A student's belief in their ability to achieve academic tasks successfully is referred to as?

Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their own capabilities to successfully complete tasks and achieve goals. This concept, introduced by psychologist Albert Bandura, plays a crucial role in how students approach their learning and academic challenges. When students possess high self-efficacy, they are more likely to take on difficult tasks, persevere in the face of challenges, and remain resilient when setbacks occur. This belief not only influences their motivation to engage in learning activities but also impacts their emotional responses to challenges and the strategies they employ in their academic pursuits.

In educational settings, fostering a sense of self-efficacy can lead to improved performance and achievement, as students who believe in their abilities are more inclined to put forth effort and adopt effective learning strategies. This contrasts with concepts like achievement motivation, which focuses on the drive to excel and attain success, or teaching efficacy, which pertains to teachers' beliefs in their ability to affect student learning. Social learning, on the other hand, refers to learning that occurs through observation and interaction with others, rather than through individual belief in one's capabilities.