Results and Comments
The TSCI differs from the other scales mentioned here as its scoring method involves a self-comparison to the
most confident athlete the test taker knows. Whether this alters the construct being measured remains an empiri-
cal question. From a psychometric perspective, it would be of benefit to further investigate this scales convergent
validity with other measures of sport-confidence. Furthermore, the TSCI is likely to benefit from larger validation
studies and factor analytic investigation of the structure. Nonetheless, the TSCI is short, internally consistent, has
demonstrated excellent test /C0retest reliability, and a state confidence version is readily available for comparisons.
Moreover, its relationships with other self-report measures, such as self-esteem and locus of control, mirror those
of the cognitive confidence scales. In its present state, the TSCI is therefore likely to be of considerable use for the
measurement of athletic confidence.
TSCI-LIKE ITEM
Think about how self-confident you are when you compete in sport.
Answer the questions below on how confident you generally feel when you compete in sport. Compare your self-
confidence to the most self-confident athlete you know.
Please answer as you really feel, not how you would like to feel. Your answers will be kept completely
confidential.
When you compete, how confident do you generally feel ? (circle number)
Each question is accompanied by the following rating scale:
Low Medium High
1 2345678 9
Compare you confidence in your ability to perform successfully to the most confident athlete you know.
Note: Contrived example of a TSCI item.
CONFIDENCE AND ITEM LEVEL MEASURES OF SELF-EFFICACY
Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale (MSS)
(OECD, 2005 ).
Variable
For the purpose of this book, the items described below are titled the Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale (MSS);
however no official title exists. Similar to some measures considered in the preceding section, the MSS defined
confidence, or self-efficacy, in terms of Bandura’s (1977) theory: as one’s perceived ability to complete or solve a
specific task, such as an item on a test (see Schunk & Pajares, 2002 ).
Description
The MSS is intended to target a sense of confidence/self-efficacy in one’s ability to solve mathematical pro-
blems. It differs from the other questionnaire measures in that, like the judgment of accuracy paradigm consid-
ered in the next section, it is item-specific. However, it also differs from the judgment of accuracy measures in
that participants are not asked to provide answers to any of the questions. Thus, the scale measures one’s belief
that she/he will be able to solve a particular problem.
The scale consists of eight items from Question 31 of the PISA (Programme for International Student
Assessment) 2003 Student Questio nnaire (SQ). Each question describe s a mathematical problem preceded
with ‘how confident do you feel about,’ rated on a 4-point scale (1 5Not Very Confident ;45Very
Confident ). Scores are summed across all eight items with hi gher scores indicative of greater maths self-
efficacy. Total scores are frequently divided by the n umber of items to obtain an average reflective of the
4-points Likert scale.174 7. MEASURES OF THE TRAIT OF CONFIDENCE
II. EMOTIONAL DISPOSITIONS