The Role of Critical Thinking Components in Predicting Student's Self-Efficacy (Case Study: Isfahan University of Medical Sciences)

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of critical thinking components in predicting self-efficacy (effort, self-regulation, and diligence) among the students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Statistical population of the study included 609 students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, and 361 students were selected via random sampling as the statistical sample. The data were collected using both standard questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire whose reliability was confirmed by experts in the field. The validity of the whole questionnaire was also calculated at 0.90 via Cronbach alpha. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS 20 applications. Results, according to research hypotheses, revealed that both the components of cognitive maturity and engagement, as dimensions of tendency to critical thinking, in the first hypothesis, have an impact on students’ effort. However, the relationship between the component of innovation and students’ effort were rejected. In the second hypothesis, moreover, it was confirmed that the components of innovativeness and engagement can predict students’ self-regulation. That is, there was a significant relationship between the components of innovativeness and engagement with students’ self-regulation. Nevertheless, it was revealed that the component of cognitive maturity has no impact on students’ self-regulation.