self-efficacy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Academic
Quick answer
What does “self-efficacy” mean?
The belief in one's own ability to successfully execute specific behaviours and achieve desired outcomes in particular situations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The belief in one's own ability to successfully execute specific behaviours and achieve desired outcomes in particular situations.
A psychological construct describing an individual's confidence in their capacity to exert control over their own motivation, behaviour, and social environment, influencing the choices made, effort expended, and persistence in the face of obstacles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Spelling remains identical. More prevalent in academic writing in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a clinical, precise, positive connotation. In popular usage, it can sometimes be misunderstood as a synonym for self-esteem.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American academic texts, given the origin of the term's populariser (Bandura), but widely used and understood in British academia and professional contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “self-efficacy” in a Sentence
have the self-efficacy to + VERBself-efficacy in + NOUN (e.g., maths, communication)self-efficacy for + GERUND (e.g., for managing stress)lack of self-efficacyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “self-efficacy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No verb form exists. Use verbs like 'believe in one's ability'.
- You cannot 'self-efficacy' something.
American English
- No verb form exists. Use verbs like 'feel capable of'.
- The term does not function as a verb.
adverb
British English
- self-efficaciously (extremely rare, not recommended).
- Effectively or confidently are preferred.
American English
- self-efficaciously (theoretically possible but virtually unused).
- Use 'with high self-efficacy' or 'confidently' instead.
adjective
British English
- efficacious (general), self-efficacious (rare but possible in academic contexts). 'A self-efficacious learner persists.'
- She displayed a self-efficacious mindset.
American English
- self-efficacious (technical). 'High self-efficacious individuals set challenging goals.'
- The model predicts self-efficacious behaviour.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR, coaching, and leadership to discuss employee capability and empowerment, e.g., 'The training aims to boost sales teams' self-efficacy.'
Academic
Core term in psychology, education, and social sciences. 'The study examined the correlation between parental support and adolescent self-efficacy.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. May appear in self-help or popular psychology articles. 'Building self-efficacy is key to sticking to new habits.'
Technical
A precisely defined construct in behavioural psychology and social cognitive theory, often measured with validated scales.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “self-efficacy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “self-efficacy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “self-efficacy”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a high self-efficacy' – incorrect).
- Confusing it with general 'self-confidence'.
- Omitting the hyphen.
- Mispronunciation: stressing 'self' and 'effi' equally, rather than primary stress on 'eff'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Self-esteem is a global evaluation of self-worth, while self-efficacy is a belief about one's capabilities in specific domains or tasks.
Yes. Self-efficacy is dynamic and can be developed through mastery experiences, vicarious learning, verbal persuasion, and managing physiological states.
The concept was central to psychologist Albert Bandura's social cognitive theory, which he developed and popularised from the late 1970s onward.
It is a formal, academic term from psychology. It may appear in professional or self-help contexts but is not typical in casual everyday conversation.
The belief in one's own ability to successfully execute specific behaviours and achieve desired outcomes in particular situations.
Self-efficacy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌself ˈef.ɪ.kə.si/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌself ˈef.ə.kə.si/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A can-do attitude (informal approximate)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SELF-EFFICACY = SELF + EFFICACY. Think: 'Efficacy' means effectiveness. 'Self-efficacy' is your belief in your own effectiveness at a specific task.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CAPACITY/TOOL (e.g., 'building self-efficacy'), A SCALE/LEVEL (e.g., 'high/low self-efficacy'), A SEED (e.g., 'cultivating self-efficacy').
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate definition of 'self-efficacy'?