The self in society
Do people find too many good things like freedom and self-determination?
Psychologist Schwartz from Swarthmore University (2000, 2004) claimed that individualistic modern culture does indeed have "excessive freedom", which leads to a decrease in people's life satisfaction and an increase in clinical depression. Too many choices may lead to confusion or what Schwartz called 'free dictatorship'. After choosing from 30 types of jam and chocolate, people reported lower satisfaction with their choices compared to those who chose from 6 items (1yengar&Leppel ', 2000). More choices may lead to information overload and more opportunities for regret.
In other experiments, people were more satisfied with irreversible choices (such as the choice decision in the "final sale") than with reversible choices (when refunds and exchanges were allowed). It is ridiculous that people seem to enjoy and be willing to pay the price for overturning this freedom of choice. Although this freedom "may cause dissatisfaction" (Gilbert&Ebert, 2002). Having something irreversible can make people feel better psychologically.
This principle may help explain a strange social phenomenon (Myers. 2000a): National survey data shows that in the past, people expressed higher satisfaction with irreversible marriages ("one-time transactions"). Nowadays, although people have more freedom in marriage, they show lower satisfaction with the marriages they have.

Summary reflection: Although freedom can go to extremes, personal control is generally beneficial to one's physical and mental health. The study of perceived self-control in psychology is relatively new, but the emphasis on its impact on our lives and the realization of our potential has been consistent. Horatio Alger's book "Suling, My Confidence Leads to True Avoidance. Confidence and self-efficacy will be enhanced by success.

We discovered this idea in Norman Vineent Peale's best-selling book "The Power of Positive Thinking" written in the 1950s ("If you think in a positive way, you will get positive results. This is an obvious fact."). We have also found this idea in many self-help books and videos that urge people to achieve success with a positive mindset.
The study of self-control brings more confidence and hope to our traditional virtues such as steadfastness. However, Bandura emphasizes that self persuasion ("I think I can, I think I can") or intentional flattery ("You're so amazing!") cannot fundamentally enhance an individual's sense of self-efficacy. The main source of self-efficacy is the experience of success. If you have achieved success in weight loss, smoking cessation, or improving academic performance through hard work. Your self-efficacy will be enhanced. A research group led by Baumeister (2003) advocates that "praising all children just because they are themselves is simply devaluing praise." Praise that enhances individual self-esteem is better, "recognizing good performance... When an individual performs well, self-esteem is enhanced by encouragement, and the results alone strengthen good behavior and improve it. Those results are also beneficial to individual happiness and social progress
Summary:
Many studies have shown the benefits of efficacy and control. People who believe in their ability and efficiency, as well as those who have internal control, will cope better than those who have learned helplessness and pessimism. And achieve greater accomplishments.