Personality Theory

3.2 Discussion. Exploring Self-Efficacy

Getting Started

Psychologist Albert Bandura has been a pioneer in helping us better understand the concept of self-efficacy. A basic definition of self-efficacy is: a person’s belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a given task. In other words, it’s your perception of whether you think you can accomplish a particular task that matters most. For example, let’s say people routinely tell you how good you are at tennis and encourage you to sign up for tournaments. But you don’t see yourself as the competitive type. You don’t see the same potential in yourself that others do. So, you restrict your play to recreational tennis with friends.

In this example, it’s not your ability that restricts you but, rather, your perception of your ability. When you have low self-efficacy, you don’t strive to achieve your optimal potential but only what you perceive you are capable of, which may be well below your actual potential.

Two concepts that are similar to self-efficacy are “grit” and a “growth mindset.” Grit refers to a person’s ability to persevere amid adversity. Having a growth mindset allows you to see obstacles and adversity as challenges that have solutions.

If you put these three concepts together, you get a powerful combination of forces. These approaches enable you to see your true potential, persevere beyond obstacles, and find important solutions to problems in your life. The result: your confidence grows, as does your ability to succeed in what you attempt.

Later in this course, you will have the opportunity to write a Philosophy of Life, Work and Personal Growth Paper that will help you explore your own values, worldview, and theory of personal growth and personality development. As you begin to learn more about self-efficacy, grit, and mindset, you may also think about how these concepts and other that you learn from your readings in this course might help you articulate your own beliefs about life, work, and human growth.

In this discussion, you will have the opportunity to explore all three of these ideas as you reflect upon and share some of your experiences. You also have the unique ability to learn how others in the course are navigating their self-limiting beliefs or how they are persevering beyond the challenges they face.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Explore the concept of self-efficacy as it pertains to life experience.

Resources

· Textbook:  Personality Psychology: Understanding Yourself and Others

· Video & Transcript: The Key to Success? Grit

· Video & Transcript: The Power of Believing You Can Improve

· Website: Academic Writer

· Website: OCLS Evaluating Sources Page

Background Information

Before participating in the discussion, view the two videos: “The Key to Success? Grit,” and “The Power of Believing You Can Improve.” These videos are an excellent introduction to the concepts of grit and the growth mindset. The reading from Chapter 5 of your course textbook will give you more information about self-efficacy.

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.

2. Read Chapter 5 in your textbook.

3. Watch the videos:

a. The Key to Success? Grit  (6:09 min)

i. Transcript of "The Key..." video .

b. The Power of Believing You Can Improve  (10:21 min)

i. Transcript of "The Power..." video .

4. Navigate to the discussion topic and respond to the following:

a. Provide an example from your own life where you exhibited high self-efficacy. Explain the situation in some detail.

b. Explain another situation where you exhibited low self-efficacy.

c. What do you see as the possible relationship between grit and a growth mindset and high self-efficacy?

d. Give an example from your own life that shows how you exemplified a growth mindset or a situation (like in completing the MA in Psychology program) where, if given the opportunity to do it again, you would apply a growth mindset to achieve a different outcome.

5. Your initial post should be between 400 and 500 words.

6. Your initial post is due by the end of the fourth day of the workshop.

7. Read and respond to at least two of your classmates' postings, as well as instructor follow-up questions directed to you, by the end of the workshop.

8. All references and citations should be in APA format.

a. For information on how to cite sources and format a paper properly, review the  Academic Writer  website or the OCLS  APA Style Page .

b. For information on the criteria for credible Internet research websites, review the  OCLS Evaluating Sources page .

9. Your postings should also:

a. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.

b. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.