Self-efficacy and literacy: a paired difference approach to estimation of over-/under-confidence in mathematics- and science-related tasks

Subject-specific self-efficacy is a measure of confidence in one’s own ability to complete tasks related to that subject. This confidence does not necessarily reflect actual ability in the subject and can be an over- or underestimate of true ability. We use nationally representative samples of 15-year-old students from the US to measure the degree of over-/under-confidence in mathematics and science, and explore its relationship with student demographic characteristics such as gender, grade and race. Our results suggest that white students consistently underestimate their ability, whereas black and Hispanic students consistently overestimate it. This pattern in over-/under-confidence persists even after controlling for student and school level differences. Implications are discussed.