SELF-CONFIDENCE AND BASEBALL PERFORMANCE - A CAUSAL EXAMINATION OF SELF-EFFICACY THEORY

Using path analytic techniques, the causal relationships in Bandura's model of self-efficacy were examined in a field setting. Male intercol legiate and interscholastic baseball players (N = 53) completed self-r eport measures over a nine-game period during the baseball season. Per ceptions of self-efficacy, competitive state anxiety, effort expenditu re, and objective hitting performance were measured. Moderate support for Bandura's model was found in that higher performances predicted st ronger percepts of efficacy in six games, and lower levels of somatic and cognitive anxiety were associated with stronger self-efficacy beli efs in seven games. In turn, stronger self-efficacy predicted greater effort in six games and higher hitting performance in five games. Resu lts are discussed in relation to the ecological validity of previous c ausal examinations of self-efficacy theory, as well as the utility of self-efficacy theory as a framework for investigating the self-confide nce-performance relationship.