In this podcast episode, I'm reading Chapter 3 of Stewart Cotterill's The Psychology of Performance and discussing the difference between self-confidence and self-efficacy. Throughout this reading, I interrupt the narrative to offer my input, clarity on certain aspects, and tips and advice on building up your sense of efficacy.
Cotterill defines confidence as a belief in one's abilities to achieve specific outcomes. This belief is crucial as it impacts several psychological processes essential for high performance, such as motivation, effort, and persistence (Bandura, 1997). The chapter differentiates between self-confidence and self-efficacy. Self-confidence is a broader belief in one's general capabilities, while self-efficacy is more specific, relating to the belief in one's ability to succeed in particular tasks (Bandura, 1986).
Sources of Confidence
Cotterill identifies several key sources of confidence, drawing on extensive psychological research:
Past Performance Accomplishments: Success in previous tasks enhances self-efficacy by reinforcing the belief in one’s ability to achieve similar outcomes in the future (Feltz, 2007). This is the most influential source of self-efficacy because it provides direct evidence of one’s capability.
Vicarious Experiences: Observing others, especially those perceived as similar to oneself, successfully performing tasks can boost an individual's confidence. This process, known as modelling, is powerful because it provides a comparative benchmark and inspires belief in one's own abilities (Schunk, 1987).
Verbal Persuasion: Encouragement and positive feedback from coaches, peers, and mentors can enhance an individual's belief in their capabilities. This source of confidence is effective because it can help individuals overcome self-doubt and focus on their strengths (Bandura, 1997).
Physiological and Emotional States: Positive physical states, such as feeling energetic and healthy, and positive emotional states, such as feeling calm and focused, can enhance self-confidence. Conversely, negative states can undermine confidence (Cotterill, 2018).
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