Negative Self-Efficacy and Goal Effects Revisited
Abstract
The authors address the verification of the functional properties of self-efficacy beliefs and document how self-efficacy beliefs operate in concert with goal systems within a sociocognitive theory of self-regulation in contrast to the focus of control theory on discrepancy reduction. Social cognitive theory posits proactive discrepancy production by adoption of goal challenges working in concert with reactive discrepancy reduction in realizing them. Converging evidence from diverse methodological and analytic strategies verifies that perceived self-efficacy and personal goals enhance motivation and performance attainments. The large body of evidence, as evaluated by 9 meta-analyses for the effect sizes of self-efficacy beliefs and by the vast body of research on goal setting, contradicts findings (J. B. Vancouver, C. M. Thompson, & A. A. Williams, 2001; J. B. Vancouver, C. M. Thompson, E. C. Tischner, & D. J. Putka 2002) that belief in one's capabilities and personal goals is self-debilitating.
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Encountering failure during goal pursuit triggers feelings of discouragement and undermines belief in one's ability to ultimately reach that goal.
“Encountering failure during goal pursuit triggers feelings of discouragement (Heath, Larrick and Wu 1999) and undermines belief in one's ability to ultimately reach that goal (Bandura and Locke 2003; Latham and Locke 2006).”
From On or Off Track: How (Broken) Streaks Affect Consumer Decisions (2023) · cites this paper as Bandura and Locke 2003
Attributing goal failure to one's own actions reduces self-efficacy and future goal pursuit.
“Past research suggests that attributing goal failure to one's own actions reduces self-efficacy and future goal pursuit (e.g., Bandura and Locke 2003).”
From On or Off Track: How (Broken) Streaks Affect Consumer Decisions (2023) · cites this paper as Bandura and Locke 2003
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- Authors
- Bandura, A., & Locke, E. A.
- Affiliations
- Stanford University (US)
- ORCID
- Locke, Edwin A.
- Venue
- Journal of Applied Psychology
- Published
- 2003
- Volume
- 88
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 87-99
- ISSN
- 0021-9010 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1854
- OpenAlex
- W2169724509
- Cited by
- 2,813
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 88 · 2025: 110 · 2024: 123 · 2023: 159 · 2022: 174 · 2021: 182 · 2020: 210 · 2019: 181 · 2018: 153 · 2017: 148 · 2016: 158 · 2015: 154 · 2014: 149 · 2013: 142 · 2012: 112
- FWCI
- 8.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Applied Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
- Keywords
- self-efficacy, goal setting, self-regulation, social cognitive theory, motivation, performance
- MeSH terms
- Anxiety, Cognition, Goals, Humans, Models, Psychological, Motivation, Social Behavior, Stress, Psychological, Self Efficacy
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