Lavonen and Laaksonen (2009) compared Finnish students’ affective domain
measurements in PISA to other student’ measurements in other OECD countries and
calculated a regression model which predict the students’ performance in PISA. An
important affective variable in PISA is self-efficacy which refers to the confidence students
have in their abilities that they can successfully perform a particular task (Bandura, 1997).
If a student believes he or she is unable to succeed in a task, this perception may lead to
lower grades or an avoidance of science courses (Bandura, 1986). Finnish students’ beliefs about Self-efficacy related to science was higher than in average in OECD countries and it
was the most powerful positive predictor for Finnish students’ performance in PISA 2006.
Therefore, the Finnish science education culture has succeeded in supporting the
development of students’ science-related self-efficacy. According to Finnish national
education policy, science teachers are the main actors in student assessment in
comprehensive schools and, therefore, they can plan how to support and build students’
confidence in their abilities when they need to perform a particular science task. Central in
the assessment policy in Finland has been during the last 20 years to avoid ranking of
schools or pupils and to avoid the feeling of punishment. This kind of long term policy has
been important for the development of a supportive atmosphere to the development of selfefficacy
(cf. Bandura, 1986). Finnish science classrooms are heterogeneous and can
consequently offer low achieving students role models in the form of high achieving
students (cf. Bandura 1997). Finnish science classrooms are relatively small and
heterogeneous and, consequently allow common goal-setting and verbal persuasion, which
takes the form of feedback and encouragement given by teachers to students. This kind of
teacher behaviour could increase self-efficacy