ABSTRACT
This chapter gives perceived control its power to regulate behavior, emotion, and motivation under conditions of challenge. Based on this assumption, it formulated an integrative conceptualization of perceived control which distinguishes between individual's beliefs about the causes of success and failure, or strategy beliefs, and beliefs about their own abilities to enact those strategies, or capacity beliefs. The chapter examines the aspects of strategy and capacity beliefs which influence children's behavior and emotion, especially in stressful situations. Special emphasis is placed on development. It explores systematic changes in the mean level and organization of children's beliefs, as well as changes in the beliefs which influence motivation and coping at different ages and changes in the mechanisms through which these influences operate. Assessing the effects of changes in beliefs on subsequent coping, behavior, emotion, and motivation may provide a more complete picture of the effectiveness of these important intervention efforts.
