The Constraining Effect of Pre-Training Leadership Self-Efficacy Beliefs on Change in Post-Training Leadership Self-Efficacy Beliefs

Abstract

In a non-equivalent control group design 280 student volunteers participated in a an examination of the impact of a leadership training on the development of leadership self-efficacy perceptions among trainees. The training was designed to present multiple exposures to four kinds of efficacy information Bandura (1997) proposes influences the self-efficacy estimate. One-half of the group completed a 15-week undergraduate leadership class while the other half completed various undergraduate psychology classes. Pre- and post-training measures were collected. The results showed the training group perceived having experienced more leadership related efficacy information than the control group. A test for main effects of training indicated no significant change in LSE. Those participants’ low in initial LSE showed a significant increase in post-training LSE. The greater plasticity of individuals low in LSE suggests the practical utility of leadership training on trainees’ LSE is influenced by their pre-training LSE.