In the proposed case study, the subject, Jordan, has established unhealthy living habits that have caused serious health concerns according to her medical professional. Her biggest problem is a lack of self efficacy. Another threat to her ability to change her perception is self-perception, more specifically self-concept and self-esteem. This review will discuss options to help Jordan achieve psychological and physical achievements. It will be important to develop specific goals and stay away from global procedures and influences that can decrease personal happiness.
When trying to discover methods for helping Jordan, one should understand the problems at hand. Self efficacy is a form of self confidence and is the belief that one can accomplish the necessary tasks to achieve desired outcomes (Gill & Williams, 2008). Jordan currently has a low self-efficacy. She is having a hard time finding confidence and motivation. According to (Bandura, 1982), self perception of efficacy is a cognitive mediator of one’s action. If one has good self efficacy, that person will have the mental desire to do what is necessary to accomplish tasks. Self efficacy is based on three measures: level, strength and generability. Using these three steps is important for the fact that efficacy is so situation specific and two people with the same task may have different strengths of certainty for example. These three steps seem spot on with how efficacy would be measured, and of the three, using strength would really show how confident a person is with themselves. If Jordan were to take a self-efficacy test, it would probably be evident that she has low certainty (strength) in her belief to accomplish tasks. She also may score low on the “level” test, not expecting much performance gain, thus showing her lack of confidence.
Self-perception is commonly defined as a person’s thoughts, attitudes and feelings towards their personal characteristics (Gill & Williams, 2008). Going further into the definition, self concept is attributed to describing ones’ self, while self esteem is the evaluative aspect of their beliefs (Sonstroem, 1984). Normally, a person with low self esteem will say “I am a failure” rather than “I can do anything.” While most research looks at global self concept and esteem issues, I believe more application with specific interest in personal self-worth is needed. Every person is different and needs non-global advice and oversight to succeed, as reasoning for why one suffers from low self-esteem and concept depends solely on personal problems. Jordan must develop the notion that she isn’t a failure and that she will succeed. The problems of self efficacy and self perception are very similar, yet each has specific points to deal with. If someone can increase their self-efficacy, it will help their personal perception and vice versa, both physically and mentally.
Jordan has lost her confidence and will have to develop a more effacious attitude towards herself. I would start by telling Jordan to look at her past experiences of accomplishments and imagery of how she looked and felt. Next, the use of verbal persuasion will help her confidence. If Jordan can hear from others that she has the ability, believes in herself, she will start to feel the arousal of success. It may be undesirable at first, but instead of having Jordan workout in her home, she should go to an area where she can view others exercising. Getting the verbal support of others, makes it easier to push and accomplish difficult tasks that otherwise may fail. When positive results are seen after hard work, the level of mastery and strength of efficacy continue to build and this is the overall goal of achieving a high level of self-efficacy (Bandura, 1982). Jordan was once an athlete and thus will have determination and motivation; all she needs is the beginning steps of positive reinforcement and self-talk to get her going. Once Jordan can get over the hill of doubt, she can increase her efficaciousness. Starting with small positive motivational talks, leading into simple progressive tasks with satisfaction as a goal, Jordan will develop competency and confidence to succeed.
By first developing a sense of self-efficacy, Jordan can then work on her self-perception. Today’s society fancies unrealistic images of body shape and thinness (Gill & Williams, 2008). Many of the same efficacy procedures will help Jordan continually develop self-esteem and self-concept. It is imperative in my belief, to make sure self-efficacy is improved, or it will be more difficult to improve the later two. After the determination and positive belief are mastered, Jordan can then take steps to increase her schemata. Schematas will help retrieve past experiences and allow for the influence of behavior (Gill & Williams, 2008). Getting Jordan to work out with other people present will increase her motivation. If Jordan can identify her exercise schemata, she will meet new friends and engage in activity which will increase physical, mental and social competence. Using self-efficacy steps of visual and verbal reinforcement, Jordan will develop her own personal identity and will say “I am healthy” and “I am confident.” Her self-perception will increase and hopefully, so will her way of life.
The purpose of this write up was to establish ways in which Jordan could develop her self-confidence and perception. Like so many others, Jordan has negative thoughts of herself, believing she has no chance to regain her health, and thus kept digging a mental black hole. Self-efficacy is important in the process of developing self-esteem and concept. A person needs to form specific beliefs that they can achieve expected outcomes. By becoming more effacious, a subject will accept challenges and try harder. This in turn will develop a personal sense of accomplishment, yielding an increase in self perception. It is imperative that a person refrain from looking at “globally” defined perceptions of a person. Each person is different and different levels of competency. Feeling healthy is just as important as physical health, and it takes positive belief in one’s self. With this, all desired goals and outcomes can be met.
Bandura, A. (1982). Self efficacy mechanism in human agency. American Psychologist, 37(2). 122-147.
Gill, D.L., & Williams, L. (2008). Psychological dynamics of sport and exercise (3rd Ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Sonstroem, R. (1984). Exercise and self esteem. Exercise and Sports Science Reviews, 12(1). 123-156.
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