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Self-Confidence Glossary

25 essential terms — because precise language is the foundation of clear thinking in Self-Confidence.

Showing 25 of 25 terms

Confident expression of one's needs, opinions, and boundaries without aggression or passivity.

Related:CommunicationSelf-ConfidenceBoundaries

A framework explaining how people interpret and assign causes to events and behaviors.

Related:Internal AttributionExternal AttributionLocus of Control

Involuntary, habitual negative thought patterns that arise spontaneously and erode confidence if unchallenged.

Related:Cognitive DistortionsCognitive RestructuringCBT

A CBT technique for identifying, challenging, and replacing distorted thought patterns with more balanced ones.

Related:Cognitive-Behavioral TherapyAutomatic Negative ThoughtsPositive Self-Talk

A psychological state of operating within familiar, low-anxiety boundaries where one feels in control.

Related:Stretch ZonePanic ZoneChallenge

Purposeful, structured practice with specific goals and feedback aimed at improving performance beyond current levels.

Related:MasterySkill DevelopmentAnders Ericsson

A cognitive bias where people with limited ability overestimate their competence while experts underestimate theirs.

Related:MetacognitionSelf-AssessmentCognitive Bias

The belief that intelligence, talent, and abilities are static traits that cannot be significantly changed.

Related:Growth MindsetCarol DweckLearned Helplessness

The belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and learning.

Related:Fixed MindsetCarol DweckResilience

A psychological pattern of doubting one's accomplishments and fearing being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of competence.

Related:Self-DoubtSelf-EfficacyPerfectionism

A condition where repeated exposure to uncontrollable events leads to belief that one cannot influence outcomes.

Related:Martin SeligmanDepressionLocus of Control

The degree to which individuals believe they have control over the outcomes of events in their lives.

Related:Internal LocusExternal LocusJulian Rotter

Direct personal experiences of successfully performing a task, the most powerful source of self-efficacy.

Related:Self-EfficacyDeliberate PracticeSkill Building

Setting excessively high standards and being overly critical of oneself for not meeting them, often undermining confidence.

Related:Impostor SyndromeSelf-CriticismMaladaptive Perfectionism

Deliberately directing internal dialogue toward encouraging, realistic, and constructive statements.

Related:Automatic Negative ThoughtsCognitive RestructuringAffirmations

The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, setbacks, and adversity.

Related:GritPerseveranceAdaptability

The realization of one's full potential, placed at the top of Maslow's hierarchy and dependent on fulfilled esteem needs.

Related:Abraham MaslowHierarchy of NeedsPersonal Growth

Treating oneself with kindness, recognizing shared humanity, and maintaining mindful awareness during difficult moments.

Related:Kristin NeffSelf-KindnessMindfulness

The belief in one's own abilities, judgment, and capacity to succeed across various situations.

Related:Self-EfficacySelf-EsteemSelf-Assurance

An individual's belief in their capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance outcomes.

Related:Self-ConfidenceMastery ExperiencesAlbert Bandura

The overall subjective evaluation of one's own worth and value as a person.

Related:Self-ConfidenceSelf-WorthSelf-Respect

A prediction that causes itself to come true because the belief influences the behavior that produces the expected outcome.

Related:ExpectationPygmalion EffectConfirmation Bias

Evaluating one's abilities and opinions by comparing oneself to others.

Related:Leon FestingerUpward ComparisonDownward Comparison

Encouragement and positive feedback from others that can strengthen self-efficacy beliefs.

Related:Self-EfficacySocial SupportMentoring

Learning by observing others perform a task, one of four sources of self-efficacy.

Related:ModelingObservational LearningSelf-Efficacy
Self-Confidence Glossary - Key Terms & Definitions | PiqCue