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. What term best describes Laura’s view of attending college?
Explanation
Answer: D - 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. Self-efficacy can be strengthened by mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and positive emotional state.
