Self-efficacy and self-esteem are often confused but have different definitions. High self-efficacy leads to high self-esteem, and vice versa. Past events influence both, and external sources can positively or negatively influence them.
Self-efficacy and self-esteem are two closely related terms, often mistaken for each other. When self-efficacy is high, self-esteem also tends to be high, and similarly when self-efficacy is low, self-esteem also tends to be low. The opposite sense is also true, that levels of self-esteem influence levels of self-efficacy. Many times, both are influenced by external sources instead of each other, but even then they are usually both positively influenced or both negatively influenced. Self-esteem and self-efficacy are rarely negatively correlated.
The terms self-efficacy and self-esteem are commonly used interchangeably or confused with each other, but have different definitions. Self-efficacy is defined as a person’s confidence in their own abilities, both in general and directed towards a specific task or activity. Self-esteem is more a person’s idea of their own self-worth, which may or may not be related to their abilities.
For example, a person with high self-efficacy about their ability to relate to people and present themselves as a manager will be much more confident going into a job interview than a person with low self-efficacy about those same goals. Two other candidates with the same level of self-efficacy in performing well in the interview but with different levels of self-esteem will likely feel a similar level of confidence in relating to the interviewer. The person with high self-esteem, however, will be more likely to sell their good points to the interviewer and feel confident knowing they are qualified for the job than the person with lower self-esteem, who may have the same qualifications as the other candidate but feels somehow less deserving of the job.
The often strong connection between self-efficacy and self-esteem exists because people who have high self-efficacy and believe strongly in their own abilities also tend to have a high sense of self-worth, because they are so capable. Similarly, people who naturally feel that they have higher self-esteem tend to believe that they are also capable of performing necessary tasks or learning how to do them. It also works in reverse, with low self-efficacy and self-esteem interconnected. Furthermore, past events are a major determinant of self-efficacy and self-esteem levels. For example, a basketball player who has won the last three games for his team might feel on top of the world with high self-esteem and confidence knowing he is capable of making the game-winning shot again, while another player who is been recently reprimanded for making a mistake probably feels much lower in both self-esteem and in his ability to perform well.
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