ABSTRACT

Self-referent thought plays a prominent role in the translation of knowledge and ability into proficient performance. Among the different forms of selfreferent thought, none is more central or pervasive than people's beliefs in their capability to exercise control over their own functioning and over environmental demands (Bandura, 1986). Such self-beliefs affect how people think, feel, motivate themselves, and behave. Thus, with the same set of skills people may perform poorly, adequately, or extraordinarily depending on their self-beliefs of efficacy.