Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa, PO Box 392, Unisa, 0003, South Africa; Department of Psychology, University of South Africa, South Africa
Steyn, R., Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa, PO Box 392, Unisa, 0003, South Africa; Mynhardt, J., Department of Psychology, University of South Africa, South Africa
Optimistic self-evaluation regarding the ability to carry out tasks is important for success in various fields of human endeavour. When people do such self-evaluations and form self-efficacy perceptions, they make use of information from various sources. According to theories relating to selfevaluation, people engaged in forming such perceptions about themselves largely depend on information gained through social comparison. However, theories of self-efficacy emphasise the importance of self-referenced information, such as those formed through mastery experiences. The purpose in this study is to examine the sources of information used in forming self-efficacy perceptions. In an experiment (N = 1 723) modelled on the Solomon Four-group Design, three types of information likely to influence perceptions were supplied to three experimental groups; there were five control groups. The effects of the interventions were measured by means of a questionnaire. Results indicated that perceptions of self-efficacy are more profoundly influenced by self-referenced information than by social comparisons. It was also found that additional information did not have a cumulative effect during the forming of self-efficacy perceptions. Finally, the implications of the results with respect to practical and theoretical viewpoints are discussed. © Psychological Society of South Africa. All rights reserved.
