Self-efficacy+Beliefs

Self-efficacy beliefs have been defined as individuals' beliefs about their performance capabilities in a particular domain (Bandura, 1986). In an educational context, self-efficacy beliefs refers to students' judgements about their cognitive capabilities to accomplish a specific academic task or obtain specific goals (Schunk, 1985). Both also in (Pintrich pg. 185-186)

It is task specific, not domain specific, measure on a scale of high to low, and has nothing to do with objective reality. The perception held by the individual is the key component.

To elaborate on what is meant by 'task-specific', an individual will have different measurements of their own abilities for any given task they may wish to accomplish.

Students thoughts about a task deserves attention from teachers. If a student sees a task as out of reach they may not even try the task ending in the student learning less and feeling worse. As talked about in the educational psychology class there are ways to improve self efficacy. Some of these include allowing time for more one on one instruction, and allowing these students to participate when you know there idea is "correct"