Final answer:
The most likely factor to negatively impact self-efficacy in the workplace is 'd. Stereotype threat', as it can lead to anxiety and reduced performance by reinforcing negative stereotypes, thus negatively affecting an individual's confidence in their own abilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factor most likely to have a negative effect on one's self-efficacy in the workplace is d. Stereotype threat. This term refers to the experience of anxiety or concern in a situation where a person has the potential to confirm a negative stereotype about their social group. According to Hebl, Foster, Mannix, & Dovidio (2002), when individuals are treated based on stereotypic beliefs, it can lead to discrimination, which in turn may affect their performance and engagement, such as in job interviews, thus reinforcing the stereotype and negatively impacting self-efficacy. Conversely, acceptance of challenges, mastery orientation, and an incremental view of intelligence are all factors that can have a positive effect on self-efficacy by prompting individuals to engage more deeply in their work and persist in the face of obstacles.
Self-efficacy is the belief in one's own ability to succeed in specific situations, which is crucial for how employees tackle workplace tasks and challenges. Stereotype threat undermines self-efficacy by instilling doubt and limiting an individual's belief in their own abilities based on discriminatory practices or societal biases.