Self-appraisals Of Efficacy Are Reasonably Accurate, But

The Adequacy Of Performance Attainments Depends Upon The Personal Standards Against Which They Are Judged

People’s Beliefs About Their Abilities Have A Profound Effect On Those Abilities.

Comparative Appraisals Of Efficacy Require Not Only Evaluation Of One;s Own Performances But Also Knowledge Of How Others Do, Cognizance Of Nonability Determinants Of Their Performances, And Some Understanding That It Is Others, Like Oneself, Who Provide The Most Informative Social Criterion For Comparison

Ironically, It Is The Talented Who Have High Aspirations, Which Are Possible But Exceedingly Difficult To Realize, Who Are Especially Vulnerable To Self-dissatisfaction Despite Notable Achievements.

Moral Justification Is A Powerful Disengagement Mechanism. Destructive Conduct Is Made Personally And Socially Acceptable By Portraying It In The Service Of Moral Ends. This Is Why Most Appeals Against Violent Means Usually Fall On Deaf Ears.