Self-efficacy refers to which of the following?

• A. How much one believes they will be successful in performing a desired behavior given abilities and the situation
• B. Past successes
• C. Relatable to the experience of others
• D. Influence from others

Answer: (A)

Self-efficacy is the belief that you can successfully perform a specific behavior in a given situation, based on your perceived abilities. It’s task-specific and future-oriented, guiding whether you start the task, how much effort you invest, and how you persist when challenges come up. Past successes can strengthen this belief, because they provide evidence you can perform, but they’re not the definition itself. Seeing others’ experiences or being influenced by others can shape your confidence, but those are separate sources of influence rather than what self-efficacy is at its core. The statement that best captures the concept is the one that emphasizes believing you will be successful in performing the desired behavior given your abilities and the situation.