title: Preempting performance challenges: the effects of inoculation messaging on attacks to task self-efficacy.
abstract: Although inoculation messages have been shown to be effective for inducing resistance to counter-attitudinal attacks, researchers have devoted relatively little attention toward studying the way in which inoculation theory principles might support challenges to psychological phenomena other than attitudes (e.g., self-efficacy). Prior to completing a physical (i.e., balance) task, undergraduates (N = 127, Mage = 19.20, SD = 2.16) were randomly assigned to receive either a control or inoculation message, and reported their confidence in their ability regarding the upcoming task. During the task, a confederate provided standardized negative feedback to all participants regarding their performance, and following the completion of the task, participants again reported their self-efficacy along with measures assessing in-task processes. Findings supported the viability of efficacy inoculation; controlling for pre-task self-efficacy, task performance, and relevant psycho-social variables (e.g., resilience, self-confidence robustness), participants in the inoculation condition reported greater confidence in their ability (i.e., task self-efficacy) than those in the control condition at post-task. Relative to those in the inoculation condition, participants in the control condition also experienced greater concentration disruption and self-presentation concerns during the task.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: Institute for Writing and Rhetoric, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America.
authors.forename: Josh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Compton
authors.affiliation: School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Whiddett
authors.affiliation: School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Anthony
authors.affiliation: School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dimmock
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D020377:Self Efficacy; D000068356:Self-Control / Q000523:psychology*; D066107:Social Skills; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult