Title

The Influence Of Self-Efficacy And Working Memory Capacity On Problem-Solving Efficiency

Keywords

Motivation; Problem-solving efficiency; Self-efficacy; Working memory

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. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Publication Date

3-1-2009

Publication Title

Learning and Individual Differences

Volume

19

Issue

1

Number of Pages

91-100

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2008.08.001

Socpus ID

76649115440 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/76649115440

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