An Examination of the Dynamic Relationship between Self-Efficacy and Performance across Levels of Analysis and Levels of Specificity

This research used resource allocation theory to generate predictions regarding dynamic relationships between self-efficacy & task performance from 2 levels of analysis & specificity. Participants were given multiple trials of practice on an air traffic control task. Measures of task-specific self-efficacy & performance were taken at repeated intervals. The authors used multilevel analysis to demonstrate differential & dynamic effects. As predicted, task-specific self-efficacy was negatively associated with task performance at the within-person level. On the other hand, average levels of task-specific self-efficacy were positively related to performance at the between-persons level & mediated the effect of general self-efficacy. The key findings from this research relate to dynamic effects -- these results show that self-efficacy effects can change over time, but it depends on the level of analysis & specificity at which self-efficacy is conceptualized. These novel findings emphasize the importance of conceptualizing self-efficacy within a multilevel & multispecificity framework & make a significant contribution to understanding the way this construct relates to task performance. Tables, Figures, References. [Copyright 2006 American Psychological Association]