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

    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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