Chapter 15 Confidence

Chapter 15: Self-Confidence

Defining Self-Confidence

• Definition: Self-confidence is the belief in one's ability to successfully perform desired behaviors.

• Conceptual Perspective: Originally viewed as both a disposition and state, contemporary views consider sport self-confidence a social cognitive construct, fluctuating between trait-like and state-like influences.

Types of Self-Confidence

• Trait Self-Confidence: Consistent belief in one's abilities over time.

• State Self-Confidence: Momentary belief in one's abilities in a specific situation.

• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Expecting success can lead to actual success.

• Negative Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Expecting failure can lead to actual failure.

Historical Context

• Significant Moment: On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile barrier (3:59.4).

Benefits of Self-Confidence

• Emotional Arousal: Promotes positive emotions.

• Focus: Facilitates concentration in performance.

• Goal Orientation: Influences the setting and pursuit of challenging goals.

• Performance: Affects effort, strategic gameplay (play to win vs play to lose), psychological momentum, and overall performance.

Levels of Confidence

• Optimal Confidence: Striving hard to achieve goals with strong conviction.

• Lack of Confidence: Self-doubt can lead to anxiety and indecisiveness.

• Overconfidence: Can result in inadequate preparation and a false sense of security.

Case Study: Self-Confidence Example

• Incident: Jean Van De Velde's loss in the 1999 British Open final, noted as one of the greatest 'choke' moments in sports history.

Impact of Expectations on Performance

• Critical Role: Positive expectations can lead to improved performance across various fields, including sports.

• Self-Expectations: High self-expectations can help overcome psychological barriers and enhance performance.

Coaches' Expectations

• Influence on Performance: Coaches and teachers' expectations can significantly affect athletes' performance.

• Expectation-Performance Process: Involves four stages impacting outcomes.

Guidelines for Coaches

• Instructional Design: Create opportunities for all athletes to enhance skills.

• Feedback on Errors: Provide constructive feedback rather than punitive responses.

• Skill Evaluation: Emphasize individual skill improvement over comparative evaluations.

Self-Efficacy Theory

• Definition: Self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to perform a specific task successfully, a more situation-specific form of self-confidence.

Types of Self-Efficacy

• Self-Regulatory Efficacy: Ability to overcome challenges.

• Learning Efficacy: Confidence in learning new skills.

• Decision-Making Efficacy: Competence in making decisions.

• Coping Efficacy: Ability to manage perceived threats.

• Self-Presentational Efficacy: Conveying a desired impression to others.

• Other Efficacy: Belief in the capabilities of teammates and coaches.

Sources of Efficacy

• Performance Accomplishments: Successful experiences boost self-efficacy, failures weaken it.

• Vicarious Experiences: Observing others succeed can boost self-efficacy.

• Verbal Persuasion: Encouragement from others enhances self-belief.

Additional Sources of Sport Self-Confidence

• Mastery: Developing skills through practice.

• Demonstrating Ability: Winning and outperforming enhances self-esteem.

• Preparation: Physical and mental readiness fosters confidence.

• Physical Self-Presentation: Feeling good about one’s physique fosters confidence.

• Social Support: Encouragement from trusted peers and mentors.

• Coaching Leadership: Trust in coaches enhances belief in abilities.

• Situational Factors: Positive environmental factors can boost confidence.

Coaching Efficacy Components

• Capacity to Affect Learning: Coaches' belief in their ability to influence athletes’ learning and performance.

• Coaching Components: Include game strategy, motivation, technique, and character development.

Building Team (Collective) Efficacy

• Pre-Competition Focus: Establish joint perceptions of capabilities.

• During Competition: Foster mutual belief among teammates.

• Post-Competition: Construct team experiences to enhance learning and growth.

Building Self-Confidence Strategies

• Act Confidently: Display and encourage confidence among athletes.

• Respond Confidently: Encourage control over emotional reactions.

• Think Confidently: Focus thoughts on positive performance instead of mistakes.

• Use Imagery: Visualize success and confidence.

• Set Goals: Develop personalized goal achievement plans.

• Optimize Physical Condition: Physical training is crucial for building confidence.

Dos and Don’ts for Building Self-Confidence

• Dos:

  • Maintain a positive precompetitive environment.

  • Set realistic but challenging goals.

  • Provide positive feedback and early success opportunities.

• Don’ts:

  • Avoid sarcasm or negative remarks.

  • Do not criticize inconsequential errors or embarrass participants.

  • Focus on criticizing behavior, not the person.