What does self-efficacy primarily measure?

Self-efficacy primarily measures one's own competence to complete tasks, which aligns directly with the concept developed by psychologist Albert Bandura. It refers specifically to an individual’s belief in their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task. When people have high self-efficacy, they are more likely to set challenging goals and to persist in the face of obstacles because they believe they have the skills necessary to achieve those goals.

This belief in their own capabilities influences their motivation, the amount of effort they put forth, and their persistence over time. In contrast, the other choices do not reflect the core definition of self-efficacy. While competence in using external resources, social skills in group settings, and beliefs about luck may influence performance or behavior in some contexts, they do not encapsulate the primary focus of self-efficacy, which is solely about an individual's perception of their own capabilities.