Thus, people are more influenced by their feelings of efficacy than by their expectations of outcomes. The strength of people's beliefs in their own abilities determines whether they will even try to cope with difficult situations. Self-efficacy is acquired, enhanced, or decreased through any one or a combination of four sources. The most influential source is performance accomplishment. Successful performance raises efficacy expectancies while failure tends to lower them.
Vicarious experiences are a second source of efficacy.
By observing the behavior and outcomes of others, we form hypotheses about the relationships between their behavior and outcomes. Observing a model performing behavior that results in beneficial consequences raises self-efficacy. Observing someone of equal competence fail at a task lowers self-efficacy. Verbal persuasion is also effective in influencing self-efficacy. This technique will only work if the person believes the persuader.