The self-efficacy-performance link in maximum strength performance.
To examine whether manipulating self-efficacy affects strength performance on a bench press, and to see if these situation-specific changes would affect levels of physical self-efficacy, 24 undergraduates untrained in weightlifting were randomly assigned to three groups: 'light', who lifted less weight than they believed; 'heavy', who lifted more weight than they believed; and control, for whom there was no manipulation. Self-efficacy measures were taken before and after the manipulation. Physical self-efficacy was measured using the Physical Self-Efficacy Scale (PSE). 'Light' subjects lifted significantly greater increases in weight than the other subjects. 'Heavy' subjects significantly decreased self-efficacy following the manipulation. Initial self-efficacy was found to be a significant predictor of baseline maximum, while manipulated self-efficacy was significant for performance change. The PSE scores did not change pre- to post-study. The results suggest that self-efficacy is a situation-specific construct which can be manipulated, and which relates to both past performance experience and future performance.
Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.
C M
CM
Wells
D
D
Collins
B D
BD
Hale
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000523:psychology*