Athletes, fans, coaches, and sport psychologists all know the power of self-efficacy in sport. With this new book, students, researchers, and practitioners now have a go-to reference on efficacy research packed with psychological strategies for helping athletes, teams, and coaches overcome specific weaknesses. Self-Efficacy in Sport—the first book devoted entirely to this important topic—compiles over 30 years of burgeoning self-efficacy research into a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis.

Self-Efficacy in Sport is written by Dr. Deborah Feltz, who has spent more than 30 years researching the relationship between efficacy and performance in sport. The book is coauthored by two of Feltz’s prominent former students who have established research careers in their own right. The book introduces theory-based and research-tested guidelines and recommendations for designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions to improve self-efficacy, yet it remains easy for readers to find research and interventions that fit their needs. An annotated bibliography allows readers to quickly and critically evaluate all the self-efficacy research cited in the book, which prevents this text from becoming simply a long literature review. Practitioners will be able to put research into practice to serve clients, and students and researchers will be challenged to think critically about the subject and chart the course for new directions in research.

The clearly organized reference breaks down self-efficacy research and implementation into three key areas: individual athletes, teams, and coaches. Part I examines the conceptual nature of efficacy beliefs and their place in sport psychology. Part II explains what is known about self-efficacy, collective efficacy, and coaching efficacy—and why they are vital in sport. Part III translates research into strategy by offering practical advice for efficacy interventions, and it summarizes current critical issues and focuses on future directions.  

Self-Efficacy in Sport contains the following unique features that will engage readers in the material:  

•Chapter summaries tie content together and reinforce the real-world application of concepts.

•A comprehensive annotated bibliography of influential research studies guides readers in further study and provides a background for important research.

•A chapter on future directions of study ensures readers are up to date on established topics and emerging trends.

Self-Efficacy in Sport is a must-have reference for researchers as well as students and instructors in this evolving area. Practitioners will be able to use the information, especially the direct applications, to discover research that translates into strategy.

Deborah Feltz, PhD,is professor and chairperson of the department of kinesiology at MichiganStateUniversity in East Lansing. She has devoted more than 30 years to researching the relationship between self-efficacy and sport performance.

 

Dr. Feltz has written more than 70 publications on the topic. Her dissertation focused on self-efficacy and was published in the prestigious Journal of Personality and Social Psychology in 1982. She was invited to write the first review of her research on self-confidence and sport performance for Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews in 1988. In 1986, while on sabbatical at StanfordUniversity, she studied with Albert Bandura, who triggered her interest in the concept of team efficacy. She is an American Psychological Association fellow, former president of the AmericanAcademy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, and president-elect of the North American Society for the Study of Sport and Physical Activity. She earned her PhD in physical education and sport psychology from PennsylvaniaStateUniversity. Her major professor was Daniel M. Landers. 

 

Sandra Short, PhD, is a professor and chairperson of the department of physical education, exercise science, and wellness at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where she also holds an adjunct appointment in the psychology department.She is the recipient of several scholarships and awards, including the Franklin Henry Young Scientist Award and a New Faculty Scholar Award. Dr. Short is an associate editor for The Sport Psychologist, the founding coeditor for the Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity, and a guest reviewer for 15 different journals. She has coauthored more than 25 peer-reviewed articles, mostly focused on efficacy beliefs and imagery. She has been the advisor to more than 25 master’s degree students. She earned her PhD in the psychosocial aspects of sport and physical activity from MichiganStateUniversity.

Philip Sullivan, PhD, is associate professor in the department of physical education and kinesiology at BrockUniversity in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. He is a research fellow with the Coaching Association of Canada, coeditor of the International Journal of Coaching Science, and codirector of the Center for Healthy Development Through Sport and Physical Activity.

Dr. Sullivan has coauthored more than 25 peer-reviewed articles, most of them focusing on coaching and team efficacy. He coauthored with Dr. Feltz a chapter on applying social psychology to sport teams, which appeared in the book Applied Social Psychology. He earned a PhD with specialization in sport psychology and degrees in psychology and human kinetics. Dr. Sullivan is a certified rugby coach with 15 years of experience.

"Firmly grounded in theory, this book provides a stellar analysis of the influential role of perceived self-efficacy in athletic development and functioning.  It is uniquely broad in scope, offering a masterful overview of the foundation, research, and application of self-efficacy theory in the field of athletics.  Because of the scope and depth of coverage, this book is an invaluable resource for theorists and practitioners alike seeking an understanding of how beliefs of personal and collective efficacy contribute to the quality of athletic life.  But it is about more than sports.  The insights it provides can also serve one well in other life pursuits.  This is a truly outstanding book that has the makings of a classic in the field of athletics."

-Albert Bandura

"The benefits of this book reach well beyond just sports. The techniques are easy to learn and represent tools you will use throughout your career..."

-Doody’s Review Service