A Self-Efficacy Demonstration

Here is a fun experiment for you to try:

1. Put a trash can on the floor.

2. Stand 8 to 10 feet away from the trash can.

3. Crumple up a piece of paper to make a paper ball.

4. Try to throw the paper ball into the trash can.

Have you ever tried an experiment like this before?

• How did that affect your confidence?

• Were you successful? That is, did you toss the paper ball in the can?

If you made it, do you want to try again? Why?

If you didn't make it, do you want to try again? Why?

• Now move five feet farther from the trash can, make another paper ball, and try again.

Did you make it? Now how do you feel about succeeding? Are you more confident or less confident? Why do you think you feel this way?

Even though the paper tossing game is a simple experiment when compared to most academic tasks, it demonstrates how your performance in one situation may influence:

• how you feel about a similar situation.

• whether or not you'll put yourself in the same situation again.

• If you got the ball in the first time:

  1. Your confidence probably increased.
  2. Your motivation probably increased.
  3. You may want to put effort into doing it again.
  

• If you missed the first time:

1. Your confidence probably decreased.
2. Your motivation probably decreased.
3. You may not even want to try again.

Remember, it's not important to focus on your negative feelings or lower self-efficacy beliefs. The important thing is to focus on how these feelings influence your motivation and performance during certain situations. That focus will help you increase the likelihood that your feelings are positive influences on your academic performance.