The importance of being theoretical: A commentary on Bandura's “self-efficacy: Towards a unifying theory of behavioral change”

Abstract

Theory is an important but relatively neglected aspect of contemporary behavior therapy. To be scientifically useful, a theory should be capable of integrating available facts in an internally consistent manner, amenable to experimental tests, heuristic in directing the search for new kowledge, and compare favorably with existing theories. Improved theory in behavior therapy would seem to be especially helpful in infusing the field with fresh concepts and procedures and in possibly bringing greater order to the proliferation of increasingly divergent concepts and methods. Self-efficacy theory is evaluated in the light of these different criteria. It is concluded that self-efficacy theory is testable and rich in heuristic value. Its implications for broader conceptual issues, specific research questions, behavioral assessment, and the generalization and maintenance of treatment produced change are briefly discussed. Finally, self-efficacy theory is compared to alternative conditioning explanations of fear reduction methods.