Overview
This lecture covered the concepts of self-confidence, self-efficacy, and competence motivation, focusing on their definitions, effects on sport performance, and methods for development.
Self-Confidence in Sport
- Self-confidence is believing in one’s abilities, qualities, and judgments.
- Elite athletes sometimes experience self-doubt but maintain belief in high performance potential.
- Sport self-confidence is both trait-like (stable, personality-based) and state-like (temporary, situation-based).
- Confidence is influenced by culture, organization, and socio-cultural forces.
- The self-fulfilling prophecy is when expectations help cause their own fulfillment, positively or negatively.
- Optimal self-confidence enhances effort and performance; underconfidence causes anxiety, indecision, and poor performance.
- Overconfidence or false confidence occurs when belief exceeds ability, leading to poor preparation and performance.
The Confidence-Performance Relationship
- The inverted U model shows performance improves with confidence to an optimal point; beyond this, overconfidence harms performance.
- Expectations, more than actual ability, often determine outcomes in competition.
- Both self-expectations and coach/teacher expectations influence performance and effort.
Self-Efficacy Theory
- Self-efficacy is belief in one's capability to perform specific tasks, and is situation-specific.
- Bandura’s self-efficacy theory highlights mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and physiological states as key sources.
- High self-efficacy increases persistence, problem-solving, and motivation.
- Self-efficacy can differ across tasks and can be developed or improved with experience and support.
- Collective self-efficacy refers to a group's shared belief in their abilities.
Developing Self-Efficacy & Confidence
- Four elements for self-efficacy: successful experiences, vicarious experiences (modeling), verbal persuasion, and emotional arousal.
- Confidence can be built through performance accomplishments, acting confidently, positive self-talk, imagery, and having a plan.
- Coaches/teachers should offer mastery opportunities and positive feedback to nurture confidence.
Competence Motivation Theory
- Competence motivation is driven by feeling effective and mastering tasks.
- Positive affect and increased motivation follow perceived competence and successful mastery.
- Unsuccessful attempts can reduce motivation and perceived competence.
- Social agents (parents, coaches, peers) shape children's competence perceptions through feedback and support.
Psychological Momentum
- Psychological momentum is a shift in cognition, affect, and performance following a positive or negative event, influencing competition outcomes.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Self-confidence — belief in one’s abilities, qualities, and judgments.
- Trait self-confidence — stable, dispositional confidence based on personality.
- State self-confidence — temporary, situation-based confidence.
- Self-fulfilling prophecy — expectation that influences outcomes to match the expectation.
- Self-efficacy — belief in one’s capability to perform specific tasks successfully.
- Collective self-efficacy — group’s shared belief in their capabilities.
- Competence motivation — motivation based on perceived effectiveness and mastery.
- Psychological momentum — change in performance, mood, and cognition due to preceding events.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review course material on self-confidence, self-efficacy, and competence motivation.
- Reflect on ways to build personal confidence using the four efficacy sources.
- Prepare to discuss or apply psychological momentum concepts in future assignments or sports settings.