ABSTRACT
Students often become uneasy when their instructors mention theories and models, perhaps because students lack an understanding of how useful models and theories can be. Whether in educational, occupational, sport, health, or exercise environments, theories of behavior have long been rooted in motivation. In 1977, Albert Bandura introduced his self-efficacy theory (SET) in an effort to describe how individuals form perceptions about their ability to engage in a specific behavior. While measurement of "task efficacy" follows the traditional level and strength approach, measurement of coping and scheduling self-efficacy is somewhat different, in that only the strength aspect is relevant. A considerable literature base exists demonstrating the relationship between self-efficacy and a variety of psychological, emotional, and behavioral components of exercise. Bandura's self-efficacy theory is the most popular theory in the exercise psychology literature and offers tremendous opportunity for intervention. An impressive body of literature has emerged focusing on self-determination theory and a variety of physical activities and populations.
