Explore AP Psychology 4.5.A questions on social-cognitive personality theory, self-efficacy, self-esteem, self-concept, and reciprocal determinism.
Savannah is a junior in high school and is preparing for an exam in her beginning Japanese course. The exam
will consist of both written and spoken portions. Although it is her first course in Japanese, Savannah is
confident that she will do very well on the exam.
After the exam, Savannah tells her family and friends that she believes that she spoke fluently and did
extremely well on the exam. Describe how each of the following concepts may have influenced her opinion.
- Self-efficacy
Self-efficacy
Point 7: Self-efficacy
To earn this point students must accurately describe how self-efficacy may have influenced Savannah's
positive opinion of her test performance. They may describe Savannah's:
A. Personal belief, or expectancy, that she can perform a behavior or task (demonstrates a potential),
OR
B. Personal belief, or expectancy, about her ability (demonstrates a potential).
Example: "Savannah believed she could do well on the test."
AP R◯ PSYCHOLOGY
2011 SCORING GUIDELINES
Do not score
- Perceptions of past behavior alone.
Example: "Savannah thought she did well on the test."
- Self-esteem (perceptions of overall worth) or self-serving bias (taking credit for success because of
positive internal attributions while ignoring failures that result from external forces).