Laura is the first in her family to attend college. She comes from a poor family in a bad neighborhood, where most teens and young adults never attend college. Still, she has a strong sense that she has what it takes to succeed. After hearing that Laura was accepted to the local university, her favorite teacher says, “Congratulations, Laura. You can do this!” Which component of self-efficacy does this describe?
Explanation
Answer: C - Verbal persuasion refers to encouraging feedback or communication. Self-efficacy refers to an individual’s belief in their ability to achieve a goal. In this example, Laura strongly believes in her own abilities to successfully complete college. People with high self-efficacy, such as Laura, often put forth great effort to meet their goals. On the other hand, individuals with low self-efficacy often put forth less effort, and avoid situations where they believe they cannot be successful. In this example, the encouragement from her teacher strengthens Laura’s belief in her ability to succeed.
