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Self-Efficacy in Changing Societies Albert Bandura (Ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press, 1995, 334 pp., $00.00
Research and publication on the construct entitled self-efficacy has grown exponentially in terms of both numbers of studies and diversity of applications. Self Efficacy in Changing Societies consists of 10 chapters that analyze the diverse ways in which perceived self-efficacy troth shapes and is shaped by sociolcultural experiences. Edited by Albert Bandura, the book is based upon papers presented by international scholars at a conference held November 4-6, 1993, at the Johann Jacobs Foundations Communication Center, Marbach Castle, Germany and centers around the theme that "young people's beliefs in their personal efficacy to manage the demands of rapidly changing societal conditions help them to meet these challenges" (p. vii).
The introductory chapter, Written by Bandura, begins by addressing what he considers to be "central issues" regarding the nature and function of perceived self-efficacy. The majority of the chapter is dedicated to the role of efficacy beliefs in different arenas of human functioning. In addition, the chapter explores the role of perceived self-efficacy in individualistic and collectivistic social systems and concludes by discussing current conditions that may impede the development of collective efficacy, and ways that individuals attempt to recapture some control over these conditions.
In chapter 2, Glen Elder, Jr., describes the essential elements of...