Final answer:
Self-efficacy contributes to psychological benefits such as goal attainment, resilience, and increased motivation as well as physical benefits including better health and lower depression rates. It affects how individuals approach challenges, with those having higher self-efficacy being more likely to take on and persist through difficult tasks. It is also interrelated with social motives and locus of control which further influence behavior and health outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The psychological benefits of self-efficacy as presented in the reference materials include a belief that goals are attainable, viewing challenges as tasks to be mastered, developing deep interest and strong commitment to activities, and a swift recovery from setbacks. High self-efficacy correlates with higher motivation, positive affect, and resilience. Physically, individuals with higher self-efficacy tend to be healthier, are better able to cope with stressors, and experience lower rates of depression, which can influence various health outcomes.
Albert Bandura's work emphasizes that self-efficacy is crucial in determining how individuals approach challenges and goals. High self-efficacy leads to engaging in challenging tasks and persisting despite difficulties, while low self-efficacy results in avoidance of such tasks and a focus on potential failures. The sense of control one feels over their life, labeled as 'locus of control' by Julian Rotter, also plays a role in conjunction with self-efficacy in determining an individual's actions and their outcomes.
Moreover, the need for achievement, one aspect of social motives, is strongly tied to self-efficacy. Individuals with a greater need for achievement may also have higher self-efficacy as they are motivated to succeed and overcome obstacles. Therefore, the benefits of self-efficacy are multifaceted, influencing both psychological and physical domains of health and behavior.