ISSN 2736-1578
African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN: 2736-1578, Vol. 10 (2), pp. 001-008, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Examining Gender Differences in Self-Efficacy Beliefs in School Children: Perspectives of Students and Educators
Jane Webb-Williams
School of Education, University of South Australia.
Received 21 April, 2024; Accepted 4 August, 2024; Published 10 October, 2024
Abstract
This small scale study examined gender differences in self-efficacy. 24 girls and 28 boys aged between 10 and 12 years completed self-efficacy questionnaires and attainment tests. The study was conducted in two primary school classrooms in England and the results indicated that gender differences in self-efficacy were significant with boys holding a lower sense of self-efficacy than girls coupled with lower performance. Boys’ self-efficacy scores were significantly correlated with performance but this relationship was lower than that of the girls. Interviews with the two teachers involved in this study showed a lack of understanding and awareness of the self-efficacy beliefs of their students and the impact it potentially had on their students’ performance. Implications for teachers are discussed.
Key words: Primary classroom, self-efficacy, gender, correlation, attainment.