Enesetõhusus

Enesetõhusus, a term originating from Albert Bandura's social cognitive theory, refers to an individual's belief in their capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments. It is essentially a person's confidence in their ability to succeed in a particular situation or task. This belief influences how people think, feel, motivate themselves, and behave.

High self-efficacy is associated with greater effort, persistence in the face of obstacles, and a more positive outlook. Conversely, low self-efficacy can lead to self-doubt, avoidance of challenges, and a tendency to give up easily. Self-efficacy is not a global trait but is specific to different domains of life, such as academic performance, athletic ability, or social interactions.

Bandura identified four primary sources that contribute to the development of self-efficacy: mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, social persuasion, and physiological and emotional states. Successfully completing a task (mastery experience) is the most potent source. Observing others succeed (vicarious experience) can also raise one's own beliefs. Encouragement from others (social persuasion) can be helpful, though less impactful than direct experience. Finally, how one interprets their physical and emotional reactions to situations (physiological and emotional states) also plays a role.

Understanding and fostering self-efficacy is crucial in various fields, including education, psychology, and health, as it can significantly impact an individual's motivation, well-being, and overall achievement.