Self-efficacy is the belief that you can successfully do something to achieve a certain goal. (Bandura, 1977). For example, a basketball player who believes they can make every free-throw shot has high self-efficacy for that skill. This belief affects your motivation and behavior in reaching your goals (Bandura, 1977). Self-efficacy is formed through different sources of information like past experiences, watching others, hearing positive feedback, and understanding your physical state (Bandura, 1997). When you have high self-efficacy, you are more likely to take on challenges, put in effort, and keep going even when it’s tough. This belief can also affect how you think and feel about your performance. Research shows that having high self-efficacy is linked to better sports performance (Feltz et al., 2008).
Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84, 191215.
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman.
Feltz, D. L., Short, S. E., & Sullivan, P. J. (2008). Self-efficacy in sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.