Academic motivation researchers sometimes struggle to decipher the distinc-
tive characteristics of what appear to be highly analogous constructs. In this
article, we discuss important similarities between self-concept and self-efficacy
as well as some notable differences. Both constructs share many similarities
such as centrality of perceived competence in construct definition; use of mas-
tery experience, social comparison, and reflected appraisals as major informa-
tion sources; and a domain-specific and multidimensional nature. Both predict
motivation, emotion, and performance to varying degrees. However, there are
also important differences. These differences include integration vs. separation
of cognition and affect, heavily normative vs. goal-referenced evaluation of
competence, aggregated vs. context-specific judgment, hierarchical vs. loosely
hierarchical structure, past vs. future orientation, and relative temporal stabil-
ity vs. malleability. We argue that self-efficacy acts as an active precursor of
self-concept development and suggest that self-concept research separate out
its multiple components and subprocesses and invest more effort toward mak-
ing students less preoccupied with normative ability comparisons in school.