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The importance of self‐efficacy as a mediating variable between learning environments and achievement
Author(s) -
Moriarty Beverley,
Douglas Graham,
Punch Keith,
Hattie John
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
british journal of educational psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.557
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 2044-8279
pISSN - 0007-0998
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8279.1995.tb01132.x
Subject(s) - psychology , self efficacy , academic achievement , individualism , competition (biology) , developmental psychology , social psychology , ecology , political science , law , biology
The purpose of this research was to investigate the extent to which self‐efficacy acts as a mediating variable between the learning environment and achievement. Seven year 5 classes ( N =179 students aged 9 to 10 years) were allocated randomly to cooperative, competitive or individualistic environments for twice‐weekly social studies lessons, changing environments after five weeks. Data collected on self‐efficacy and achievement in weeks 5 and 10 indicated that co‐operative environments led to higher self‐efficacy and achievement as well as more appropriate behaviour. The performance of particular tasks under competition appears to be enhanced when students have previously worked co‐operatively, but may be difficult to sustain as self‐efficacy and behaviour standards decline.