What is self-efficacy?

• A. the actual level of skill a person has.
• B. the organization's overall confidence.
• C. an individual's perception of their own potential for success.
• D. the team's average capability.

Answer: (C)

Self-efficacy is an individual's belief in their own ability to succeed at specific tasks. It isn’t the actual skill they possess, nor is it the confidence of a group or team. It’s about how capable a person feels they are to take the necessary actions to reach a goal. This perception directly shapes motivation and behavior: those who believe they can succeed tend to set higher goals, invest more effort, persist through challenges, and choose more effective strategies. Those with low self-efficacy may avoid difficult tasks, give up more quickly, or rely on easier routes, even if their actual competence is adequate. Remember, self-efficacy is domain-specific—someone can feel highly capable in one area and less in another. It can be built through successful experiences, observing others succeed, receiving encouragement, and managing stress or arousal.