SELF-CONFIDENCE: The Key to Sport Success Matt Vaartstra University of Idaho Edited from: Damon Burton

What is self-confidence?

SELF- CONFIDENCE DEFINED True Self-Confidence – is a realistic belief or expectation of achieving success. Self-Confidence is: not what you hope to do but what you realistically expect to do not what you tell others but your innermost thoughts about your realistic capabilities not pride in past deeds but a realistic judgment about what you are able to do

SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF-EFFICACY The perception of one’s ability to perform a task successfully. Essentially, situation-specific self-confidence Overall emotional evaluation of self-worth Positive or negative evaluations of the self

Does self-confidence enhance performance?

SELF-CONFIDENCE ENHANCES PERFORMANCE Mahoney & Avener (1976) 1976 Olympic qualifiers were more confident than nonqualifiers. Feltz’ (1988) review found moderate to strong relationships between confidence and performance (i.e., mean r = .54). Research finds a reciprocal relationship between self-confidence and performance.

HOW SELF-CONFIDENCE IMPACTS PERFORMANCE Lowers anxiety by creating positive expectations of success Increases motivation by raising perceived competence Enhances concentration by eliminating distraction from negative thoughts and personal putdowns

What are the three types of self-confidence?

CONFIDENCE-PERFORMANCE RELATIONSHIP Diffidence Optimal SC Overconfidence PERF SELF-CONFIDENCE

OPTIMAL SELF-CONFIDENCE Competence -- possess the knowledge, strategies, skills, and abilities necessary for success. Preparation – sufficiently prepared so you can successfully perform those skills and strategies in a particular competitive situation.

DIFFIDENT ATHLETES . . . Confuse “what is” with what they “wish would be” or with what “ought to be” See themselves as losers and act accordingly Mistakes devastate their competence Self doubts fuel self-fulfilling prophecies that create a vicious negative spiral Focus on their shortcomings and overlook their accomplishments Are underachievers whose confidence limits their development

TYPES OF OVERCONFIDENCE Inflated confidence False confidence

INFLATED CONFIDENCE People who believe they are better than they really are and have an inflated opinion of themselves and their skills. They overestimate their abilities while underestimating their opponents’ skills. Pampering from parents/coaches, playing weak competition, and excessive media hype are its primary causes. Often they are competent but don’t prepare adequately.

FALSE CONFIDENCE Act confident on the outside but inside fear failure and are really diffident. Pretend to be brash, cocky, and arrogant. Difficulty admitting errors and filled with excuses. Difficult to coach because they won’t accept responsibility for mistakes. Normally prepare hard but lack the competence to be successful.

What is the difference between performance and outcome confidence?

PERFORMANCE- VERSUS OUTCOME CONFIDENCE Performance Confidence – performers’ belief that they can execute the skills and strategies necessary to perform well and attain their goals. Outcome Confidence – performers’ belief that they will socially compare well and win the competition.

What are some specific strategies you use to boost your self-confidence?

CONFIDENCE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES General confidence development strategies. Six confidence development tips for practitioners. Strategies for developing and maintaining confidence during competition.

ENHANCING SELF-CONFIDENCE Performance Accomplishments Behaviors Vicarious Experiences Performance Self- Confidence Verbal Persuasion Thoughts Physiological Arousal Control

GENERAL CONFIDENCE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES Performance accomplishment goal-setting – builds competence and preparation Vicarious experiences modeling/demonstrations imagery Verbal persuasion reinforcement – enhances feelings of competence self talk – confidence script Arousal control relaxation/energization

CONFIDENCE-DEVELOPMENT TIPS FOR PRACTITIONERS Develop a systematic goal setting program and log and graph progress Create a personal Hall-of-Fame Design a systematic conditioning program and maximize preparation Use effective modeling strategies Replay past successes and imagine future triumphs Emphasize confidence-building thoughts

How do you maintain your self-confidence during competition?

DEVELOPING & MAINTAINING COMPETITIVE CONFIDENCE Appraise situations as challenges rather than threats Develop readiness, performance and recovery plans to deal with problems Emphasize problem-focused coping strategies to reduce threat Use emotion-focused coping techniques to feel less threatened Focus on more controllable process and performance goals

What is the self-fulfilling prophecy?

SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY Self-Fulfilling Prophecies – occur when coaches’/teachers’ expectations prompt athletes/students to behave or perform in a way that conforms with those expectancies. Rosenthal and Jacobson (1968) found that a group of students teachers believed were “academic late bloomers” made greater educational gains than did a control group for whom they had neutral expectancies. Expectancies of teachers, coaches and parents can significantly raise or lower performers’ self-confidence.

Who creates self-fulfilling prophecies for you Who creates self-fulfilling prophecies for you? Are these self-fulfilling prophecies positive or negative?

SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY MODEL

SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY PROCESS STEP 1 – Coaches Develop Expectations STEP 2 – Coaches’ Expectations Influence their Treatment of Athletes (i.e., frequency, duration, and quality of interactions) STEP 3 – Athletes’ Learning and Performance Is Impacted by Differential Treatment STEP 4 -- Athletes’ Behavior Conforms to Coaches’ Expectations

STEP 1: COACHES FORM EXPECTATIONS Person Cues race gender socioeconomic status size body type style of dress Performance Information conditioning and skills tests previous performance history evaluation of others tryout information

STEP 2: DIFFERENTIAL EXPECTANCIES IMPACT COACHING BEHAVIORS Type, frequency and warmth of interactions Nature of instructional behaviors (e.g., skills taught, difficulty of skills, and persistence) Nature of feedback behaviors (e.g., valence, specificity, and corrective content) Attributions for success and failure

STEP 3: COACHES’ BEHAVIOR IMPACTS ATHLETES’ PERFORMANCE Quantity and quality of learning Quality of competitive cognitions and performance Long-term development

STEP 4: ATHLETES’ PERFORMANCE CONFORMS WITH COACHES’ EXPECTATIONS Athletes most susceptible to Self-Fulfilling Prophecy effects are . . . younger less experienced lower in self-esteem more coachable value success more

SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECIES: POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE? Fostering Learning Beliefs “You really gave all your effort today, and it looked like you had fun playing!” Fostering Capacity Beliefs “You were the best player out there. Great job on the win!” Can we use self-fulfilling prophecies as a positive developmental tool?

How do we maximize positive Self-Fulfilling Prophecy effects?

HOW TO MAXIMIZE POSITIVE SFP EFFECTS Determine what sources of information are used to form expectations. Realize initial expectancies may be inaccurate, requiring adjustment as performers skill changes. Equalize skill-development time across athletes. Provide all performers sufficient time to fully master skills. Respond to errors with corrective instruction. Focus on process as a means to attain product. Develop good coach-athlete relationships. Create a performance-oriented team climate.