Changes in self-efficacy beliefs over time: Contextual influences of gender, rank-based placement, and social support in a competitive orchestra environment

Abstract

This research adds to the growing body of music self-efficacy literature by profiling changes in instrumental performance self-efficacy perceptions of 157 high school student musicians over the course of a 3-day competitive honor orchestra festival in order to clarify contextual influences upon self-efficacy perceptions within a high-stakes music performance environment. Student participants completed surveys, participated in interviews, and were observed by a team of researchers over the course of the festival. Reported instrumental performance self-efficacy beliefs were profiled over time by characteristics of gender, orchestra placement, and influence of competitive environment versus social support. Repeated measures analysis revealed a significant general increase in students’ instrumental performance self-efficacy beliefs over time, with a delayed increase in self-efficacy beliefs of females placed in the top orchestra. Qualitative data from interviews, observations, and open-ended survey responses were analyzed according to the sources of self-efficacy and in relation to statistical results. Findings suggest a strong influence of enactive mastery experience for all students, and a negative influence of competitive environment upon female self-beliefs. Recommendations include providing positive enactive mastery experiences for all students, and teacher awareness of student differences by gender, competitive placement, and influence of social support.

Competitive comparison in music: influences upon self-efficacy beliefs by gender

“…In considering the discrepancy of findings regarding gender in music selfefficacy research, Hendricks (2014) stated, "the difference in age, level of competitiveness, and emphasis in performance rather than learning may [point] to the importance of context as a consideration in measuring self-efficacy belief" (p. 14).…”

“…While our method of investigation is similar to Hendricks (2014) in ensemble style and data collection and analytical approaches, we observed contextual influences upon self-efficacy perceptions in a relatively small, less competitive state festival with only one orchestra, in order to observe potential differences by gender in an environment that was similar in structure yet claimed (problematically, as described below) to emphasize social cohesiveness over competition.…”

“…Students were asked to fill out the Instrumental Performance Self-Efficacy Surveys (Pre-Audition, Pre-Rehearsal, Pre-Concert), which were designed by Hendricks (2014) according to self-efficacy theory guidelines (Bandura, 2006a(Bandura, , 2012 and customized for use in ensemble audition, rehearsal, and performance settings, respectively. As shown in Table 1, these surveys contained both repertoire-specific and context-specific questions, including issues of technical mastery and expressive performance; handling general challenges of the event; playing in a way that would enhance the orchestra; playing at a level that would impress others; and playing at a level equal to that of others.…”

“…Self-efficacy research in music is relatively new; however, recent investigations have shown similar results to those of non-musical domains, suggesting both the strong predictability between self-efficacy perception and achievement (McCormick & McPherson, 2003;McPherson & McCormick, 2006), and the influences of contextual and environmental characteristics upon student self-beliefs (Hendricks, 2014;Martin, 2012;Nielsen, 2004;Ritchie & Williamon, 2010Wehr-Flowers, 2006).…”

Engineering Student’s Self-Efficacy Judgment to Solve Mathematical Problems in the Classroom or Online

“…Thus, due to the relevance of self-efficacy beliefs of students over their learning outcomes, the self-efficacy variable effect on academic performance have been explored through different academic fields, such as in Chemistry (Dalgety & Coll, 2006), music (Hendricks, 2015, Hendricks, 2014, the learning of mathematics (Ozyurek, 2005;Lent, Brown, Gover, & Nijjer, 1996), etc.…”