Self-efficacy: a predictor but not a cause of behavior

J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 1992 Dec;23(4):251-6. doi: 10.1016/0005-7916(92)90047-m.

Abstract

The concept of self-efficacy, as expounded by Bandura as part of his Social Cognitive Theory, has made considerable impact in the psychological literature. It is argued that self-efficacy is a useful hypothetical construct for predicting behavior, but it has no valid claim to being a cause of behavior. Claims for self-efficacy as a causal agent have failed to acknowledge that self-efficacy itself is an epi-phenomenon of performance. Conventional learning theory explanations of observed performance levels are shown to be more parsimonious than accounts relying on the concept of self-efficacy.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Behavior Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Personality Development*
  • Self Concept*
  • Social Behavior*