The Self Efficacy Theory

Originators and Purpose The Self-Efficacy Theory was proposed and originated by Albert Bandura in the late 1970s (Hayden, 2014). The purpose of Albert Bandura creating this theory was to connect and explain why two different behavioral treatments showed varying degrees of success in behavior modification. The first behavioral treatment was based around the idea that changes in behavior were the result of insight gained by a therapist. The second behavioral treatment was based around behavior modification in the setting in which the behavior was portrayed. Bandura unified these elements of behavior modification treatment and explained this by illustrating how an individual’s confidence in personal capability contributes to overall individual

Mastery experience is the concept that explains why an individual feels more apt to successfully attempt a task that they have positively accomplished previously. When viewing this construct, mastery experience can be located within the intrapersonal or individual level of factors affecting health behavior as defined by the ecological perspective. The intrapersonal level is the most fundamental level in health behavior practices because this view of behavior comes from within one’s self and is not influenced by outside factors and includes behavior influences such as personal knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and personality traits. (National Cancer Institute,

Outlined in this concept is, “when people are persuaded verbally that they can achieve or master a task, they are more likely to do the task” (Hayden, 2014). Like vicarious experience, verbal persuasion is seen within the interpersonal level of health behavior. Family, friends, or peers are providing verbal encouragement and support to the individual in efforts to promote success in a task. By receiving this encouragement, individuals are convinced or motivated to endeavor on and complete the undertaking that is presented. When considering the obese individual presented previously, an example of verbal persuasion can be demonstrated. While this individual embarks on his or her weight loss and physical fitness journey, verbal persuasion can found within this individuals personal support system. In the instance in which close family members are involved in this person’s physical fitness pursuit, they can provide verbal encouragement. To optimize this construct, verbal persuasion should be applied and used from the beginning and throughout this weight loss journey.
Somatic and Emotional