Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree to which A. Bandura’s (1997)
hypothesized sources of self-efficacy predict the science self-efficacy beliefs of middle school students
(N ¼ 319), to replicate previous findings that science self-efficacy predicts science achievement, and to
explore how science self-efficacy and its antecedents differ by gender. Significant correlations were found
between mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, social persuasions, physiological arousal, and selfefficacy.
Only mastery experiences significantly predicted science self-efficacy. Girls reported stronger
science self-efficacy than did boys. Findings support and extend the theoretical tenets of Bandura’s social
cognitive theory. 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 43: 485–499, 2006