Research paper
Bandura A. Self-efficacy: toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychol Rev. 1977;84(2):191-215. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191. PMID: 847061.
Why we cite it
The foundational paper that introduced self-efficacy as a central mechanism of behavioral change. Bandura proposed that all effective psychological treatments work through a common mechanism: altering expectations of personal efficacy. The theory distinguishes efficacy expectations ("can I do this behavior?") from outcome expectations ("will this behavior lead to results?") and identifies four hierarchically ordered sources of self-efficacy information: mastery experiences (most powerful), vicarious experience, verbal persuasion (weakest), and physiological arousal states. Empirical microanalyses with phobic subjects showed self-efficacy predicted actual behavior at 85–92% accuracy. For the project's companion on capability and self-belief, this provides the theoretical and empirical foundation for why starting small and accumulating mastery experiences is the most effective path to sustainable behavior change.
About the author
– Albert Bandura (1925–2021): David Starr Jordan Professor of Social Science in Psychology, Stanford University (1953–2010). PhD, University of Iowa (1952). President of the American Psychological Association (1973). National Medal of Science (2016, presented by President Obama). Officer of the Order of Canada (2014). Ranked 4th most-cited psychologist of the 20th century (behind Freud, Skinner, Piaget) — the most-cited living psychologist during his lifetime. First psychologist to surpass 1 million Google Scholar citations (~1,017,000). Pioneered social learning theory, social cognitive theory, and the self-efficacy construct. Known for the Bobo doll experiment (1961) demonstrating observational learning. Also developed theory on moral disengagement.