Overview of self-efficacy, locus of control and attitude towards engineering

2. Overview of self-efficacy, locus of control and attitude towards engineering

To provide a better understanding of the socio-psychological variables understudy, a brief explanation on each of these variables is given in the following sections.

2.1. Self-Efficacy

Self-Efficacy is a person’s belief, or competency which is primarily concerned with the “cognitively perceived capabilities of the self” [18] in a specific domain. It is the key to success in learning. “I can do it” or “I am improving” are the triggering motivating factors for boosting the level of self-efficacy [16] thus, creating the internal urge for students to learn [19]. Efficacy applies to any situation. However, the choosing and executing constructive action should be taken into consideration particularly that removes the barriers to successfully achieving the goal-directed behavior [16]. In educational context, enhancing self-efficacy played a critical role in balancing the psychosocial development; it ascertain one’s identities, find meaning in what they are doing, and have a sense of worth in their capabilities and potentials [18]. Researchers have reported that self-efficacy is a good predictor of successful task completion [19] and it seemed to influence and maintain the academic performance [20] as it has greater influential capacity [21].

2.2. Locus of Control

Locus of control is a trait based on a person’s cognition [19]. It refers to individual’s perception of the controlling factor that contributes to the outcome of any event. A

person may perceive the controlling factor to be an external factor or an internal factor. Learning is influenced the way the people attributed to their past experience of life and thereby affecting their future choices of behavior. For example if they attributed the success performance to hard-work and ability, this means that they tend to have internal locus of control. Or else if they attribute failures to lack of capability or luck then it means they are more inclined towards external locus of control. Consequently, the same person is more likely to demonstrate similar responses in future as the need arises [4]. Researchers have shown that the internal locus of control is related to higher academic achievement [22]. Thus, the success of engineering profession depends on the ability to attract and retain the young people as engineers and this can be done by making them aware of their responsibilities, the worth of their profession and their potentials to build a civilized nation [23].

2.3. Attitude towards engineering education

Attitudes are beliefs and opinions towards an object, event or situation. An attitude toward learning is created when a student possesses curiosity, motivation, and an urge to learn [9]. Attitudes can influence individual’s behavior and attitude itself can modify one’s behavior accordingly in a certain way. Social psychologist studied this phenomenon to measure: the tendency of attitude, and how strongly attitudes predict behavior. Attitudes can be either positive or negative. For example, suppose a person is going somewhere and while on the way, a group of people start talking about his/her appearance in a negative way. This sort of experience can lead to the development of negative attitude against that particular group within that person. Similarly, a positive experience may lead to positive attitude toward the particular Attitudes are beliefs and opinions towards an object, event or situation. An attitude toward learning is created when a student possesses curiosity, motivation, and an urge to learn [9]. Attitudes can influence individual’s behavior and attitude itself can modify one’s behavior accordingly in a certain way. Social psychologist studied this phenomenon to measure: the tendency of attitude, and how strongly attitudes predict behavior. Attitudes can be either positive or negative. For example, suppose a person is going somewhere and while on the way, a group of people start talking about his/her appearance in a negative way. This sort of experience can lead to the development of negative attitude against that particular group within that person. Similarly, a positive experience may lead to positive attitude toward the particular