Psychology MCAT Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide for Aspiring Psychologists.

Self-efficacy, as conceptualized by Albert Bandura, is defined as the belief in one’s abilities to succeed in specific situations or accomplish particular tasks. This construct emphasizes the individual's confidence in their capabilities and is crucial in determining how they approach challenges, set goals, and persist in the face of difficulties. High self-efficacy encourages individuals to take on difficult tasks and to maintain their efforts, while low self-efficacy can lead to avoidance of challenges and a sense of helplessness.

For example, a student with high self-efficacy in mathematics is likely to tackle complex problems, believe in their ability to succeed, and recover from setbacks in learning, while a student with low self-efficacy may shy away from math-related tasks and doubt their competence in that area. This belief plays a significant role in motivation and behavior across various domains, including education, health, and personal development.