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In this paper self-efficacy is reviewed and used to predict or explain academic achievement and motivation. Bandura defines self-efficacy as “the judgments an individual makes related to his or her ability to successfully learn and perform a task” (Bandura, 1982). According to self-efficacy theorists, what a person believes about their capabilities influences their motivation and as a result, determines the instigation, direction, effort and persistence of their future actions (Bandura, 1982 & Schunk, 1983). Individuals acquire information to estimate their self-efficacy from four basic factors which include; performance, observational experiences, forms of persuasion and psychological reactions. When considering performance a student will first appraise the task difficulty, past success or failure, amount of effort, amount of assistance and persistence needed. Overall performances, which result in success, will increase efficacy while experiences of failure will decrease efficacy. A person who has established a strong sense of his or her own efficacy will tend to set higher goals and stick with them through greater difficulties. As a result, this person will more readily accept challenges to perform without feeling threatened.
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