Cognitive processes mediating behavioral change

Tested the theory that psychological procedures achieve changes in behavior by altering the level and strength of self-efficacy. In this formulation, perceived self-efficacy influences level of performance by enhancing intensity and persistence of effort. 33 phobics aged 18-50 yrs were administered...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of personality and social psychology 1977-03, Vol.35 (3), p.125-139
Main Authors: Bandura, Albert, Adams, Nancy E, Beyer, Janice
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Arousal
Behavior Change
Behavior Therapy
Cognition
Cognitive Mediation
Desensitization, Psychologic
Expectations
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Generalization (Psychology)
Human
Humans
Imitative Behavior
Male
Middle Aged
Ophidiophobia
Phobic Disorders - therapy
Self Concept
Self-Assessment
Social Learning
Vicarious Experiences
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Tested the theory that psychological procedures achieve changes in behavior by altering the level and strength of self-efficacy. In this formulation, perceived self-efficacy influences level of performance by enhancing intensity and persistence of effort. 33 phobics aged 18-50 yrs were administered treatments based on either performance mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, or they received no treatment. Their efficacy expectations and approach behavior toward threats differing on a similarity dimension were measured before and after treatment. As predicted, the mastery-based treatment produced higher, stronger, and more generalized expectations of personal efficacy than did the treatment relying solely upon vicarious experiences. Results of a microanalysis further confirm the hypothesized relationship between self-efficacy and behavioral change. Self-efficacy was a uniformly accurate predictor of performance on tasks of varying difficulty with different threats regardless of whether the changes in self-efficacy were produced through enactive mastery or by vicarious experience alone. (16 ref)
ISSN:0022-3514
1939-1315
DOI:10.1037/0022-3514.35.3.125