Title

The influence of self-efficacy and working memory capacity on problem-solving efficiency

Authors

Authors

B. Hoffman;G. Schraw

Comments

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Abstract

We investigated the influence of self-efficacy beliefs and working memory capacity on mathematical problem-solving performance, response time, and efficiency (i.e., the ratio of problems solved correctly to time). Students completed a letter-recoding task (Experiment 1) or an operation span task (Experiment 2). rated their self-efficacy for solving mental multiplication problems, and then solved similar problems of varying complexity. We tested the motivational efficiency hypothesis, which predicted that motivational beliefs, such as self-efficacy, increase problem-solving efficiency through focused effort and strategy use. Experiments 1 and 2 reported a significant effect for self-efficacy on problem-solving performance and efficiency, but limited effects for time. A self-efficacy by working memory interaction occurred in Experiment 1, suggesting self-efficacy is beneficial as demands on working memory increase, These findings suggested that self-efficacy increased problem-solving efficiency through strategic performance rather than faster solution times, and were consistent with the motivational efficiency hypothesis. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Journal Title

Learning and Individual Differences

Volume

19

Issue/Number

1

Publication Date

1-1-2009

Document Type

Article

First Page

91

Last Page

100

WOS Identifier

WOS:000262847600011

ISSN

1041-6080

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