PsychologyAugust 24, 2026

efficacious

ef-i-KAY-shus

Definition

Having the power to produce a desired result or effect; being successful in achieving a particular outcome.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'efficacia,' meaning effectiveness or power to produce results. It entered English in the 17th century to describe the capacity to be productive and successful in completing a goal.

In the news

The article highlights the students' need to feel efficacious in their tasks. This sense of being effective is a core psychological requirement that, when satisfied, drives their motivation to succeed in maritime English training.

The psychological pathways to maritime English motivation: need satisfaction, frustration, and learning outcomes

Read the full article ↗

Frontiers

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