Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

Which concept refers to an individual's confidence in their ability to perform a given behavior?

1. Self-efficacy

2. Short-term memory

3. Instrumental learning

4. Social Identity Theory

The correct answer is: Self-efficacy

The concept that refers to an individual's confidence in their ability to perform a given behavior is self-efficacy. This term was popularized by psychologist Albert Bandura and is an essential component of his social cognitive theory. Self-efficacy influences how people think, feel, motivate themselves, and act. When individuals believe they can successfully execute a specific task or behavior, they are more likely to approach challenges with confidence and persistence. High self-efficacy is associated with greater effort and resilience in the face of obstacles, which can lead to better performance overall. In contrast, short-term memory relates to the capacity of the brain to hold a limited amount of information temporarily, which does not directly involve an individual's confidence in executing tasks. Instrumental learning pertains to the process of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments rather than self-belief in one’s abilities. Social Identity Theory focuses on how individuals define themselves based on group memberships and does not specifically address individual confidence in abilities. Therefore, self-efficacy is the most relevant concept in the context of an individual’s confidence to perform behaviors.