Which construct of Social Cognitive Theory involves the belief in one's ability to take action?

The concept that pertains to the belief in one's ability to take action is self-efficacy. Self-efficacy refers to the confidence individuals have in their capabilities to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific achievements. This element is critical because it influences how people think, feel, and behave, directly impacting their motivation and likelihood of engaging in particular actions.

Individuals with high self-efficacy are more likely to set challenging goals, persist through difficulties, and view setbacks as opportunities for growth. Thus, it plays a vital role in determining whether a person will attempt a behavior, continue a behavior in the face of adversity, and achieve desired outcomes.

In contrast to self-efficacy, expectancies refer to the anticipated outcomes of a behavior, while reinforcement involves external rewards or punishments that influence behavior. Locus of control, on the other hand, describes how much individuals believe they have control over events affecting them. Each of these constructs contributes to understanding human behavior but does not specifically address the belief in one's ability to act as self-efficacy does.