The changing signs in the relationships among self-efficacy, personal goals, and performance

The common interpretation of the positive correlation among self-efficacy, personal goals, and performance is questioned. Using self-efficacy theory ( A. Bandura. 1977), it was predicted that cross-sectional correlational resu lts were a function of past performance's influence on self-efficacy, and u sing control theory (W. T. Powers. 1973), it was predicted that self-effica cy could negatively influence subsequent performance. These predictions wer e supported with 56 undergraduate participants, using a within-person proce dure, Personal goals were also positively influenced by self-efficacy and p erformance but negatively related to subsequent performance. A 2nd study in volving 185 undergraduates found that manipulated goal level positively pre dicted performance and self-efficacy positively predicted performance in th e difficult-goal condition. The discussion focuses on conditions likely to affect the sign of the relationship among self-efficacy. goals, and perform ance.