Reciprocal Determinism / Self-Efficacy — Previous Year Questions
📊 Topic Overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 6 (2.7%) |
| Priority | 🟡 MEDIUM — Section B and C |
| Note | Sub-components of Bandura's theory — see also Social Learning Theory |
📝 Master Answer — Section C (100 words / 3 marks)
Q. Reciprocal Determinism (short note). (3 marks)
Reciprocal Determinism is Albert Bandura's model of the triadic interaction between Person (cognitive factors, beliefs, expectations), Behaviour (actions taken), and Environment (external stimuli and reinforcement). These three determinants mutually influence each other in a continuous, bidirectional cycle. Unlike Skinner's one-directional environmental determinism, Bandura's model grants the person an active, agentic role. For example, a student's self-efficacy beliefs (person) affect their study behaviour (behaviour), which shapes their academic environment through grades and teacher feedback (environment), which in turn reinforces or modifies self-efficacy.
📝 Section B Answer (250 words / 6 marks)
Q. Describe the concept of self-system. Explain the sources and role of self-efficacy. (6 marks)
Also: "Explain the sources and role of self-efficacy." (2020-Jun B6)
Self-System
Bandura's self-system refers to the internal cognitive structures through which individuals observe, evaluate, and regulate their own behaviour. It operates via three processes: self-observation (monitoring one's behaviour), judgmental process (evaluating against personal standards), and self-response (self-reinforcement or self-punishment based on evaluation). The self-system makes humans self-directing agents rather than passive products of external reinforcement.
Self-Efficacy
Self-efficacy is the individual's belief in their own capacity to execute the behaviours required to produce specific outcomes. It is situation-specific (not a global trait) and distinct from self-esteem (which is a global evaluation of worth).
Four Sources of Self-Efficacy:
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Mastery Experiences: Direct personal success is the most powerful source. Past success raises self-efficacy; repeated failure lowers it.
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Vicarious Experiences (Modelling): Observing similar others succeed ("if they can do it, so can I"). Especially powerful when the model is perceived as similar in ability.
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Verbal Persuasion (Social Encouragement): Encouragement from trusted others (parents, teachers, coaches) raises self-efficacy. Criticism lowers it.
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Physiological and Affective States: People interpret their own arousal as information about competence. Anxiety is often read as low efficacy; calm and energised states support high efficacy.
Role of Self-Efficacy
High self-efficacy → approach tasks, set challenging goals, persist under adversity, recover from setbacks.
Low self-efficacy → avoidance, low aspirations, rapid disengagement, anxiety.
Self-efficacy is the primary mechanism of change in cognitive-behavioural therapy (Bandura, 1977).
💡 Exam Tips
- For Section C on "Reciprocal Determinism": define the three components (Person, Behaviour, Environment) + one example + contrast with Skinner. ~100 words.
- For Section B on "Self-Efficacy": list all four sources — this is the most tested component.
- Know that self-efficacy is situation-specific, not a global personality trait.