The DOI matches its Crossref record; 90 of the 90 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Self-efficacy mechanism in human agency
Abstract
This article addresses the centrality of the self-efficacy mechanism in human agency. Self-per- cepts of efficacy influence thought patterns, actions, and emotional arousal. In causal tests the higher the level of induced self-efficacy, the higher the perfor- mance accomplishments and the lower the emotional arousal. Different lines of research are reviewed, show- ing that the self-efficacy mechanism may have wide explanatory power. Perceived self-efficacy helps to ac- count for such diverse phenomena as changes in coping behavior produced by different modes of influence, level of physiological stress reactions, self-regulation of refractory behavior, resignation and despondency to failure experiences, self-debilitating effects of proxy control and illusory inefficaciousness, achievement strivings, growth of intrinsic interest, and career pur- suits. The influential role of perceived collective effi- cacy in social change is analyzed, as are the social con- ditions conducive to development of collective inefficacy. Psychological theorizing and research tend to cen- ter on issues concerning either acquisition of knowledge or execution of response patterns. As a result the processes governing the interrelation- ship between knowledge and action have been largely neglected (Newell, 1978). Some of the re- cent efforts to bridge this gap have been directed at the biomechanics problem—how efferent com- mands of action plans guide the production of ap- propriate response patterns (Stelmach, 1976,1978). Others have approached the matter in terms of algorithmic knowledge, which furnishes guides for executing action sequences (Greeno, 1973; Newell, 1973). ,
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In the citing paper
“we found that higher-and lower-rank employees described adaptive moves directed toward aspects of their work (or home) where they felt they had more efficacy and control.”
From Perceiving and responding to challenges in job crafting at different ranks: When proactivity requires adaptivity (2010) · cites this paper as Bandura, 1982
In the citing paper
“According to SCT, efficacy beliefs develop from individuals’ integration of professional competence and their appraisal of task complexity (Bandura, 1982).”
From AI teaching innovation behavior among college teachers: a structural equation modeling analysis based on the AI-TPACK framework, teaching self-efficacy, professional identity, and AI literacy (2026) · cites this paper as Bandura, 1982
In the citing paper
“From the perspective of SCT, self-efficacy influences how individuals appraise task difficulty, invest effort, and persist when facing obstacles (Bandura, 1982).”
From AI teaching innovation behavior among college teachers: a structural equation modeling analysis based on the AI-TPACK framework, teaching self-efficacy, professional identity, and AI literacy (2026) · cites this paper as Bandura, 1982
In the citing paper
“From the perspective of SCT, behavior depends not only on internal beliefs and identity but also on experiential feedback (Bandura, 1982).”
From AI teaching innovation behavior among college teachers: a structural equation modeling analysis based on the AI-TPACK framework, teaching self-efficacy, professional identity, and AI literacy (2026) · cites this paper as Bandura, 1982
In the citing paper
“Por outro lado, fortalecer a auto-eficácia de resistir ao uso de álcool diminui a probabilidade de recaídas.”
From Terapia cognitivo-comportamental de transtornos de abuso de álcool e drogas (2008) · cites this paper as [12]
In the citing paper
“O conceito de auto-eficácia 11,12 propõe que as pessoas tendem a repetir certos comportamentos quando acreditam em sua capacidade pessoal de desempenhar corretamente esses comportamentos.”
From Terapia cognitivo-comportamental de transtornos de abuso de álcool e drogas (2008) · cites this paper as [12]
In the citing paper
“Self-efficacy, in turn, is a critical antecedent of approach motivation (Bandura, 1982).”
From The mnemonic mover: Nostalgia regulates avoidance and approach motivation (2014) · cites this paper as Bandura, 1982
In the citing paper
“These variables have known negative relationships with depression [106,107] and may make gamification less effective.”
From Examining the effectiveness of gamification in mental health apps for depression: Systematic review and meta-analysis (2021) · cites this paper as [107]
In the citing paper
“Self-efficacy beliefs can influence choice of activities, preparation for an activity, effort expended during performance, as well as thought patterns and emotional reactions”
From The theory of planned behavior (1991) · cites this paper as Bandura, 1982
In the citing paper
“The present view of perceived behavioral control, however, is most compatible with Bandura's (1977Bandura's ( , 1982) ) concept of perceived self-efficacy”
From The theory of planned behavior (1991) · cites this paper as Bandura, 1982
In the citing paper
“Within the social cognitive framework, efficacy beliefs have diverse effects on cognitive, motivational, affective and selection processes [19], [20].”
Citations
Cites
Kytle, J., & Bandura, A. (1978) · Contemporary Sociology · doi:10.2307/2065952 · Cited by 25,422
Self-citationSelf-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change
Bandura, A. (1978) · Advances in Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/0146-6402(78)90002-4 · Cited by 10,586
Self-citation(1975) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 7,245
Learned helplessness in humans: Critique and reformulation.
Abramson, L. Y., Seligman, M. E., & Teasdale, J. D. (1978) · Journal of Abnormal Psychology · doi:10.1037//0021-843x.87.1.49 · Cited by 7,121
Helplessness: On Depression, Development, and Death
Seligman, M. E. P. (1975) · CERN Document Server (European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Cited by 6,181
Bem, D. J. (1972) · Advances in Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/s0065-2601(08)60024-6 · Cited by 5,241
Motivation reconsidered: The concept of competence.
White, R. W. (1963) · Scott, Foresman eBooks · doi:10.1037/14156-005 · Cited by 4,835
Aggression: A Social Learning Analysis
Bandura, A. (1973) · Stanford Law Review · doi:10.2307/1227918 · Cited by 4,302
Self-citationPower and Interdependence: World Politics In Transition
Keohane, R. O., & Nye, J. S. (2017) · The SHAFR Guide Online · doi:10.1163/2468-1733_shafr_sim280020670 · Cited by 3,072
Cultivating competence, self-efficacy, and intrinsic interest through proximal self-motivation.
Bandura, A., & Schunk, D. H. (1981) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.41.3.586 · Cited by 2,675
Self-citation
Cited by
Sorted by citations
The theory of planned behavior
Ajzen, I. (1991) · Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes · doi:10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-t · Cited by 90,587
Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology
Davis, F. D. (1989) · MIS Quarterly · doi:10.2307/249008 · Cited by 68,483
User Acceptance of Computer Technology: A Comparison of Two Theoretical Models
Davis, F. D., Bagozzi, R. P., & Warshaw, P. R. (1989) · Management Science · doi:10.1287/mnsc.35.8.982 · Cited by 25,709
From Intentions to Actions: A Theory of Planned Behavior
Ajzen, I. (1985) · Action Control · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-69746-3_2 · Cited by 19,057
Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007) · Review of Educational Research · doi:10.3102/003465430298487 · Cited by 12,905
Metadata
- Authors
- Bandura, A.
- Affiliations
- Stanford University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Bandura, Albert
- Venue
- American Psychologist
- Published
- 1982-02
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 122-147
- ISSN
- 0003-066X (ISSN-L)
- 1935-990X
- OpenAlex
- W1982210139
- Cited by
- 15,975
- References
- 90
- Citations by year
- 2026: 517 · 2025: 588 · 2024: 594 · 2023: 725 · 2022: 722 · 2021: 842 · 2020: 869 · 2019: 760 · 2018: 594 · 2017: 617 · 2016: 636 · 2015: 731 · 2014: 644 · 2013: 610 · 2012: 591
- FWCI
- 149.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Psychologist (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Keywords
- self-efficacy, human agency, emotional arousal, mastery experiences, coping styles, self-regulation, achievement striving, intrinsic interest, collective efficacy, social change, knowledge and action, algorithmic knowledge
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