According to career development theories, what is the main purpose of self-efficacy?

Self-efficacy is a key construct in career development theories that refers to an individual's belief in their own abilities to successfully perform tasks and achieve goals. The main purpose of self-efficacy is to enhance personal motivation and belief in one’s capabilities. When individuals have high self-efficacy, they are more likely to set challenging goals, put in the necessary effort, persist in the face of obstacles, and ultimately succeed in their career endeavors.

This concept is rooted in Albert Bandura's social cognitive theory, which posits that self-efficacy influences how individuals approach problems and challenges in their work life. High levels of self-efficacy can lead to increased motivation, better coping strategies when faced with difficulties, and overall greater achievement in their careers.

The other options, while related to aspects of career development, do not capture the primary focus of self-efficacy. Increasing job performance can be a result of enhanced self-efficacy but is not the main purpose. Measuring job satisfaction is related to how individuals feel about their jobs but does not directly tie to the belief in one’s capabilities. Determining career interests involves identifying what individuals want to pursue professionally, but it does not focus on the motivational aspect that self-efficacy does. Therefore