The Influence of Sources of Self-Efficacy Upon Efficacy Strength

This study examined the influence of different sources of efficacy information on self-efficacy strength. Forty-eight women ranging from 18 to 40 years of age were recruited from a university population and randomly assigned to one of six groups. Each group received three sources of bench-press efficacy information (performance accomplishment, model, verbal message) presented in a different sequence. Bench-press efficacy strength was measured after each source of efficacy information. Results indicated that a performance accomplishment led to significantly stronger bench-press efficacy than did observation of a model, which in turn was more effective in strengthening efficacy than was hearing a verbal message. Second, performance accomplishment strengthened bench-press efficacy even when it followed one or both of the other sources of efficacy information. Finally, a verbal persuasion message was most effective in strengthening efficacy when it followed a performance accomplishment.