USING VICARIOUS EXPERIENCE AND VERBAL PERSUASION TO ENHANCE SELF-EFFICACY IN PRESERVICE TEACHERS - PRIMING THE PUMP FOR CONSULTATION

This experimental study investigated whether self-efficacy perceptions pertaining to working with difficult-to-teach children could be incre ased for pre-service teachers using vicarious experience and verbal pe rsuasion. Participants were randomly assigned to groups. The experimen tal group was shown a 33-minute videotape describing and demonstrating effective behavior-management procedures, including supportive teache r testimonials and published research. A control group watched a place bo videotape of similar length detailing society's treatment of handic apped people. Data analyses indicated that the experimental group exce eded the control group on two of four self-efficacy measures. Results are discussed in terms of how enhancing teachers' self-efficacy percep tions might be used to ''prime the pump'' for consultation services.