Psychology Assignment: Exploring Self-Efficacy and its Influence

This psychology assignment examines the concept of self-efficacy and its impact on individual development, using a case study of a friend with an eating disorder (anorexia nervosa). It explores how self-efficacy, defined as personal motivation and confidence, influences worldviews, personality characteristics, and developmental paths. The assignment highlights the detrimental effects of low self-efficacy, such as pessimistic outlooks and avoidance of social interactions, and how these factors can lead to negative emotional and social outcomes like low self-esteem and hopelessness. The analysis references key psychological concepts and research to illustrate the complex interplay between personal beliefs, environmental perceptions, and behavioral patterns. The assignment concludes by discussing the potential long-term consequences of unaddressed issues related to self-efficacy, emphasizing the importance of intervention and support for individuals struggling with these challenges.

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY
PSYCHOLOGY
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1PSYCHOLOGY
Observational Example: In order to explain the following concepts and their impacts
on development, I shall take the example of distant friend of mine, whom I had known to
suffer from an eating disorder (anorexia nervosa), after going through a rough phase of
obesity and bullying as a child.
Self-Efficacy: Self-efficacy implies personal levels of motivation and confidence
against challenges and is dependent the results after administering one’s efforts (Bui, Kemp
and Howlett 2011). In the case of my friend, her repeated efforts of unhealthy fad diet
resulted in her gaining more weight instead, a perceived negative outcome which made her
lose confidence on her skills of eating healthy and caring for self. Indeed, negative or low
impact results after personal efforts have been associated with helplessness and pessimism
(Honickeand Broadbent 2016).
Worldviews: Individual’s with a negative or low sense self-efficacy have been
implicated to perceive the world as a negative place which is beyond their control (Chen et
al. 2017). Hence, my friend, not only believed that she is surrounded by a society which is
constantly jeering at her physical appearance, but also blamed the society’s attitude regarding
weight loss as a reason for her unsuccessful results after following fad weight loss diets.
Personality Characteristics: Individuals with a low sense of self-efficacy have
generally been found to be pessimistic and wary of social engagement (Zeeand Koomen
2016). Hence, not only did my friend lack optimism, but she also perceived her academic
duties to be tough for her abilities and generally avoided social gatherings since she felt that
she may be judged for her appearance.
Developmental Paths: If not corrected or motivated, my friend may encounter
detrimental social and emotional development characterised by feelings of low self-
confidence, hopelessness, low self-esteem and low self-worth in the future (Maddux2016).

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References
Bui, M., Kemp, E. and Howlett, E., 2011. The fight against obesity: Influences of self-
efficacy on exercise regularity. Journal of Nonprofit& Public Sector Marketing, 23(2),
pp.181-208.
Chen, S.X., Ng, J.C., Buchtel, E.E., Guan, Y., Deng, H. and Bond, M.H., 2017. The added
value of world views over self‐views: Predicting modest behaviour in Eastern and Western
cultures. British Journal of Social Psychology, 56(4), pp.723-749.
Honicke, T. and Broadbent, J., 2016. The influence of academic self-efficacy on academic
performance: A systematic review. Educational Research Review, 17, pp.63-84.
Maddux, J.E., 2016. Self-efficacy. In Interpersonal and intrapersonal expectancies (pp. 41-
46). Routledge.
Zee, M. and Koomen, H.M., 2016. Teacher self-efficacy and its effects on classroom
processes, student academic adjustment, and teacher well-being: A synthesis of 40 years of
research. Review of Educational research, 86(4), pp.981-1015.