Negative self-efficacy and goal effects revisited.

Full Abstract

The authors address the verification of the functional properties of self-efficacy beliefs and document how self-efficacy beliefs operate in concert with goal systems within a sociocognitive theory of self-regulation in contrast to the focus of control theory on discrepancy reduction. Social cognitive theory posits proactive discrepancy production by adoption of goal challenges working in concert with reactive discrepancy reduction in realizing them. Converging evidence from diverse methodological and analytic strategies verifies that perceived self-efficacy and personal goals enhance motivation and performance attainments. The large body of evidence, as evaluated by 9 meta-analyses for the effect sizes of self-efficacy beliefs and by the vast body of research on goal setting, contradicts findings (J. B. Vancouver, C. M. Thompson, & A. A. Williams, 2001; J. B. Vancouver, C. M. Thompson, E. C. Tischner, & D. J. Putka 2002) that belief in one's capabilities and personal goals is self-debilitating.

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Author information

Author/s: Bandura, Albert (A); Locke, Edwin A (EA);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stanford University, California 94305-2130, USA. bandura(-atsign-)psych.stanford.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comment; Journal Article; Meta-Analysis; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The Journal of applied psychology (J Appl Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Feb; vol 88 (issue 1) : pp 87-99

Dates: Created 2003/04/04; Completed 2003/04/15; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12675397, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentOn: J Appl Psychol. 2001 Aug;86(4):605-20. (PMID: 11519645)

CommentOn: J Appl Psychol. 2002 Jun;87(3):506-16. (PMID: 12090608)

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