What is the central role of *self-efficacyin self-regulated learning?

The central role of *self-efficacy in self-regulated learning is to provide the motivation and confidence needed to initiate, persist in, and successfully complete learning tasks. Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task. In the context of self-regulated learning, which involves setting goals, planning strategies, monitoring progress, and evaluating outcomes, self-efficacy plays a critical role at each stage. Learners with high self-efficacy are more likely to set challenging goals, adopt effective learning strategies, and persist in the face of difficulties because they believe they have the skills and abilities to succeed. Conversely, learners with low self-efficacy may avoid challenging tasks, give up easily when they encounter obstacles, and attribute failures to their own lack of ability. For instance, a student with high self-efficacy in math is more likely to approach a difficult math problem with confidence, try different problem-solving strategies, and persevere until they find a solution. In contrast, a student with low self-efficacy in math might avoid the problem altogether or give up quickly, believing they are incapable of solving it. Self-efficacy is therefore a key determinant of motivation, effort, and persistence in self-regulated learning.