The present article examines the nature and function of human agency within the conceptual model of triadic reciprocal causation. In analyzing the operation of human agency in this interactional causal structure, social cognitive theory accords a central role to cognitive, vicarious, self-reflective, and self-regulatory processes. The issues addressed concern the psychological mechanisms through which personal agency is exercised, the hierar- chical structure of self-regulatory systems, eschewal of the dichotomous construal of self as agent and self as object, and the properties of a nondualistic but nonreductional conception of human agency. The relation of agent cau- sality to the fundamental issues of freedom and deter- minism is also analyzed. The recent years have witnessed a resurgence of interest in the self-referent phenomena. One can point to several reasons why self processes have come to pervade many domains of psychology. Self-generated activities lie at the very heart of causal processes. They not only contribute to the meaning and valence of most external influences, but they also function as important proximal determi- nants of motivation and action. The capacity to exercise control over one's own thought processes, motivation, and action is a distinctively human characteristic. Because judgments and actions are partly self-determined, people can effect change in themselves and their situations through their own efforts. In this article, I will examine the mechanisms of human agency through which such changes are realized.

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Human Agency in Social Cognitive Theory

This meta-analysis (114 studies, k = 157, N = 21,616) examined the relationship between self-efficacy and work-related performance. Results of the primary meta-analysis indicated a significant weighted average correlation between self-efficacy and work-related performance, G (r+) = .38, and a signif

Self-efficacy and work-related performance: A meta-analysis.

Two studies were conducted to analyze how hope, resilience, optimism, and efficacy individually and as a composite higher-order factor predicted work performance and satisfaction. Results from Study 1 provided psychometric support for a new survey measure designed to assess each of these 4 facets, as well as a composite factor. Study 2 results indicated a significant positive relationship regarding the composite of these 4 facets with performance and satisfaction. Results from Study 2 also indicated that the composite factor may be a better predictor of performance and satisfaction than the 4 individual facets. Limitations and practical implications conclude the article.

/pdf/positive-psychological-capital-measurement-and-relationship-51q6i4tzxj.pdf

Positive psychological capital: measurement and relationship with performance and satisfaction

This article analyzes organizational functioning from the perspective of social cognitive theory, which explains psychosocial functioning in terms of triadic reciprocal causation. In this causal structure, behavior, cognitive, and other personal factors and environmental events operate as interacting determinants that influence each other bidirectionally. The application of the theory is illustrated in a series of experiments of complex managerial decision making, using a simulated organization. The interactional causal structure is tested in conjunction with experimentally varied organizational properties and belief systems that can enhance or undermine the operation of the self-regulatory determinants. Induced beliefs about the controllability of organizations and the conception of managerial ability strongly affect both managers' self-regulatory processes and their organizational attainments. Organizational complexity and assigned performance standards also serve as contributing influences. Path analys...

Social Cognitive Theory of Organizational Management

Hope is defined as the perceived capability to derive pathways to desired goals, and motivate oneself via agency thinking to use those pathways. The adult and child hope scales that are derived from hope theory are described. Hope theory is compared to theories of learned optimism, optimism, self-efficacy, and self-esteem. Higher hope consistently is related to better outcomes in academics, athletics, physical health, psychological adjustment, and psychotherapy. Processes that lessen hope in children and adults are reviewed. Using the hope theory definition, no evidence is found for "false" hope. Future research is encouraged in regard to accurately enhancing hope in medical feedback and helping people to pursue those goals for which they are best suited.

Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind.

Self-efficacy theory asserts that personal mastery expectations are the primary determinants of behavioral change. Further, it is suggested that individual differences in past experiences and attri...

The Self-Efficacy Scale: Construction and Validation:

Two current views of behavioral self-regulation (self-efficacy theory and control theory) were tested in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design. Ninety-six undergraduate students were exposed to high and low levels of three between-subjects variables: self-efficacy expectancy, outcome expectancy, and degree of self-awareness. Following an extreme failure on an initial performance task, individuals' persistence on a second, insoluble task was assessed. Results indicated that self-efficacy expectancies were the best predictor of persistence. Unexpectedly, heightened self-awareness did not enhance the saliency of self-efficacy expectancies or outcome expectancies as control theory would predict. Indeed, it was when subjects were not self-aware that high and low outcome expectancies differentially affected persistence. It was suggested that following failure, heightened self-awareness leads to a greater cognizance of negative affect than to relevant expectancies for performance. It is this negative affect, which preclu...

Understanding Persistence: An Interface of Control Theory and Self-Efficacy Theory

This research investigated the contributions of variables from self-efficacy theory and control theory to behavioral change In a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design, three between-subjects variables (low an...

Beth Jacobs

Papers

The Self-Efficacy Scale: Construction and Validation:

Understanding Persistence: An Interface of Control Theory and Self-Efficacy Theory

Effects of self-awareness and expectancies on behavioral intentions: integrating self-efficacy theory and control theory