Locus of Control

You will have a high self-efficacy if you believe that you have the ability to complete a task.  For Kobe Bryant, I'll bet a million dollars that he has a high self-efficacy on the basketball court.  Thus self-efficacy is the belief one has for his or her own ability.

Locus of control on the other is the extent where an individual perceive outcomes of whether it could be internally controlled by their own efforts or externally controlled.  He or she will have a internal locus of control if he feels or believe that the situation can be controlled by their own efforts.  A person will have an external locus of control if he feels that the situation is controlled by external forces such as luck.

For example in a test, 

a person will have a high sense of of self efficacy if he feels that he has the ability to ace it.

a person will have an internal locus of control if he feels he will ace it if he puts in effort to study it.

a person will have an external locus of control if he feels that no matter what he does, the teacher might not mark him correctly due to his conduct or other factors such as luck.

A person can also have an internal locus of control and a low sense of self efficacy.

For example, a person with an internal locus of control feels that he will act it IF he puts in effort to study for a test.  

However, he has a low sense of self efficacy because he didn't put in effort for the test.

In conclusion, 

Self efficacy means the belief you have on your ability to complete the task

Locus of control means that the belief of whether you have the ability to control the situation.

In my opinion, usually a person with a external locus of control will generally have a low sense of self-efficacy.
Firstly, they will feel discouraged as they think that they do not have control of the situation and putting efforts are futile.  Thus not having the required ability to aid their confidence.
Secondly, once a person does not have control of the situation, he also will experience a low sense of self efficacy as they do not believe that anything can be done to complete the task.

Locus of Control

You will have a high self-efficacy if you believe that you have the ability to complete a task.  For Kobe Bryant, I'll bet a million dollars that he has a high self-efficacy on the basketball court.  Thus self-efficacy is the belief one has for his or her own ability.

Locus of control on the other is the extent where an individual perceive outcomes of whether it could be internally controlled by their own efforts or externally controlled.  He or she will have a internal locus of control if he feels or believe that the situation can be controlled by their own efforts.  A person will have an external locus of control if he feels that the situation is controlled by external forces such as luck.

For example in a test, 

a person will have a high sense of of self efficacy if he feels that he has the ability to ace it.

a person will have an internal locus of control if he feels he will ace it if he puts in effort to study it.

a person will have an external locus of control if he feels that no matter what he does, the teacher might not mark him correctly due to his conduct or other factors such as luck.

A person can also have an internal locus of control and a low sense of self efficacy.

For example, a person with an internal locus of control feels that he will act it IF he puts in effort to study for a test.  

However, he has a low sense of self efficacy because he didn't put in effort for the test.

In conclusion, 

Self efficacy means the belief you have on your ability to complete the task

Locus of control means that the belief of whether you have the ability to control the situation.

Self Efficacy

Self efficacy, what is self efficacy?

Self efficacy is a an individual's sense of competence that he feels that he has for a task.  People with a higher sense of self- efficacy are less anxious, less depressed, more confident and live healthier lives.  They believe that they are able to fulfill their tasks on hand.

Do you think Kobe Bryant has a high or low sense of self efficacy?

Self-Esteem

A person's self esteem is his overall evaluation of his self worth.


Having a high self esteem influence a person's perception about his abilities.  He may feel good, lok good or even feel smart due to a sense of high self-esteem.  Then again, it can act the other way, a person who look good and is smarter than his peer may also affect his sense of high self-esteem

When it comes to self esteem, an older child with a highly capable younger sibling will feel threatened by his younger sibling to his self esteem.  Relationships in fact motivates self relationships!  Relationships enables surviving and thriving of self-esteem.  When being rejected, our self-esteem lowers and make us more eager for social approval.  This pain motivates self improvement and a search for acceptance.  This is quoted by Mark Leary.  So whether, your self esteem is hurt is on the positive quantum or not, you decide.

Now let's move on to the dark side of self esteem.
People with low self esteem usually have often occur problems in their lives. Such as making less money, abuses drug and are more likely to be depressed.  These factors might be caused by other factors such as poverty and sexual abuse.  In fact people with low self esteem are unable to escape their dark past thus they are more likely to have problems.  It could work both ways..  lowself esteem affects their lives or their lives affect their sense of self esteem..

Unusually high self esteem?
Yes, High self esteem is good, but what if their self esteem levels are too high?
Research and findings have shown that Gang leadrs, teenage men that had sex or even terrorist have unusually high self-esteem..
Now.. why does this suggest?

When high self esteem crosses to an inflated sense of self, which is also know as narcissism, it becomes problematic.  They value more on achievements rather than empathy invoking situations.  Many lack empathy due to their unusually high sense of self-esteem.  Though they are charming and out going, their self centeredness often lead to relationship problems in the long run.  The link between narcissicm and problematic social relations had led psychologist to include it in the 'Dark Triad' of the negative triads.  The other 2 are psychopathy and Machiavallianism..

Now, you know that there are various ways that self esteem can influence a person or affect a person..

Spot-light Effect.

Hey guys, well just before I continue about the self and self esteem.
I would like to share with you guys about the spotlight effect.


Ever had a bad hair day or finding our that you had forgotten about your jean's zippers? Well practically almost everybody have experienced a similiar experience.
In fact, in this kind of situation many of us will be conscious of ourselves even more. Thinking and worrying that everyone has saw what's underneath our zippers or our spikey out of bed hair.
However, as humans it is only normal to commit this spot light effect as we are worried about our self presentation and the impression we leave.
The truth is out of 40 people in a class, less than 10 will take notice of what is actually happening!!

Amazingly, I've tried this and yeah it seems that people are less aware of our mistakes and bloopers than whay we assume them to be.

That isn't me anyway!
So next time, when you found out that you have forgotten about your zippers, fret not! Not as many people as you think had saw what lies underneath!