Confidence

Confidence is the feeling of belief or trust that a person or thing is reliable. It helps people feel sure about what they can do and believe they can succeed. Self-confidence is a special kind of confidence where a person trusts in their own abilities. This means having a positive belief that they can usually accomplish what they want to do in the future.

Self-confidence is not the same as self-esteem, which is about how much a person values themselves. Instead, self-confidence is closely related to self-efficacy, which is the belief in one's ability to complete a specific task or reach a goal. Having confidence can sometimes be like a self-fulfilling prophecy. People who lack confidence may not try as hard or may give up easily, while those who have confidence may succeed because they believe in themselves, even if they aren't naturally more skilled.

History

Ideas about self-confidence have been talked about for a long time. In 1890, a thinker named William James said that believing in yourself helps you achieve your goals.

During World War I, experts said that self-confidence helped soldiers feel less scared and stay calm. In the 1920s, some believed that men with self-confidence were better at taking care of their families. During the Great Depression, experts found that losing a job could make people feel less confident, especially if they thought it was their fault.

Research

Measures

One of the first ways people measured self-confidence used a 12-point scale. This scale went from describing someone as "timid and unsure" to someone who is "able to make decisions and very sure of them."

Researchers have looked at self-confidence in different ways. Some see it as having two parts: feelings (like anxiety) and thinking (like believing you can do well). Others watch how a person’s body language shows confidence, such as eye contact, posture, and facial expressions.

Factors correlated with self-confidence

Many things can affect how confident someone feels. A person might feel more or less confident depending on where they are or what they’re trying to do. For example, someone might feel confident at home but less so at school.

Doing well at tasks can boost confidence. If someone succeeds at something they practiced, they usually feel more confident next time. Social psychologist Leon Festinger found that people compare themselves to others who are similar, which can raise or lower their confidence.

Self-confidence can change based on the task. Someone might feel sure about cooking a meal but not about writing a book. These types of confidence are related but not the same.

Having confidence helps with many areas of life. It can improve how well someone does in school, work, or sports. Confident people often set bigger goals and keep trying even when things get tough. In sales, confident workers set higher goals, stay employed longer, and please customers more.

Perceptions of self-confidence in others

People often see those who are confident as more knowledgeable and trustworthy. Leaders who show confidence are usually preferred, as they tend to solve problems through discussion rather than force. However, sometimes very confident people aren’t always the most accurate in what they say.

Variation in different groups

Social scientists have found that how confident people feel can change depending on their age, gender, and culture.

In children, confidence grows in different ways than in adults. Kids who are confident might choose to do something that takes longer but has better rewards later. Doing well in activities like music can also boost a child’s confidence and motivation to study. As teens grow up, those who don’t have many friends often feel less confident. Teachers can help build their students’ confidence through positive feedback. Students who do well in school usually feel more confident, and taking part in activities like sports or art can also help build confidence at a young age.

Confidence also changes between men and women. Some studies show that men often feel more confident than women, which can affect decisions like taking risks or competing in challenges. Women may feel less confident after certain experiences, such as seeing ads with traditional gender roles. Confidence can also be linked to how people see their bodies. In sports, confidence plays a big role in how well athletes perform. Support from teammates can help athletes keep their confidence even when facing stress.

Books

Here are some books about confidence:

• The Confident Mind: A Battle-Tested Guide to Unshakable Performance by Dr. Nate Zinsser. Custom House (January 25, 2022)
• The Art Of Extraordinary Confidence: Your Ultimate Path To Love, Wealth, And Freedom by Dr. Aziz Gazipura PsyD. The Center For Social Confidence, May 10, 2016
• The Self-Confidence Workbook: A Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Improving Self-Esteem by Barbara Markway, PhD, Celia Ampel, Teresa Flynn PhD. Callisto. October 23, 2018