Expectations and Performance: An Empirical Test of Bandura's Self-efficacy Theory

Abstract

The present investigation was designed to test the predictions of Bandura's (1977) theory of self-efficacy in a competitive, motor-performance situation. Subjects (30 males and 30 females) were randomly assigned to either a high or low self-efficacy condition in a 2 × 2 × 2 (sex × self-efficacy × trials) factorial design. Self-efficacy was manipulated by having subjects compete against a confederate on a muscular leg-endurance task where the confederate was said to be either a varsity ;rack athlete who exhibited higher performance on a related task (low self-efficacy) or an individual who had a knee injury and exhibited poorer performance on a related task (high self-efficacy). Because self-efficacy theory predicts that expectation-performance differences are maximized in the face of obstacles and aversive consequences, the experiment was rigged so that subjects lost in competition to the confederate on both trials. The results supported self-efficacy predictions with the high self-efficacy subjects extending their legs significantly longer than low self-efficacy subjects. Moreover, after failing on the first trial, high self-efficacy subjects extended their legs for a longer time than low self-efficacy subjects on the second trial. A postexperimental questionnaire revealed significant differences in cognitive states (e.g., expectations, attributions, self-talk) between high and low self-efficacy subjects, as well as between males and females. Results are discussed in terms of learned helplessness and differing patterns of sex-role socialization.

Examining the sources of self-efficacy for physical activity within the sport and exercise domains

“…They found that positive feedback enhanced performance and later studies expanded to include the feedback-efficacy relationship; however, the results were somewhat inconsistent. Fitzsimmons and colleagues (Fitzsimmons, Landers, Thomas, & Van der Mars, 1991) reported positive feedback enhanced self-efficacy and subsequent performance, while Wells, Collins, and Hale (1993) found that although participants lifted more weight after false positive feedback, their self-efficacy beliefs actually decreased. These results indicated that the relationship between feedback and efficacy was not always consistent; however, the differences may have been accounted for by the variations in the degree of persuasive influence of the feedback provider, the believability of the feedback information, and methodological issues (Feltz, 1994).…”

The relation between self-efficacy and sport performance: Evidence from a sample of youth baseball players

“…To address this, some researchers have experimentally manipulated efficacy, often by varying performance comparison groups (Feltz & Riessinger, 1990;Weinberg, Gould, Yukelson, & Jackson, 198 1 ;Weinberg, Gould, & Jackson, 1979;Wilkes & Summers, 1984). However, in such research, which typically involves lab experiments, external validity becomes problematic, leading to concern about the generalizability of the findings outside the laboratory setting.…”

The Effects of Equipment Modification on Children's Self-I and Basketball Shooting Performance

“…Several studies have used self-efficacy theory to examine the relationship between self-efficacy and motor performance (Feltz, 1982;Feltz, Landers, & Raeder, 1979;McAuley, 1985;Weinberg, Gould, & Jackson, 1979;Weiss, Wiese, & Klint, 1989). These studies found that subjects who had high efficacy expectations were more successful in performance tasks than subjects with low efficacy expectations.…”