Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control

by Albert Bandura

Book Overview

With over 20 years of research by renowned psychologist, Albert Bandura, Self-Efficacy articulates his theory that believing one can achieve what one sets out to do results in a healthier, more effective, and generally more successful life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0716728508
• ISBN13: 9780716728504
• Release Date: February 1997
• Publisher: Worth Publishers
• Length: 624 Pages
• Weight: 2.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Understanding the importance of self-efficacy

This book is well written, easy to understand, and provides the reader with an understanding of what self-efficacy is and why it is important. Great as a text book. Offers the most comprehensive overview of self-efficacy.

Brief Introduction to Bandura's Self-Efficacy

Bandura's conceptualization - his take or spin on - psychological phenomena is (in my opinion) the most agent-friendly and self-empowering. It's been over a decade since Albert Bandura's book "Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control" (hereafter SE) has been published. What's annoying is how little Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory seems to have permeated popular culture, despite the fact that there is an impressive amount of empirical evidence to support the explanatory linkages between "perceived self-efficacy" and human behavior, in particular, "performance attaintments". (This review is not intended to be a comprehensive survey of SE. Instead, what I offer the reader is a brief but detailed explication of some of the major theoretical concepts of SE, emphasizing Bandura's explanatorily powerful notion of a self-efficacy BELIEF. Let me clarify what I mean by "explanatorily powerful". First, this concept has an impressive range of application to any domain of human life which can be thought of as an activity over which we exercise some (voluntary) control. In other words, self-efficacy beliefs can regarded as determinants, not of involuntary bodily movements, but over any domain which falls into the phenomena studied by philosophers of ACTION. (Human actions can be understood as a sub-class of goal-oriented behavior -- "sub-class" because not all goal-oriented behavior is subject to human choice or control (e.g., the autonomic physiological processes of natural organisms are goal-directed). For present purposes, when there ARE features of an environment, social or natural, such that THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE EXERCISE OF HUMAN CONTROL, then it makes sense conceptually to use the construct of perceived (self) efficacy to explain behavior in that environment or domain of activity. Sports, health, interpersonal relationships, occupational activities, business relations, and scientific pursuits--all of these are domains in which people - you and I - have to produce performances of various kinds, not as helpless spectatorial automatons, but as COGNITIVE AGENTS. SE refers to the "self-efficacy" component of a larger theory which is called **Social Cognitive Theory**--"cognitive" because it holds that BELIEFS (i.e., cognitions) "mediate" (i.e., "determine," for simplicity's sake) affective (emotional) and somatic (i.e., physiological) states and behavior--"social" because psychological phenomena are determined by the structures (social and natural) which environ human beings. Bandura does not buy into the notion of a isolated, self-contained, private domain of "internal" phenomena which are causally out of reach from external, i.e., environmental influences. It follows from this, that to understand one's own psychological states, necessary reference to one's historical workplace, the current social structures in which one lives one's life must be taken into consideration. In this context, it would be well to introduce probably THE most

A magnificent volume

In this volume, Professor Bandura situates the self-efficacy construct within a theory of personal and collective agency that operates in concert with other sociocognitive factors in regulating human well-being and attainment. Bandura also addresses the major facets of agency - the nature and structure of self-efficacy beliefs, their origins and effects, the processes through which such self-beliefs operate, and the modes by which they can be created and strengthened. In addition, Bandura reviews a vast body of research on each of these aspects of agency in diverse applications of the theory. Must-reading for everyone interested in psychology and, specifically, self-efficacy beliefs.

A significant contribution to the field of psychology.

Albert Bandura explores the self-system throughout lifespan. Self-regulation and perceived self-efficacy help people to adjust to realities of each life's stage, from early childhood till aging and preparation to death.Perceived self-efficacy refers to beliefs in one's capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to produce given attainments. I have found this book very helpful and well structured. Bandura gives a broad hint to the reader, and offers answers to some of the most important and advanced issues that each of us encounters during life. The book stimulates a better awareness of humans' potentials, and encourages to rivisit our constructs.Bandura's study on self-efficacy is supported by the citation of 47 pages of references. It is highly consistent and fascinating; and this book is an outstanding tool for improving our quality of life.

Bandura 's Self-Efficacy Helps Understand Human Nature

Dr. Bandura has written an excellent book for scholars, researchers, as well as the casual observer of human nature and behavior. It is comprehensive and well documented. He helps one understand why some people seem to get what they want and need out of life and others do not. I give it my highest recommendation.