Efficacy vs. Outcome Expectations
Bandura distinguishes between outcome expectancy and and efficacy expectancy.
Outcome expectation refers to the person’s estimate that a given behavior will lead to particular outcomes.
Efficacy expectation is an estimate that one can successfully execute the behavior required to produce the outcomes sought.
Self-beliefs about abilities play a central role in the career decision-making process. People move toward those occupations requiring capabilities they think they either have or can develop. People move away from those occupations requiring capabilities they think they do not possess or they cannot develop.
Personal goals also influence career behaviors in important ways. Personal goals relate to one’s determination to engage in certain activities to produce a particular outcome. Goals help to organize and guide behavior over long periods of time.
The relationship among goals, self-efficacy, and outcome expectations is complex and occurs within the framework of:
Bandura’s Triadic Reciprocal Model of Causality – these factors are all affecting each other simultaneously
• personal attributes,
• external environmental factors
• overt behavior
In essence, a person inputs (e.g. gender, race) interact with contextual factors (e.g. culture, family geography) and learning experiences to influence self-efficacy beliefs and outcome expectations.