Effectance is a term coined by Robert White in 1959 to describe the motivation of an individual for exploration and mastery of their environment (White, 1959). This concept has been used in the field of psychology to explain the behavior of children when they interact with their environment. Effectance is seen as an innate drive, which is not necessarily dependent on external rewards, but rather a result of a need to be competent and in control of one’s environment.
The concept of effectance is closely related to the field of self-determination theory (SDT), which focuses on the intrinsic motivation of individuals to engage in activities and to persist in the face of challenges (Deci & Ryan, 1985). SDT states that individuals have three innate needs: autonomy, relatedness, and competence. When these needs are met, individuals have the motivation and resources to take on challenging tasks and persist in the face of adversity. Effectance is closely tied to the need for competence, as it is a drive to master one’s environment and to increase one’s competency.
Studies have shown that effectance plays a significant role in the development of children. For example, research has found that children who possess a higher sense of effectance are more likely to take risks in order to explore new environments and to engage in activities that require mastery (White, 1959). In addition, effectance has been linked to higher academic achievement and self-esteem (Harackiewicz, 1979).
Furthermore, effectance has been studied in relation to other psychological constructs. For example, research has found that individuals with higher levels of effectance are more likely to have a stronger sense of self-efficacy (Bandura, 1977). Self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to successfully complete tasks and overcome challenges. This suggests that effectance may be an important factor in the development of self-efficacy.
In conclusion, effectance is an important concept in psychology that has been used to explain the motivation of individuals to explore and master their environment. It is closely related to self-determination theory and has been linked to higher academic achievement and self-esteem. Furthermore, research has shown that effectance is related to self-efficacy, suggesting that it may be an important factor in the development of this construct.
References
Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191-215.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. New York: Plenum Press.
Harackiewicz, J. M. (1979). The effects of reward contingencies and perceived competence on intrinsic motivation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 37(5), 1352-1363.
White, R. W. (1959). Motivation reconsidered: The concept of competence. Psychological Review, 66(5), 297-333.