Self-Efficacy: An Essential Motive to Learn
Barry J. Zimmerman
Graduate School and University Center of City University of New York
During the past two decades, self-efficacy has emerged as a highly effective predictor
of students’ motivation and learning. As a performance-based measure of
perceived capability, self-efficacy differs conceptually and psychometrically from
related motivational constructs, such as outcome expectations, self-concept, or locus
of control. Researchers have succeeded in verifying its discriminant validity as well
as convergent validity in predicting common motivational outcomes, such as students’
activity choices, effort, persistence, and emotional reactions. Self-efficacy
beliefs have been found to be sensitive to subtle changes in students’ performance
context, to interact with self-regulated learning processes, and to mediate students’
academic achievement. 2000 Academic Press