Effects of effort attributional feedback on children's perceived self-efficacy and achievement.

Abstract

This experiment tested the hypothesis that effort attributional feedback concerning past accomplishments promotes percepts of self-efficacy and mathematical achievement. Children who lacked subtraction skills received didactic training in subtraction operations with effort attributional feedback concerning past achievement, with feedback concerning future achievement, or with no feedback. Results showed that attributional feedback for past achievement led to more rapid progress in mastering subtraction operations, greater skill development, and higher percepts of self-efficacy. Results of a multiple regression analysis showed that percepts of efficacy and training progress each accounted for a significant increment in the explained portion of variability in posttest skill. This study helps to clarify the role of effort attributional feedback in achievement contexts.