Development of Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectancy for Reading and Writing: A Regression and Causal Modeling Approach.

A study explored the development of self-efficacy and outcome expectancy beliefs for reading and writing--examining specifically (1) the structure of the relationships both within reading and within writing, and the influences of writing beliefs on reading and reading beliefs on writing; and (2) the development of writing beliefs. Subjects were 606 children in grades 4, 7, and 10 from a midwestern city school system. Self-efficacy for reading and writing, outcome expectancy (contingency beliefs and causal attributions), reading achievement, and writing achievement were measured with various instruments. Multiple regression analysis of the resulting data supported previous research that has found significant relationships between self-efficacy and outcoire expectancy beliefs and reading and writing. Results also suggest that beliefs about reading and writing ability become increasingly important factors in predicting reading and writing skill as children age and master skills. To be fully effective readers and writers, children must develop the positive self-efficacy and outcome expectancies necessary to effectively organize and applj the cognitive reading and writing skills they possess. (Three tables of data are included; 14 references are attached.) (SR) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. O Development of Self-efficacy 1 Development of Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectancy for Reading and Writing: A Regression and Causal Modeling Approach Roger Bruning Duane F. Shell University of Nebraska-Lincoln Carolyn Colvin Murphy San Diego State University "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS ATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY (te_ TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)" U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTERIERIO This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it r Minor changes have beer. made to improve reproduction ouafif, Points Of view or opinions stated in this docu meat do not necessarily represent official OE RI poSition or policy Paper presented at the National Reading Conference December 5, 1987, St. Petersburg. Fl. Development of Self-efficacy 2 Development of Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectancy for Reaiing and Writing A Regression and Causal Modeling Approach Bandura (1982, 1986) has identified two aspects of self-evaluation that affect performance and motivation: self-efficacy and outcome expectancy. Self-efficacy is defined as personal confidence in one's ability to successfully perform a behavior. Outcome expectancy is defined as belief that performance and reinforcing outcomes are contingently related. Bandura proposed that efficacy and outcome expectancy constitute the processes through which persons interpret feedback from performance outcomes. Performance is self-evaluated from feedback about attained skill level, often in comparison to self or externally set criteria or goals, leading to self-efficacy beliefs about performance competence and from feedback about received reinforcement, leading to outcome expectancies about the probable reinforcers that will result from successful performance. Thus, self-efficacy is the mechanism through which persons understand their own skills and develop confidence in their performance abilities, and outcome expectancies are the mechanisms through which persons contingently relate their actions to the attainment of desired outcomes. Research examining self-efficacy in a variety of domains (see Bandura, 1986 for an extensive review) has found that level of self-efficacy belief is related to level of performance, that self-efficacy change precedes behavioral change, and that high self-efficacy beliefs motivate performance by directing choice