title: "I am" versus "we are": effects of distinctive variants of self-talk on efficacy beliefs and motor performance.
abstract: Before completing a team-based dart-throwing activity, 80 undergraduates were randomly assigned to one of three pre-performance self-talk conditions: (a) self-talk statements that focused upon one's personal capabilities, (b) self-talk statements emphasizing the group's capabilities, or (c) a control condition where neutral statements were implemented. Participants in all conditions subsequently rated their confidence in their own (i.e. self-efficacy) as well as their team's (i.e. collective efficacy) capabilities, before carrying out the task. Overall, self-efficacy, collective efficacy, and performance indicators were all greatest for individuals who practised self-talk focusing on the group's capabilities, as opposed to individual-focused and neutral conditions. Findings are considered with respect to their novel theoretical contribution to the social cognition literature and their implications for fostering efficacy perceptions and team performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48823, USA. sonveron@msu.edu
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: J Robert
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Grove
authors.forename: Deborah L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Feltz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000523:psychology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D009068:Movement; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012919:Social Behavior; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult