Indeed there are many competent people who are plagued by a sense of inefficacy, and many less competent ones who remain unperturbed by impending threats because they are self-assured of their coping capabilities

A theory that denies that thoughts can regulate actions does not lend itself readily to the explanation of complex human behavior.

Self-efficacy is the belief in one's capabilities to organize and execute the sources of action required to manage prospective situations.

The effects of outcome expectancies on performance motivation are partly governed by self-beliefs of efficacy

When experience contradicts firmly held judgments of self-efficacy, people may not change their beliefs about themselves if the conditions of performance are such as to lead them to discount the import of the experience

Reasonably accurate appraisal of one's own capabilities is, therefore, of considerable value in successful functioning. Large misjudgments of personal efficacy in either direction have consequences. People who grossly overestimate their capabilities undertake activities that are clearly beyond their reach. As a result, they get themselves into considerable difficulties, undermine their credibility, and suffer needless failures. Some of the missteps, of course, can produce serious, irreparable harm

If there is any characteristic that is distinctly human, it is the capability for reflective self-consciousness.