Students’ Self-Efficacy, Causal Attribution Habits and Test Grades
Keywords
self-efficacy; causal attribution habits; exam grades
Abstract
Why do students vary in their performance on exams? It may be that their test preparation is insufficient because they overestimate their anticipated grade. Our study investigates four issues related to performance on a final examination. First, we analyze whether students’ ability to accurately predict their grade and their subjective confidence in this prediction may account for their grade. Second, we ask whether students at different levels of performance vary in their ability to accurately predict their grade, and if so, whether subjective confidence also differs. Third, we ask whether the accuracy and confidence of learners’ predictions are conditioned by self-efficacy beliefs and causal attribution habits, which serve as indices of motivation for test preparation. Fourth, we ask whether different causal attribution preferences contribute to self-efficacy. We use statistical analysis of data from a general education course at a large public university in the United States. Our results indicate that poor performers’ overestimates are likely to be wishful thinking as they are expressed with low subjective confidence. Self-efficacy is a significant contributor to the inaccuracy of students’ predicted grades and subjective confidence in such predictions. Professors’ understanding of learners’ forecasting mechanisms informs strategies devoted to academic success.
Publication Date
9-2-2020
Original Citation
Hamann, Kerstin, Maura A.E. Pilotti, and Bruce M. Wilson. 2020. “Students’ Self-Efficacy, Causal Attribution Habits, and Test Grades.” Education Sciences 10(9), 231: 1-14.
Document Type
Paper
Copyright Status
Author retained
Publication Version
Publisher's version
Rights
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
College
College of Sciences
Department
School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs
STARS Citation
Hamann, Kerstin; Pilotti, Maura A.E.; and Wilson, Bruce M., "Students’ Self-Efficacy, Causal Attribution Habits and Test Grades" (2020). Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 921.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/ucfscholar/921
Accessibility Statement
This item was created or digitized prior to April 24, 2027, or is a reproduction of legacy media created before that date. It is preserved in its original, unmodified state specifically for research, reference, or historical recordkeeping. In accordance with the ADA Title II Final Rule, the University Libraries provides accessible versions of archival materials upon request. To request an accommodation for this item, please submit an accessibility request form.