Self-Efficacy Theory in Coaching

The Framework

Our final entry in The Infourge Compendium of Models and Theories anniversary series is Self-Efficacy Theory. I chose this theory for our final entry because among the 300 frameworks included in this text, this theory is one I use more than most. Self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and resiliency are common challenges among the clients I work with, and Self-Efficacy Theory provides an exceptional lens through which to explore the sources of a client’s self-doubt.

Developed in 1977 by psychologist Albert Bandura, Self-Efficacy Theory (SET) provides a framework for exploring the relationship between a person’s perceived ability to face and overcome obstacles and their actual ability to do the same.

Self-Efficacy Theory suggests that a person’s sense of efficacy influences how they manage the stress and anxiety that comes from challenges. The higher the individual’s self-efficacy, the greater their ability to work through challenges and obstacles on their own terms.

Self-Efficacy Theory consists of two key determinants of behavior. These form the construct of an individual’s perceived abilities.

Self-efficacy: This component applies to the individual’s belief in their capability to execute the behaviors necessary to achieve their desired goals. Put another way, does the individual believe they possess the skills and abilities needed to succeed in life?

Outcome expectancy: This component pertains to the individual’s perceptions surrounding the positive and negative consequences of performing the behavior. This perception hinges on the individual’s belief that a specific action will result in a specific outcome.

An individual derives their sense of self-efficacy from four sources. The role of specific sources varies from person to person. In effect, the four sources act as spectra, the combination of which influences a person’s sense of self-efficacy.

Mastery experiences: This refers to the experiences gained from practicing and performing. Through the successes and failures of these experiences, people learn what they are capable of accomplishing.

Vicarious experiences: This is learning by observing others, like role models. Watching other people who possess a healthy sense of self-efficacy can impart some of those positive beliefs to an individual.

Verbal persuasion: This refers to the impact words can have on a person’s sense of self. Individuals receiving positive verbal affirmations feel motivated to strive and often believe they can achieve (self-efficacy). Further research indicates verbal persuasion applies to self-talk (e.g., how we talk to ourselves).

Emotional and psychological states: This refers to the general health and well-being of the whole person. The presence of anxiety or depression can have a profound effect on a person’s sense of self-efficacy. Individuals struggling with an emotional or psychological challenge may need to consider therapy as these issues typically exceed the boundaries of coaching.

Other variations of SET provide a fifth potential source of self-efficacy, Imaginal experience. This pertains to the individual’s ability to imagine or envision future successes.

Self-Efficacy Theory is a sub-theory of Bandura’s larger construct, Social Cognitive Theory, which explains how people regulate their behavior to achieve and maintain desired goals.

SET is very useful when working with clients who struggle with issues of self-confidence, resilience, fear of change, and stress management.

Widely used in both clinical and coaching settings, Self-Efficacy Theory has broad utility across industries including education, health care, entrepreneurship, and performance coaching, as well as working with individuals with special needs.

Professionals seeking additional information may consider Bandura’s 1997 book, Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control.

Sources[i]

How I Use the Framework

I use Self-Efficacy Theory in several ways. Sometimes I ask questions that align with each of the four sources that influence self-efficacy. For example, I recently had a client who was new to her leadership position. Over a couple of months, she had been exposed to several negative comments about her “lack of qualifications” for the role (external verbal persuasion). I asked her, “when you think about your current position, what do you tell yourself?” What she thought echoed this negative language. In other words, the voice in her head parroted the negative perceptions others had of her (internal verbal persuasion). This allowed us to reframe some of these negative perceptions and introduce critical thinking to the process. I asked her to share with me some of her biggest accomplishments. I asked her what these accomplishments said about her skills and experiences (mastery experiences). She could see an incongruency between her thoughts about self and what her behaviors and achievements demonstrated. This provided an opening for us to explore ways to use her experiences to mitigate the negative voice in her head.

For another client, I shared the entry on Self-Efficacy Theory from the ICMT and asked her to reflect on how it pertained to her. Without hesitation, she said her internal voice kept telling her she was not good enough. Like the previous client, her achievements and experiences proved she was more than capable, however she struggled to accept this. I asked her to consider the specific language her internal voice used when speaking. “Have you ever spoken this way of someone else?” I asked her. When she replied, no, I asked, “where have you heard this language before?” In that moment, she realized that the inner voice in her head was not her own but a family member’s whose opinion of her always skewed negative. Together, we explored techniques to help her reconnect with her own voice. She began to see that her voice told a much different story about herself than the voice she had been listening to.

As we end our anniversary series, I would like to share that the ICMT was recently selected as a finalist in the 2025 Indie Book Awards for the category of education/academic. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who followed along for the last few weeks as I shared excerpts from my book. I would also like to thank everyone who supported me over the last year. For those of you who have not purchased your copy of The Infourge Compendium of Models and Theories, I hope these articles have encouraged you to consider picking up a copy. Best wishes to all!

[i] Self-Efficacy Theory

Carey, M.P., Forsyth, A.D. (2009). Teaching tip sheet: Self-efficacy. Retrieved from the American Psychological Association: https://www.apa.org/pi/aids/resources/education/self-efficacy

Moore, C. (2023, April 26). Albert Bandura: Self-efficacy and agentic positive psychology. Retrieved from Positive Psychology: https://positivepsychology.com/bandura-self-efficacy/

Ackerman, C.E. (2023, April 26). What is self-efficacy theory? (Incl. 8 examples & scales) Retrieved from Positive Psychology:https://positivepsychology.com/self-efficacy/

Lopez-Garrido, G. (2023, July 10). Bandura’s self-efficacy theory of motivation in psychology. Retrieved from Simply Psychology: https://www.simplypsychology.org/self-efficacy.html

Cherry, K. (2023, February 27). Self-efficacy and why believing in yourself matters. Retrieved from Verywell Mind: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-self-efficacy-2795954