title: A computational model of self-efficacy's various effects on performance: Moving the debate forward.
abstract: Self-efficacy, which is one's belief in one's capacity, has been found to both positively and negatively influence effort and performance. The reasons for these different effects have been a major topic of debate among social-cognitive and perceptual control theorists. In particular, the findings of various self-efficacy effects has been motivated by a perceptual control theory view of self-regulation that social-cognitive theorists' question. To provide more clarity to the theoretical arguments, a computational model of the multiple processes presumed to create the positive, negative, and null effects for self-efficacy is presented. Building on an existing computational model of goal choice that produces a positive effect for self-efficacy, the current article adds a symbolic processing structure used during goal striving that explains the negative self-efficacy effect observed in recent studies. Moreover, the multiple processes, operating together, allow the model to recreate the various effects found in a published study of feedback ambiguity's moderating role on the self-efficacy to performance relationship (Schmidt & DeShon, 2010). Discussion focuses on the implications of the model for the self-efficacy debate, alternative computational models, the overlap between control theory and social-cognitive theory explanations, the value of using computational models for resolving theoretical disputes, and future research and directions the model inspires. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Jeffrey B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Vancouver
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Justin D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Purl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011582:Psychological Theory; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis