Sex Differences in the Effect of Self-Efficacy on Willingness to Participate in a Performance Situation

Abstract

Building from Bandura's work on social cognitive theory wherein self-efficacy beliefs are important determinants of human action, this study examined whether affective control efficacy—the belief that one can cope with one's own affective responses—is a more important determinant of willingness to participate for women than for men. A questionnaire with a simulated performance situation was used to gather data from graduate students in education on perceived anxiety, extent of efficacy of affective control, extent of task efficacy, and willingness to participate. Analysis indicated that efficacy of affective control is a significant predictor of willingness to participate for women but not for men.