IndexSummaryIntroductionLiterature ReviewMethodologyResearch FindingsDiscussion/ConclusionSummaryThe article begins by introducing a personal experience that sparked the idea to investigate. We proceed by declaring the purpose of writing the article; that is, the impact of education on an individual's self-efficacy in the social or informal context. The paper proceeds with a review of the self-efficacy literature relevant to the US region. Various links and attributes of self-efficacy with respect to education are studied, such as performance, values, achievement, and socialization. The work of Bandura and other scholars in the discipline was analyzed in the article through a descriptive or qualitative research methodology to establish a connection with social factors such as family, ethical behavior and democracy. The multiple links of the impact of education on self-efficacy in the social context were also demonstrated in the research findings section before finalizing the conclusions and discussions. It is concluded that education has a strong effect on self-efficacy in the informal arena. An individual's ability to handle social issues is stronger if he has gone through the educational process. Research has shown that education is a critical factor in influencing an individual's self-efficacy in the social context. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Introduction After emigrating from Africa to the United States, I was faced with the urge to self-develop. I knew two things were critical to the desired level of self-development. First and foremost, the United States has always been called a land of opportunity where people can dream big. I realized that if hard work was a constant in any task or situation I faced, the chances of success were high; the intensity of the dreams or visions did not matter. Secondly, to be successful in any context, education is essential for an individual. To qualify for a particular job or be accepted into a particular field of expertise, you must demonstrate that you understand the field. My desire to shape my social life lay in education. Obtaining the academic qualifications required to practice a particular profession increases one's confidence and ability to overcome various social barriers such as family, living in a better neighborhood or working in a dream job would be easily achievable. Changing country and school system that year was a challenging experience for me. Once I found myself in a class of native speakers in an American school I felt less confident and more shy. I believe that education has profoundly affected my perception of self-efficacy since the beginning of that year. Therefore, I asked myself: How can education shape an individual's self-efficacy? This article reviews the extensive literature regarding the impact of education on self-efficacy. The article will also consider in depth the implications of education on the individual's view of their external life, such as family, workplace, personal interests. It will further discuss the various concepts of self-efficacy established in the US context and analyze other secondary data regarding the research. Finally, the article will also carry out evidence-based discussions of the impact of self-efficacy on the individual's interactions with the external world.Literature ReviewThis section reviews the various literature related to self-efficacy in informal interaction withsociety. The article is based on insights and theories developed by Bandura in his social cognitive theory. His studies assert that individuals possess a "self system" that allows them to control their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Bandura defines self-efficacy as one's belief in one's ability to perform a given task that will lead to success. Albert Bandura is recognized for introducing social learning theory to the discipline of education (Bandura, 1991, p229). It postulates that an individual's perceived self-efficacy can impact him in a positive but also demoralizing way. Individuals with self-efficacy possess a belief or belief in their ability to engage in activities that can lead to their success in life, unlike those who do not. On the other hand, education is defined as a set of organized socializations. According to Bandura (1986, 1997), aspects of a person regarding his performance are related to his motivation to achieve or succeed in life. In American society, people's self-efficacy is the basis of their prosperity in various social contexts such as sports, education, work as well as family matters. For Meyer, Jain, and Canfield-Davis (2011), education is a critical factor that shapes the mindset of individuals who are in search of their dreams and visions. Through education, a person acquires skills, attitudes and values that guide him or influence his image of society. Most individuals in society who have undergone an educational system are not only confident enough to face life challenges or professional duties but are also more successful than those who do not have an educational background. In light of this point, Americans' views on social issues such as freedom of expression, the right to privacy, as well as their differing views on sexuality and gender, are driven by the impact of education on self-efficacy. Research by Schwarzer (2014), portrays education as a catalyst for a person's self-efficacy. This point is based on early socialization in education, modern values and orientations that allow individuals to realize their purpose sooner. The education system in the United States as well as other regions of the world allows people to develop key areas that they need to be competent in and that will lead to their success. The American education system orients an individual's attitudes, values, and abilities in a specific direction. It would be difficult for an individual to pursue a task if he or she were not conditioned to focus or look in a certain direction. Meyer, Jain, & Canfield-Davis, 2011, refer to the education system as an allocation theory whereby individuals are legitimately classified and assigned positions in society. Social status in society is allocated on the basis of education, for example, medicine, law and teaching. Unsal and Kasikei, 2010, state that this is a matter of laws or rules in the educational process. For example, to teach in a high school, an individual must have a diploma, certificate, or graduate credential from a recognized institution. Therefore, for that person to function as a professional in any field of society, an educational background is required. Without education, self-efficacy in pursuing personal goals such as seeking formal employment, starting a family, and pursuing a desired interest in life will be compromised. Self-efficacy comes from education; an individual cannot advance sufficiently without education as credentialing rulesacademics are part of the key requirements in most organizations (Rabren and Carney, 2014, p29). Self-efficacy is about achievement. According to Unsal & Kasikei (2010) a key outcome of self-efficacy is recognition in society and the achievement of one's goals and objectives. The relationship or link between self-efficacy and education is quite direct. Research by Rabren and Carney (2014) shows the relationship or effects of a person's education on status and achievement. In the American context, the connection between an individual's transition from underdeveloped status to success is simple. As a former resident of the United States, I have observed that access to education has been made possible for minorities, immigrants, and natural-born citizens. By understanding that education plays a crucial role in an individual's success as well as promoting social well-being, Americans have been able to extensively develop their society. Methodology The article relied primarily on qualitative research to investigate the impact of education on an individual's approach to the social arena. The article focused explicitly on literature from the American context. Data from the UK and other developed countries have been a primary source of secondary data to cover gaps in the US context. Peer-reviewed articles on self-efficacy from online sources and other hard copies in the library were also studied. Descriptive research allows the paper to develop deeper meaning from established theories of self-efficacy. However, the topic “effect of education on self-efficacy” has limited content established by scholars. This presents an opportunity to conduct quantitative and qualitative studies in the future. Research Findings Previous research has shown that education facilitates the socialization of individuals into society (Raelin, 2014). Education is key when it comes to democracy. Leadership status in American society is based on a strong value and respect for democracy. Democracy is the right of individuals to choose their own leader. Exposure to education allows the individual to consider critical factors before electing leaders such as his or her performance records, any prior arrests and the reasons behind them, his or her friends and educational background (Raelin, 2014). The quality of leaders elected by an educated person is very different from that of a person not exposed to education. The self-efficacy fostered by education enables U.S. citizens to handle social issues in the most just and equitable way. The ability of individuals to recognize the rights of other individuals, such as freedom of expression and other civil rights, is influenced by education. The second line of research shows that education impacts an individual's self-efficacy on how they view social issues. American society, just like British society, strongly demands the need for individuals to be educated in society. An informed person's approach to social problems and life challenges is different from that of an uninformed person (Schwarzer, R. 2014). A key social area where education has a strong effect in the American region is the family environment. For example, a well-educated family is able to make informed decisions regarding family matters such as household expenses, healthcare, parenting, and family investments. Education also influences crime levels within society. For example, studies have shown that in regions of the United States where the uneducated population resides, criminal activities.
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