self-efficacy

[self-ef-i-kuh-see]

noun

1. Psychology, Psychiatry.,  a person's belief in their own ability to succeed at a particular task or goal.

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-efficacy¹

First recorded in 1645–55, for an earlier sense; coined in 1977 by Canadian-American psychologist Albert Bandura (1925–2021), for the current sense

Example Sentences

Stewart’s career and life have been anything but easy, but her story is ultimately a masterclass in grit, perseverance and self-efficacy.

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"When an adult steps in and completes a task for a young child, it can deprive the child of an opportunity to learn how to complete the task by themselves, which potentially harms their ability to develop self-efficacy, autonomy, and other important life skills," said lead author Reut Shachnai, a graduate student in Yale's Department of Psychology.

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For my mom, it was an exercise in self-efficacy.

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It’s his one source of self-esteem, self-efficacy and pride.

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A University of Adelaide study found females, people with low self-efficacy, reluctant exercisers, higher academic achievers, and those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage are all most at risk of failing to establish regular exercise patterns during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood.

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