Most of the images of reality on which we base our actions are really based on vicarious experience.

Once established, reputations do not easily change.

The content of most textbooks is perishable, but the tools of self-directedness serve one well over time.

Perceived self-efficacy also shapes causal thinking. In seeking solutions to difficult problems, those who perceived themselves as highly efficacious are inclined to attribute their failures to insufficient effort, whereas those of comparable skills but lower perceived self-efficacy ascribe their failures to deficient ability

Forceful actions arising from erroneous beliefs often create social effects that confirm the misbeliefs

In any given instance, behavior can be predicted best by considering both self-efficacy and outcome beliefs . . . different patterns of self-efficacy and outcome beliefs are likely to produce different psychological effects

Such knowledge is probably gained in several ways. One process undoubtedly operates through social comparison of success and failure experiences. Children repeatedly observe their own behavior and the attainments of others