The social-cognitive perspective suggests that the best way to predict a political candidate's performance effectiveness after election is to assess that individual's

A) current feelings of personal control.
B) specific political goals for the future.
C) general feelings of optimism about the future.
D) past performance in situations involving similar responsibilities.

The social-cognitive perspective emphasizes the role of past behavior and experiences in predicting future behavior. Therefore, assessing a political candidate's past performance in situations involving similar responsibilities would provide the best indication of their effectiveness after election. Current feelings of personal control, specific political goals, and general feelings of optimism may also be relevant factors, but they are not as strongly emphasized by the social-cognitive perspective.