Final answer:
A sense of self-efficacy reflects a belief in one's control over circumstances, which affects behavior, motivation, and the ability to face challenges.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sense of self-efficacy means that you believe you are in control of your circumstances. This concept is important because individuals with high self-efficacy believe that their goals are attainable, view challenges as opportunities, and are generally more resilient when faced with setbacks. On the other hand, those with low self-efficacy tend to avoid challenging situations and focus on negative outcomes because of their doubt in being successful. Self-efficacy is a cornerstone in Albert Bandura's theory of motivation, implying that our belief in our ability to perform tasks affects our behavior and ambitions. In the context of the student's question, choice D, "in control of your circumstances," is the right answer. Julian Rotter introduced the concept of locus of control, which is distinct from self-efficacy. Someone with an internal locus of control would take ownership of their actions and outcomes, while someone with an external locus of control would attribute their outcomes to external factors.