing of this theory, has led to the use of various ways to test the claim. People have been placed in positions where they are knowingly subjected to different environments that require them to adapt. The end results are what determine what the individuals will do in order to fulfil their requirements. The promise of incentives makes them strive harder to achieve the set goals and targets. This gets to show that in any given environment, given the right incentives, an individual is able and willing to set their mind to the task at hand. The self-efficacy on motivation here is based on what the individuals believe in. The belief that the tasks provided are possible, and the promise of reward makes them adapt to that environment (Dormann, 2006). The main idea of incentives being brought into the equation can brings a different dimension altogether. The individual will be eager to work and get the reward as promised. If there was no definite way to know what they might be working for, then it would not be easy to make them realise their targets. In every claim, a negative side to it has to be present. In the motivation, individuals are depicted as being selfish. They, therefore, require incentives to work (Dormann, 2006). This shows that they cannot work without being pushed to realise their goals and targets. In self-reflection, another problem can arise. If individuals are noted to have a weak sense of self-efficacy, it is highly likely that whatever it is they do cannot be up to standard. They often think they are not worthy of any challenge that goes their way. Avoiding them due to the fear of failure would be something familiar to them. This brings in another problem on lack of self-belief. Their capability to perform certain tasks that are hard is beyond them (Ormrod, 1999). The research carried out can prove that when they are faced with challenges, they do not make it out as they should. Their personal shortcomings are what they look at. The realization that they are of no use makes them even more useless. They lack the ability to bounce back from failure and disappointment. It becomes habitual, and the most they can do is get consumed by their own self-pity. If the belief that people can succeed arises among people, they tend to believe that they can do anything. They, therefore, tend to use it to their advantage. Positive words and encouragement can boost an individual’s self-efficacy and help them realise their dreams (Jernigan, 2000). Research in self-efficacy has moved into diverse areas. These include fields such as medicine, business, athletics, the media, and even politics. Psychology has largely benefitted from self-efficacy (Mischel & Shoda, 1995). This is in terms of studies that relate to that field. Examples include; the treatment of phobias, improvement of social skills, cessation of smoking behaviours, and the development of individuals morally. They all depend on self-efficacy which tries to figure out how to help individuals overcome the problems they face in their lives. The prominence of self-efficacy has been evident in the fields that have a hand in career development, problem solving, and also teaching (Jernigan, 2000). Researchers have identified that self-efficacy can be the best predictor of behaviour. When an individual is presented with a situation, it is likely that they will all go for something that may be of benefit to them. In this instance, self-efficacy can predict what best scenario the individual may place themselves just so that they can gain something. 3rd Section: Relevance of the Theory to Health Care Management The health care system has vastly benefitted from the self-efficacy theory. This is in terms of the theory serving as a framework which studies the efficacy expectations. Management in the health care sector has improved in the wake of increased self-efficacy. Employees and employers alike are willing to take that extra mile in ensuring that they try out something new. This is in terms of ensuring that there patients and the organization which they run get the best form of treatment possible. The theory can be used to provide a base for all this to be looked for since it looks for the behavioural performance of all those involved to aid in making them better (Shwarzer, 2008). In the promotion of health education, the model of self-efficacy has been used on numerous occasions. Management in the health care sector which provides for guided experience and feedback on the performance of employees increases the self-efficacy in the organization. This is for all those involved. Self-efficacy has been the manner in which the health care system is going about improving the lives of people (Conner & Norman, 2005). Self-efficacy has been influential in helping health care managers and directors develop and implement health promotion programs. In many instances, the theory advocates for the maintenance of health, promoting healthy style of living, counselling and offering consultations. Through self-efficacy, managers are capable of assigning their employees work that does not necessarily require supervision. Instructive guidance and support enables managers and directors in the health field to govern their employees without too much struggle. The presence of organizational structures is able to build a manager’s self-efficacy. They opt to operate as promoters of productive and effective teamwork (Conner & Norman, 2005). Efficacy beliefs do not necessarily affect the employers of a health care organization alone. Their willingness to accept change automatically increases the chances of their employees’ acceptance of self-belief. Managers need to have a high sense of self-efficacy. This is in line with the work they do. In the health care sector, for example, a manager in a health organization with a low sense of self0efficacy is likely to be burdened by the tasks required by the job. They may, therefore, end up being emotionally and physically drained. This is unlike managers who have a high sense of self-efficacy who stand a lower chance of being stressed with work related issues (Conner & Norman, 2005). They bring the benefits for all those involved to see them and make a choice. Managers with a resilient sense of efficacy can cope with the strain that accompanies the health care sector. It is, therefore, an enormous task for managers, and directors alike to adopt a more positive attitude in the manner in which they run their organizations. In doing so, they stand a chance of having the most powerful tool that is required in making decisions in the organization, and that is, self-belief. 4th Section: State of the Theoretical Tradition In respect to the time from inception, the theory has grown over the years. It has gained recognition from all fields that need its use. The fields discussed need the self-efficacy theory so as to gain the benefits that are brought on by it. During its inception, it was not known what purpose it would serve, but over the years, it has shown its purpose. Researchers that have been present have used it, and the results are known and can be proven. With its role in therapeutic change, in behaviour among those that have used it, it is being used more in the medical field (Conner & Norman, 2005). Psychologists have, and continue to take advantage of this theory. The health care field benefits largely since all those that seek this approach reap the benefits (Heider, 1958). Self-efficacy is a construct that exists both socially, and personally. Over the decades, people have gotten to realise that it is better to believe in their own capabilities. The negative attitude, or aura associated with failing has been proven to limit one’s ability to perform. One cannot perform best to their ability when the possibility of failure is so evident. The theory suggests that people have a positive mind set, and things will go their way. Improvement over the years over the working of this social construct has been made possible with the help of researchers (Hsu & Chiu, 2004). They aim to find out what exactly restraints someone from thinking positively. Methods are continuously being devised to ensure that people make the best of their abilities. It is the belief in the capability to make something happen that makes it possible. Without this belief, researchers conclude, is that all things tried are in vain. In conclusion, to enable individuals overcome the fear of doing things, it is best they be introduced to this theory. Many fail not because they lack the ability to do something, but the lack of belief in their ability to do something successfully. Over the years, it has become essential for individuals to trust their ability to overcome the challenges that come their way. The beliefs in their capabilities have increased. There are those who have overcome certain habits in the lives, surpassed phobias, and improved their social skills through believing. If the world gets to realise this, it is highly likely that everyone would be going for what they want, and eventually, getting what they truly desire. References Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioural change. London: Sage Publishers. 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