Effects of self-modeling on self-efficacy and balance beam performance.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effect of self-modeling on self-efficacy and performance of balance beam routines. Subjects were intermediate-level female gymnasts who were randomly assigned to one of two groups, a self-modeling or a control group. For the self-modeling group, self-modeling videotapes were made of each subject performing her balance beam routine. During a 6-wk. period, self-modeling group subjects viewed the videotape of themselves three times a week prior to practice. During this time, the control group and self-modeling group participated in their normal instructional program. All subjects completed self-efficacy inventories and balance beam skill tests at four intervals, a pretest, a 2-wk. test, a 4-wk. test, and a 6-wk. posttest. Although no significant differences in ratings of self-efficacy or balance beam performance between the groups were found, the correlation between subjects' self-rated performance scores and actual performance scores for the self-modeling group was significant (r = .92). This correlation was not significant for the control group (r = .02). This significant correlation suggests that self-modeling may enhance performers' ability to assess their own performance realistically, improving their understanding and use of instructional feedback to enhance performance.