Social Self-Efficacy

In Alexandre Dumas’ famous maxim, “One for all, and all for one” rests the self-efficacy of the “one” as an individualistic sense of personal capability that is established within a specific sphere.  This differs from both self-esteem, which is related to self-worth and personal judgments, and self-concept which is a composite self-image acquired from the views of others. 

 Self-efficacy can be a more consistent predictor of behavioral outcomes than any other motivational constructs.  Bandura, (1995) states that self-efficacy refers to, “beliefs in one’s capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to manage prospective situations.”  These beliefs contribute to the underpinnings for human motivation, well-being, and personal accomplishment .

Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) asserts that cognitive, self-regulatory, and self-reflective processes are central to human adaptation and change.  Traditionally, many mental health and behavioral theories are informed, developed, and often tested in white middle-class populations, frequently focusing on cognitive behaviors.  The assumptions of a shared “norm” and rationality, in practice, results in these applications being inappropriately applied to multicultural societies which are ethnically and economically different.

SCT suggests that self-efficacy regulates human functioning, enabling individuals to predict and develop ways to control circumstances through; 1) cognition (enabling methods to control events), 2) motivation (contributing to self-regulation), 3) affect (influencing reactions in difficult situations), and 4) selection (choosing the types of activities or environments). 

However, the benefits of self-efficacy are developed through interpreting information from four sources: (a) mastery experience, (b) vicarious experience and modeling, (c) social persuasion, and (d) physical and emotional states.  High levels of perceived self-efficacy are believed to be related to positive experiences in each of these areas.

In application, individuals from collectivist cultures appeared to express higher levels of efficacy beliefs when they are working with an in-group.  Conversely, individualist performed best, and expressed higher levels of self-efficacy beliefs, when working alone.  Some individuals, in certain cultural settings, may choose to guide their lives by their beliefs of collective efficacy in place of self-efficacy, more like Mr. Spock’s, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” — FB

References

Burke, N. J., Bird, J. A., Clark, M. A., Rakowski, W., Guerra, C., Barker, J. C., & Pasick, R. J. (2009). Social and cultural meanings of self-efficacy. Health Education & Behavior, 36(5_suppl), 111S–128S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198109338916

Klassen, R. M. (2004). Optimism and realism: A review of self-efficacy from a cross-cultural perspective. International Journal of Psychology, 39(3), 205–230. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207590344000330

Lopez, S. J., Jennifer, T. P., & Snyder, C. R. (2018). Positive psychology: The scientific and practical explorations of human strengths (4th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.