SELF-EFFICACY PREDICTIVENESS AND ITS DETERMINANTS AMONG PRESCHOOLERS

Precision of self-efficacy predictions on a ball-throwing task was compared between the younger group (3-year-olds; N = 40) and the older group (5-year-olds; N = 40). Three factors underlying the development of accurate efficacy expectations were examined. They were the effect of experience, the complexity of the task, and information of task performance. Results indicated that the predictions of the older group were more accurate than those of the younger group, and their predictions were significantly related to subsequent performance. They did more realistic efficacy predictions by using information of task performance and experience. The younger group showed no accuracy of self-efficacy predictions. But the presentation of information about task performance enabled them to make realistic efficacy predictions.