Self‐Efficacy and Causal Attributions: Direct and Reciprocal Links

This study examines Bandura's (1986, 1997a) propositions that self‐efficacy provides information from which causal attributions are made and that causal attributions, in turn, influence formation of subsequent self‐efficacy expectations. We developed a conceptual rationale for and empirically tested 2 sets of hypotheses pertaining to direct and reciprocal links between self‐efficacy and causal attributions. Effects of causal attributions and subsequently formed self‐efficacy on subsequent task performance were also investigated. Results support the existence of direct and reciprocal links between self‐efficacy and causal attributions. We found interactive effects between self‐efficacy and performance feedback on causal attributions, and a mediating effect of causal attributions on the formation of subsequent self‐efficacy beliefs. Causal attributions and subsequent self‐efficacy also significantly predicted subsequent performance.