Final answer:
Self-efficacy is the belief in one's own ability to perform a task and is a key factor in motivation and behavior, as defined by Albert Bandura. It is distinct from locus of control, which relates to whether people believe they can control outcomes in their lives. option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
A person's belief that she or he can take action and perform a specific task is known as self-efficacy. This concept, closely associated with psychologist Albert Bandura, refers to an individual's belief in their own capability to complete a task. It plays a pivotal role in motivating behavior because it affects how we approach challenges and reach goals. Those with high self-efficacy view challenges as tasks to be mastered and recover quickly from setbacks, while those with low self-efficacy may avoid challenging tasks and focus on potential failure.
Julian Rotter introduced the concept of locus of control, which is distinct from self-efficacy. People with an internal locus of control believe they can control outcomes through their actions, while those with an external locus of control believe outcomes are outside their control. Bandura's research on observational learning also touches on the importance of self-efficacy in determining which behaviors people choose to imitate and their success in those behaviors.