Self-Efficacy Development and the Force
Star Wars is probably the most recognized movie of all time. Even the opening billboard is distinctive; it is recognizable at once as a Star Wars movie in the first 5 seconds (it is up to six now for those who are living in the Dark Ages). One does not have to be a fan, or even interested, to know at least something about Star Wars, if only the name of the main character (Luke Skywalker).
One reason perhaps for its universal appeal is the concept of the Force. The main premise of the Force is that it is the energy that surrounds all living things which can be tapped to enable any sentient being to do anything it wants. The Force established control. All one has to do is to believe it can be done, and it does get done. Moreover, the potential to tap into the Force is not confined to one race, not even to one life form. It is the ultimate universal remote control.
Of course, the movie concentrates mostly on fabulous feats of physical strength and ability, telekinesis, paranormal manifestations and the occasional mental mind alteration because these are exciting things to watch. But take away all the light-saber flashiness, things flying across the room and the acrobatics, and all that is left is the Force. This is what self-efficacy embodies.
Self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to accomplish a task or an objective. It is a cognitive-based theory which is differentiated from confidence as a social construct rather than a state of mind. The predisposition is more pronounced in others, what can be referred to as having the Force strong within that person. It is a trait that needs to be developed, akin to Jedi training perhaps. In Star Wars, there is no specific training method espoused; just one-hand stands in a swamp and blindfolded swordplay which must have been fun to film during the late 1970s before computer-generated imaging. In any case, the Force becomes a force to be reckoned with when it is fully developed, and one does not have to be a Yoda, either.
A self-efficacious person is just as formidable because it is a task-oriented person with little fear of failure once the decision to act is made. Such decisions are not made arbitrarily or impulsively, however. A self-efficacious person will decide on a course of action in attaining a specific goal based on an analytical consideration of the factors that will lead to success. However, self-efficacy can work against a person and society when goals are not compatible with some moral construct. A person does not have to be inherently moral to develop self-efficacy. In an analogy to the Force, a Jedi will act when it is necessary and will not abuse the Force to harm others. This is the difference between a Sith, who is ruled by the Dark Side of the Force and a Jedi, who is ruled by the Force (which, apparently, is the Light Side).
The story of Star Wars is the struggle for survival of different peoples against an oppressive Empire. In People Wars, the struggle is against adversity in a competitive world which imposes boundaries limiting a person’s aspirations based on social or political constructs. Self-efficacy is not a mystic power that was merely created in the mind of a story-teller; it is the potential in everyone to achieve what seems to be impossible based on a belief that it can be done. Developing self-efficacy is like developing the Force; if it can be conceived, it can be achieved. May the Force be with you.
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