Question

Individuals with high ___ have been found to stop smoking the moment they decide to do so. What aspect of self is highlighted in this example?

• A. Self-esteem
• B. Self-concept
• C. Self-efficacy
• D. Self-motivation

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To determine which aspect of the self is highlighted in the provided example, we must first understand the context: an individual successfully stops smoking the moment they decide to do so. This behavior reflects the person's confidence in their ability to achieve a specific goal—ceasing smoking.

Each option represents a different psychological concept: 

• Self-esteem: Refers to a person's overall sense of self-worth or personal value.
• Self-concept: Encompasses the beliefs and perceptions about oneself, including attributes and who and what the self is.
• Self-efficacy: Represents the belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.
• Self-motivation: Involves the internal drive to accomplish goals and encompasses the energy and direction needed to achieve objectives.

In the context of deciding to stop smoking and succeeding based on that decision, self-efficacy is the concept that is highlighted. This is because self-efficacy involves the individual's belief in their capacity to execute behaviors necessary to achieve specific performances or outcomes, such as quitting smoking.

Answer 2

Self-efficacy refers to an individual’s belief in their ability to execute actions necessary to achieve specific goals. In this case, the individual believes they can successfully quit smoking as soon as they decide, which highlights a high level of self-efficacy.

Here’s the distinction between key related concepts:

Self-esteem (1): Refers to overall self-worth or personal value — how much an individual values themselves.

Self-concept (2): Refers to how individuals perceive themselves in various aspects of life, such as their abilities, roles, and identity.

Self-efficacy (3): Is about belief in one’s ability to perform tasks and meet challenges, like quitting smoking or completing a project.

Self-motivation (4): Refers to the inner drive to take action towards achieving personal goals, such as the motivation to quit smoking or pursue any long-term objective.

In this case, the individual’s belief in quitting smoking indicates a high level of self-efficacy.