Belief in one’s capability to cause effects is foundational to human motivation

Evidence

These agentic functions are rooted in the belief in one’s causative capabilities. This core self-belief, called self-efficacy, is the foundation of human aspirations, motivation, and accomplishments (Bandura, 1997). Unless people believe they can produce desired effects by their actions, they have little incentive to act or to persevere in the face of difficulties. Whatever other factors serve as guides and motivators, they are rooted in people’s core belief that they can affect the course of events by their actions. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 75 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Difficult conditions activate underlying weakness beneath nations’ superiority beliefs, motivating self-defense. — Leonard S. Newman and Ralph Erber (eds.), Understanding Genocide: The Social…, 98; Perceived competence is necessary to translate motivation into rescue action — Leonard S. Newman and Ralph Erber (eds.), Understanding Genocide: The Social…, 180; Belief in personal influence shapes felt moral responsibility (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Belief in one’s causative power drives all sustained action #expands (0.95) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 75
• Power as a medium frees influence from contingent motivational and historical preconditions #complicates (0.74)