POSITIVE SELF-STATEMENT VERSUS SECOND-PERSON STATEMENT: SHORT-TERM IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE AND COGNITIVE TESTS

Positive self-statements are widely recognized as an effective method to increase confidence and improve performance, particularly in the academic sector, and though more disputed, the power of praise is also seen as a factor in predicting the outcome of demonstrated ability. However, the impact of self-statement versus encouragement from a second-person source, or a positive second-person statement, is rarely evaluated. This paper analyzes past studies and papers on the topic of self-statement as well as encouragement, particularly in an academic context; the question “Can confidence and/or performance be influenced by subjective statements?” is also discussed as a basis for further analysis. A small-scale study comprised of 18 individuals performing cognitive and performance-based tasks after affirmation exercises is also conducted. Primary findings show that short-term positive self-statement as well as second-person statements have great influence over participant confidence and impromptu performance quality but have little ability to influence the outcomes of tests concerning skills acquired in the long term.