Reinforcement history as possible basis for the relationship between self-percepts of efficacy and responses to...

The empirical correlation of self-efficacy statements and treatment outcome reported by Bandura (1977) is acknowledged. The question at issue is whether this correlation is due to an integrative construct called self or social contingencies. Bandura (1982) demonstrated that the correlation exists in the absence of contemporary social contingencies for such a correlation (cf. Tryon, 1981). The present rejoinder argues that the correlation between self-efficacy statements and subsequent behavior could be due to social contingencies existing prior to the experiment. Supportive data from a series of vicarious verbal conditioning experiments are presented.