Self Efficacy judgements

Self efficacy judgments;


Prior task accomplishments that were successful can help one’s self efficacy with a new task. When people are presented with a new concept/ task and they use prior tasks that they were successful in order to accomplish a new goal will more likely make their goal. Personal experience is the most influential source of self efficacy (Motivation for Achievement; Alderman, Kay.)

Running a half marathon- I have ran the Bolder Boulder a few times, I run a couple times a month, but I do not consider myself a runner. However, a friend of mine last year mentioned that we should run the Colfax ½ marathon. At that moment, with the run being 6 months away I agreed to the run and registered. Before I knew it, there was only 2 months until the ½ marathon. I had been excising, doing yoga, and running occasionally but not “training”. I started to worry and doubt myself, I did not want to let my friend down and mostly I did not want to feel like a “slacker”. With the little time that was left before the race I started running more often, tracking my miles and speed etc. I also knew that I have finished the Bolder Boulder every time, running the entire way. I remember the great feeling of accomplishment after the race too. I used my previous running experiences and feelings of accomplishment when it came down to self efficacy and running the race. I believe using past experiences is an effective strategy to use motivate when learning a new idea/ concept “next step”.

Vicarious experiences are another source of self efficacy. People will base their self efficacy judgments on what they see others doing. Self efficacy through vicarious experiences will help a person to observe, notice strategies, and make note of others performance, as well as determine their self efficacy.

Water Skiing- I downhill ski and snowboard, but had never water skied. Two years ago I had the opportunity to try water skiing for the first time. I was a little anxious but not too bad, I knew water skiing couldn’t be that hard. Even though I had never got on a pair of water-skis, I was confident because I have seen others water-ski several times. Once we were on the water my cousin who had never water skied was the first one to try. Within a few tries and a couple falls my cousin was up and water-skiing. After I saw my cousin who is not a skier or snowboarder was able to water-ski I knew I could do it. Then it was my turn to try. Sure enough, after a few a attempts I was able to get up and water-ski! I knew I could do it, just by watching others and using my skiing and snowboarding as a self-efficacy tool helped too.

Verbal persuasion- “You can do it!”. According the test Motivation for Achievement; verbal persuasion is most effective when people already have some degree of evidence that shows they are capable. Verbal persuasion is widely used, but may not be as effective. It is also important to be aware of the feedback/ persuasion we provide, because it can have a detrimental effect to a person with little self efficacy.

Running- Sometimes when I run I am tired, out of breath and want to quit. However, I do not want to quit because I dislike the feeling of quitting or not finishing something. When the thought “I am so tired, maybe I should walk’” interferes with my running, it is verbal persuasion I use in order to get myself through a run. I tell myself “I can do it, I have run this before.” I also keep myself motivated by thinking about the feeling of accomplishment when my run is finally over.

Psychological State helps us read our self-efficacy and judgments. The physiological responses (i.e. sweats, heart rate, voice, twitching) one’s body gives is a good way to provide self efficacy judgment (Schunk, 1989). According to Motivation for Achievement, anxiety can interfere with self efficacy perception and performance.

Speech- When I was in college I had to give a speech in front of 300 of classmates, I was so nervous and freaking out. I practiced and practiced, I told myself I could do it and knew regardless I had to give the speech. No matter what I told myself and how much I practiced, I was still very anxious. When I gave my speech I could feel my heart pounding, my face was turning red, and my voice sounded shaky. I am sure all the physiological responses I was experiencing had to do with my self efficacy, which was lacking.