The Science of Confidence

Deci and Ryan’s theory that autonomy, competence, and relatedness are the three innate needs determining motivation quality and psychological wellbeing.

Self-concept is the organised set of self-beliefs that directs behaviour. How its hierarchical structure and clarity determine performance and wellbeing.

Self-actualisation is Maslow’s term for the highest tier of psychological development: the drive toward growth, creativity, and authentic self-expression.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: five universal human needs from survival to self-actualisation. Definition, mechanism, and practical implications covered.

Locus of control is Rotter’s construct for whether outcomes feel self-determined or externally driven. Predicts performance, earnings, and mental health.

Intrinsic motivation is the drive to pursue activity for its own sake. Learn the mechanism, why contingent rewards undermine it, and how to protect it.

Impostor syndrome: a pattern of persistent self-doubt and fear of exposure despite objective success. Definition, causes, and evidence-based strategies.

Grit is the trait combining passion and perseverance for long-term goals. Duckworth’s research shows how its two dimensions predict achievement beyond IQ.

Extrinsic motivation is acting for separable rewards or approval. Covers SDT’s regulation types and when external incentives help or hurt performance.