Competence Considered

In this fascinating book, a distinguished group of psychologists presents the latest research on competence and incompetence-real and perceived-from childhood through adulthood. This book brings the insights of social and personality psychology to bear on questions of intelligence; it is also distinctive in showing how the way we perceive our own abilities affects our performances and our mental health.

Well-organized, the book moves smoothly from developmental to social to clinical perspectives. Its preface provides an excellent preview of the work to come, and the final chapter is a delightful summary and commentary, raising further questions, and suggesting alternative explanations or methods of exploration. -Charlotte Ellinwood, Readings: A Journal of Reviews and Commentary in Mental Health

This book will be influential… . [The] chapters are well written and often thought provoking… . [Its] orientation is enriched by researchers who emerged from different schools of thought such as Sidney Blatt, David Elkin, and John Nicholls. Albert Bandura’s overview alone will make this book important. -Choice

An indispensable book for theorists and researchers in a variety of domains. It contains a magnitude of significant and interesting findings that represent a promising basis for future research. -Ulrich Schiefele, Teachers College Record

A timely and thorough summary of recent research ina growing field of behavioral science. -William C. McGaghie, Science