PubMed · 1997 · 92 citations · 0 references
Social SciencesPsychologySocial PsychologyIndividual DifferencesPersonality PsychologyPsychometricsMotivationPsychological TestingSelf-conceptSelf-efficacySelf-esteemSelf-evaluation ProcessesGeneral Self-efficacyMultiple RegressionSelf-efficacy MeasurementSelf-efficacy ScalesSelf-efficacy TheoryTask-specific Self-efficacy
General self-efficacy (GSE) is defined as the global confidence a person has to successfully perform tasks. GSE is theorized to be linked to task-specific self-efficacy (TSSE). The GSE concept is controversial because some researchers claim that it is the same as self-esteem. In this study, 165 undergraduates were administered five GSE scales, a self-esteem scale, a locus of control scale, a TSSE scale, a sample-performance test, and a performance test. Results of multiple-regression analyses indicated that the GSE scales are measuring self-esteem and are poor predictors of performance.