The purpose of the present study was to examine the internal structure of scores from Bandura’s Multidimensional Scales of Perceived Self-Efficacy (MSPSE). Data were obtained from college freshmen, a population previously untested with MSPSE. Results show that scores from nearly all items aligned almost exclusively with theoretically and empirically derived dimensions. Some differences in empirically derived dimensions occurred as a result of extraction procedures, although the differences observed still provided theoretically interpretable constructs. These results suggest that Bandura’s scales, with slight revisions, show promise for research on self-efficacy with undergraduate college students.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84, 191-215.
2.
Bandura, A. (1990). Multidimensional Scales of Perceived Self-Efficacy. Stanford, CA: Stanford University.
3.
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman.
4.
Bandura, A. , Barbaranelli, C., Caprara, G. V., & Pastorelli, C. (1996). Multifaceted impact of self-efficacy beliefs on academic functioning. Child Development, 67, 1206-1222.
5.
Bandura, A. , Pastorelli, C., Barbaranelli, C., & Caprara, G. V. (1999). Self-efficacy pathways to childhood depression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76, 258-269.
6.
Ehrenberg, M. F. , Cox, D. N., & Koopman, R. F. (1991). The relationship between self-efficacy and depression in adolescents. Adolescence, 26, 361-374.
7.
Hackett, G. , & Betz, N. (1989). An exploration of the mathematics self-efficacy/mathematics performance correspondence. Journal of Research in Mathematics Education, 20, 261-273.
8.
Kanfer, R. , & Zeiss, A. M. (1983). Depression, interpersonal standard setting, and judgement of self-efficacy. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 92, 319-329.
9.
Lee, C. (1984). Accuracy of efficacy and outcome expectations in predicting performance in a simulated assertiveness task. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 8, 37-48.
10.
Lent, R. W. , Brown, S. D., & Gore, P. A. (1997). Discriminant and predictive validity of academic self-concept, academic self-efficacy, and mathematics-specific self-efficacy. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 44, 307-315.
11.
Lopez, F. G. , & Lent, R. W. (1992). Sources of mathematics self-efficacy in high school students. Career Development Quarterly, 41, 3-12.
12.
Miller, J. W. , Coombs, W. T., & Fuqua, D. R. (1999). An examination of psychometric properties of Bandura’s multidimensional scales of perceived self-efficacy. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 31, 186-196.
13.
Nunnally, J. C. , & Bernstein, I. H. (1994). Psychometric theory (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
14.
Pajares, F. (1996). Self-efficacy beliefs in academic settings. Review of Educational Research, 66, 543-578.
15.
Pajares, F. , & Graham, L. (1999). Self-efficacy, motivation constructs, and mathematics performance of entering middle school students. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 24, 124-139.
16.
Pajares, F. , & Miller, M. D. (1994). Role of self-efficacy and self-concept beliefs in mathematical problem solving: A path analysis. Journal of Educational Psychology, 86, 193-203.
17.
Shelton, D. M. , & Mallinckrodt, B. (1991). Test anxiety, locus of control, and self-efficacy as predictors of treatment preference. College Student Journal, 25, 544-551.
18.
Thompson, B. , & Daniel, L. G. (1996). Factor analytic evidence for the construct validity of scores: A historical overview and some guidelines. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 56, 197-208.
19.
Woodruff, S. L. , & Cashman, J. E. (1993). Task, domain, and general efficacy: A reexamination of the self-efficacy scale. Psychological Reports, 72, 423-432.
20.
Zimmerman, B. J. , Bandura, A., & Martinez-Pons, M. (1992). Self-motivation for academic attainment: The role of self-efficacy beliefs and personal goal setting. American Educational Research Journal, 29, 663-676.
21.
Zimmerman, B. J. , & Martinez-Pons, M. (1986). Development of a structured interview for assessing student use of self-regulated learning strategies. American Educational Research Journal, 23, 614-628.
22.
Zimmerman, B. J. , & Martinez-Pons, M. (1988). Construct validation of a strategy model of student self-regulated learning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 80, 284-290.
