Subject-specific components of academic self-concept and self-efficacy

Abstract

The internal/external (I/E) frame of reference model posits that academic self-concept in a particular subject is based in part on how achievement in that subject is perceived to compare with achievements in other school subjects. Support for the model comes from Australian, Canadian, and U.S. studies, but not from a recent Norwegian study. The Norwegian study, however, used a self-efficacy measure instead of a self-concept measure. In the present investigation the I/E model was evaluated with both self-concept and self-efficacy responses, but support for the model was found only for self-concept responses. The results were interpreted in relation to the role of frames of reference used in forming self-concept and self-efflcacy responses.