Regional gray matter volume in the posterior precuneus is associated with general self-efficacy.
Motivation in doing a task is influenced not only by the expected outcome of the task but also by the belief that one has in successfully executing the task. Over time, individuals accumulate experiences that contribute toward a general belief in one's overall ability to successfully perform tasks, which is called general self-efficacy (GSE). We investigated the relationship between regional gray matter volume and individual differences in GSE. Brain anatomy was analyzed using magnetic resonance images obtained from 64 healthy right-handed participants who had completed Sherer's GSE scale. After controlling for other factors related to motivation, age, sex, and total gray matter volume of each participant, results showed that regional gray matter volume in the posterior part of the precuneus significantly and positively correlated with the GSE score. These results suggest that one's accumulated experiences of success and failure, which contribute toward GSE, also influence the anatomical characteristics of the precuneus.
aDepartment of Cognitive and Behavioral Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo bJapan Society for the Promotion of Sciences cBrain Science Institute, Tamagawa University dDepartment of Childhood Education, Musashino University, Tokyo eBrain Activity Imaging Center, ATR-Promotions, Kyoto fResearch Institute of Kochi University of Technology, Kochi, Japan gSchool of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Berkshire, UK.
Ayaka
A
Sugiura
Ryuta
R
Aoki
Kou
K
Murayama
Yukihito
Y
Yomogida
Tomoki
T
Haji
Atsuko
A
Saito
Toshikazu
T
Hasegawa
Kenji
K
Matsumoto
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D066128:Gray Matter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007206:Individuality; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult