What is Self Efficacy?

Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their capacity to execute the behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments. Unlike general self-esteem (which is how you feel about yourself), self-efficacy is a functional belief in your ability to succeed in specific tasks or situations.

The concept was developed by Albert Bandura as part of social cognitive theory. His research demonstrated that people who believe they can successfully manage challenges, resist unhelpful behaviours, or cope with difficult situations are often more likely to sustain behavioural change over time.

Key Components:

Performance Outcomes: Past successes build confidence.

Vicarious Experiences: Seeing people similar to yourself succeed.

Verbal Persuasion: Encouragement from others.

Physiological States: How you interpret stress or "butterflies" (e.g., as excitement rather than fear).

Why it matters

Self-efficacy strongly influences motivation, persistence, and goal achievement. When people believe they can succeed, they are more likely to take action, persist through challenges, and maintain focus on desired outcomes.

Why This Matters in Coaching Psychology

In coaching psychology, self-efficacy is often used as both a framework for understanding behaviour change and a practical guide for coaching interventions.

A coach may explore:

– where a client already feels capable and confident

– where confidence breaks down

– how previous experiences shape current beliefs

– and what conditions help the client take effective action

Understanding a client’s level of self-efficacy can help shape goal setting, behavioural experiments, accountability, and the pace of coaching itself.

Rather than focusing only on outcomes, coaching often works to strengthen a client’s belief that they can successfully navigate challenges, learn new skills, and sustain meaningful change over time.